Rhoda Roberts, the Bundjalung Widjabul Wiyebal cultural leader and arts devotee, has died at the age of 66.
In a statement made via Instagram, Roberts’s family announced she had died peacefully in hospital on Saturday afternoon, having been diagnosed with a rare type of ovarian cancer seven months ago.
“The Roberts-Field family are heartbroken to announce that our beautiful Rhoda Roberts has returned to the Dreaming on Saturday,” they said.
“Rhoda will be deeply missed by all whose hearts she touched, she was an incredible person in so many ways. Words fail to capture the true love, depth, intelligence and warmth that was our beloved Rhoda.”
Roberts introduced the term “welcome to country” in the 1980s, co-founded the National Aboriginal Theatre Trust in 1988 and, in 1990, became the first Aboriginal person to host a prime-time current affairs program.
“She dedicated her life to culture, country and people from all walks of life. She never judged and never discriminated, she always wanted to help uplift people’s lives and provide love and care,” her family said. “She faced so much trauma in her life, but continued fighting and never gave up.
“No one compared to our Rhoda and there will never be another like her.”
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, called Roberts “a trailblazer” who enriched Australians’ understanding of the world’s oldest living culture.
“Rhoda Roberts’ generosity enriched Australians’ lives, her wisdom enlarged our nation’s understanding,” he said in a statement.
“Her grace gifted to all of us a deeper sense of who we are and the extraordinary privilege we have to share this continent with the oldest continuous culture in the world.
“Rhoda made it easier for others to not just follow in her footsteps, but to continue the journey after her final one. That is the power of her legacy and through it, Rhoda will always be with us.”
The minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, said Roberts had been a confidante and mentor to her, when the pair worked as journalists in the 1990s.
“I will treasure our final conversation recently about how First Nations people are now everywhere in the arts and media sectors, in front of and behind cameras and on stage,” McCarthy said.
