Rhoda Roberts AO
Actor, Creative Director, Writer, Producer & Arts Consultant
Rhoda Roberts AO is a trailblazing First Nations arts leader, broadcaster, and curator. From directing major festivals to shaping Sydney Opera House programming, Rhoda has pioneered Indigenous storytelling, media, and Welcome to Country protocols, making her one of Australia’s most influential voices in the arts.
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Rhoda Roberts AO is a trailblazing figure in the Australian arts landscape and a proud member of the Bundjalung nation, Widjabul clan of Northern NSW and South East QLD. She currently leads First Nations Programming at the Sydney Opera House, serves as Festival Director of the Boomerang Festival / Bluesfest, and is Creative Director of the Parrtjima Festival (NT).
A highly awarded arts executive, Rhoda received an Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to the performing arts, leadership, advocacy, and promotion of contemporary Indigenous culture. Her accolades also include the Ros Bower Award (2019), Helpman Award – Sue Nattrass Award (2018), Deadly Award for Broadcasting (1998), and Sidney Myer Facilitators Award (1997).
With decades of national and international experience across theatre, film, television, radio, and major events, Rhoda is a sought-after speaker, performer, and consultant. She was the first Aboriginal host of a national prime-time current affairs program, a co-founding member of The Aboriginal National Theatre Trust, and produced the weekly national ABC Radio program Deadly Voices from the House.
Rhoda’s creative leadership spans major cultural events including the Sydney Olympic Games, Rugby World Cup 2003, Athens Handover Ceremony, Vivid Sydney, Dubai Expo 2021, and multiple large-scale festivals such as Garma Festival, Sydney Dreaming Festival, and QPAC Clancestry Festival. She has also directed and written multiple theatre productions, including Yarrabah the Musical, Opera Miricoloa (Brisbane Festival 2009), Natives Go Wild (Sydney Opera House 2019), and is currently developing The Indigenous World Art Orchestra.
In media, Rhoda has worked as a journalist, producer, and host for SBS, NITV, ABC Radio, and Network Ten, creating documentaries and series that highlight Indigenous stories and culture. She is widely recognised for coining the term “Welcome to Country”, establishing protocols that are now standard across arts and media industries.
Rhoda sits on multiple boards, including Welcome to Country.com, NORPA Performing Arts Board, and Screenworks Board, and has previously contributed to Sydney Opera House Trust, Indigenous Tourism Australia, The Dreaming Festival, NAISDA, and The Yothu Yindi Foundation Garma Festival Board.
