Rhoda Roberts

Rhoda Roberts

"A member of the Bundjalung nation, Wiyebal clan of Northern NSW and South East QLD, Rhoda was recently appointed to the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games as one of 24 Australians selected as Creative Directors, who are responsible for devising components of the Opening Ceremony.

"For the Sydney 2000 Olympic Arts Festival she is co-creative director with Stephen Page of Tubowgule, the official opening ceremony of the Festival on Friday, 18 August.

"Her other role with SOCOG on a part time basis is as Indigenous Cultural Advisor.

"Rhoda was Artistic Director of The Festival of the Dreaming, 1997, the first of four Olympic Arts Festivals. Well known for her work with SBS television as a journalist and presenter for the current affairs program, Vox Populi, she has also worked for Network Ten and ABC Radio as a producer and journalist.

"Rhoda has written and produced several documentaries, and was the first Aboriginal to host a national prime time current affairs program. She continues her radio work as reporter and presenter of the national music program Deadly Sounds.

"Her involvement in the arts is extensive. She was a co-founding member of Australia's first national Aboriginal theatre company, the Aboriginal National Theatre Trust (ANTT) and as an actor/producer and director, continues to work in theatre, film, television and radio.

"In 1998 as co-writer she performed the one women show Please Explain. She is currently completing her first novel Tullymorgan.

"Rhoda works as a freelance journalist and arts consultant/producer, actor, director. Current Board positions which Rhoda sits on are: Sydney Opera House Trust, Darling Harbour Authority and the NSW Australia Day Council. Past Board appointments include: the National Aboriginal and Islander Skills Development Association (NAISDA), the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board, Actors Equity and the Aboriginal National Theatre Trust."

Related Sourcewatch articles

 * Queensland Folk Federation
 * Rachel Perkins