Indigenous leader credited with coining "Welcome to Country" dies aged 66
First Nations trailblazer Rhoda Roberts AO has died at the age of 66 following a seven-month fight against rare ovarian cancer. Her family confirmed she passed away peacefully in hospital on Saturday afternoon, marking her death as an event that will see tributes flowing across Australia for this esteemed cultural leader and arts devotee who coined "Welcome to Country.
Key Points
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1Rhoda Roberts, a Bundjalung Widjabul Wiyebal Indigenous cultural leader who coined 'Welcome to Country', passed away aged 66.
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2She died peacefully in hospital after battling seven months with rare ovarian cancer and was the first First Nations woman to host an Australian current affairs show.
Developments
Perspectives
Indigenous leader Rhoda Roberts, who coined "Welcome to Country", dies aged 66.
— [Mar 21, 07:29] Indigenous leader Rhoda Roberts... (Smh.com.au)"Rhoda" is the Bundjalung Widjabul Wiyebal cultural and arts devotee who has died at age 66 after a battle with rare ovarian cancer.
— [Mar 21, 07:45] Rhoda Roberts... (Theguardian)"Rhodas" was the first Indigenous woman to host an Australian current affairs show and passed away peacefully in hospital following her diagnosis of "a very unusual type of ovarian cancer", seven months before she died.
— [Mar 21, 07:45] Rhoda Roberts... (Daily Mail)"Rhodas" was a First Nations trailblazer who changed the nation and is being honoured across Australia for her work in arts culture media
— (Perthnow.com.au)Indigenous arts leader Rhoda Roberts has died at age 66 after battling ovarian cancer for seven months; she was credited with coining the term "Welcome to Country" in 1980s Australia, serving as a broadcaster who broke barriers on prime-time television. Her family confirmed her passing following an illness that ended what they described as life dedicated entirely to culture and country.
Rhoda Roberts, a 66-year-old Indigenous cultural leader from Bundjalung Country who coined "Welcome to Country," has died after battling cancer. She was celebrated as Australia's first First Nations presenter on prime-time television for her work in journalism and the performing arts before receiving an Officer of the Order of Australia award.
Rhoda Roberts, a First Nations trailblayer who coined the term "Welcome to Country," has died at age 66 after battling seven months with rare ovarian cancer. She was recognized as Australia's first Aboriginal host on mainstream television and served in significant roles including head of Indigenous programming for Sydney Opera House events and SBS Elder-in-residence before passing peacefully following her long illness.
Rhoda Roberts, a Bundjalung Widjabul Wiyebal cultural leader who introduced the term "Welcome to Country" in 1980s Australia, has died at age 66. Her family announced she passed away peacefully on Saturday afternoon after being diagnosed with rare ovarian cancer seven months prior and highlighted her historic role as the first Aboriginal person to host a prime-time current affairs program.