Encore: Remembering cultural leader and storyteller Rhoda Roberts
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This poignant encore episode of 'Conversations' honors Rhoda Roberts, a pioneering Bundjalung woman and cultural leader who passed away in March 2026 after a long illness. Host Richard Feidler reflects on his personal encounter with Rhoda at a Burns Night event at the Sydney Opera House, where her quiet intensity and visionary work in Indigenous programming became evident. Through a deeply moving 2016 interview, Rhoda shares her rich family history, from her ancestors' forced displacement to their resilience on Cabbage Tree Island and the Song Line journey to Lismore. She recounts her father’s role as a civil rights activist, his influence from Martin Luther King and Gandhi, and the profound impact of his teachings on dignity and defiance of stereotypes. The episode delves into Rhoda’s own remarkable career as a nurse, journalist, actor, and creative director of the iconic 'Awakening' segment at the Sydney Olympics. It also confronts the trauma of her twin sister Lois’s disappearance and murder in 1998, a case that remains unsolved and symbolizes the broader crisis of missing and murdered Aboriginal women on the North Coast. Rhoda’s reflections on grief, survivor’s guilt, and the power of storytelling underscore her lifelong mission to ensure every Australian experiences the vibrancy and diversity of Aboriginal culture. Her legacy is one of connection, resilience, and the unifying power of art and voice.
Rhoda Roberts was a visionary cultural leader who helped shape Australia’s national identity through art, storytelling, and Indigenous representation.
Her father’s teachings—defy stereotypes, be proud, and give people what they don’t expect—became a lifelong compass for Rhoda and her family.
The unsolved murder of her sister Lois highlights the systemic neglect of missing Aboriginal women and the urgent need for justice and community healing.
Rhoda believed in the power of multiplicity—Aboriginal voices must be diverse, including those from the middle class, the mission, and even those with controversial views.
Her work on the 'Awakening' ceremony at the Sydney Olympics was a global welcome to country, blending ancient spirituality with modern spectacle.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
A Meeting with a Visionary
“Rhoda was the head of Indigenous programming at the Opera House at the time. She was at work and I didn't want to break her concentration, but I thought I should just say hi and... Tell her what a brilliant idea I thought it was.”
Ancestral Roots and Resilience
“My father grew up on Cabbage Tree Island and then while he was a young man his father... questioned the mission manager... and so in the middle of the night my grandfather asked the other families on the island would they be prepared to leave?”
The Legacy of a Father and a Movement
“He was an orator, incredible orator. And I think because he came from that background of the missionaries, they did... He was a pastor. There were many people in our families who were pastors...”
The Twin Sister and the Unresolved Trauma
“She was a mother. She was, you know, she actually gave a lot to the community. She was a human being. And look, finding whoever did it is never going to bring her back. But my gosh, I would hate to see another family truly go through what we've gone through.”
The Awakening: A National Moment of Pride
Rhoda describes her role as creative director of the 'Awakening' segment at the Sydney Olympics, a powerful fusion of ancient song, dance, and modern storytelling that celebrated Aboriginal culture globally.
“Where there’s breath, there’s life.”
“She was a mother. She was, you know, she actually gave a lot to the community. She was a human being.”
“You know, I grew up with the old tribal people and I'm not ashamed of it.”
Host
Guest
Rhoda Roberts
person
Lois Roberts
person
Richard Feidler
person
Bundjalung Nation
other
Cabbage Tree Island
place
Sydney Olympics
other
Lismore
place
Sydney Opera House
place
Song Line
other
Nimbin
place
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