Vale Rhoda Roberts

So much has been said already about this amazing woman. But I’ll weigh in as well. I first met Rhoda at The Vibe office in Darlinghurst around 2005, a meeting with Gavin Jones (RIP) in his office for the upcoming Deadly Awards often involved Rhoda coming out from the sound booth to ask us to either be quiet while she was on air OR wanting to be involved weighing in on the event OR and in some cosmic way being able to temper Gav’s extravagance. Always entertaining meetings!
She was bouncing around the office with headphones on, always recording something for Deadly Sounds and ALWAYS available to chat.

Working on Message Sticks Festival at the Sydney Opera House from 2005 with Wendy Martin involved Rhoda’s input often. This was the first large festival focused purely on Indigenous arts totally put together by Rhoda in her capacity as Artistic Director and Head of Indigenous Programming at the Opera House. I also worked on the Message Sticks Film Festival where she was always present, giving guidance and advice. This was were I also met and worked closely with David Page (RIP)

The problem is these dates are pretty fluid as a) so long ago before social media (!) b) even my website didn’t have all these details back then.

As memories fade for dates and deadlines, the impact Rhoda had on me was immense. The fact that these three titans of the Indigenous community have left us breaks my heart. All three gave me counsel and guidance. From David repeatedly saying to me “give up the white guilt gurrlll” to Rhoda saying “Darling – can we do this?” which of course we did! and Gavin wanting The Deadlys to bigger and better each time BUT one thing I won’t forget is after an opening night (Either The Deadly’s/ Page 8 or Message Sticks) Rhoda talking very loudly to some high profile Indigenous actors and arts workers in the Opera Bar. In a nutshell she said – listen here you mob – “I can’t do everything, I’m not the only black fella & you need to stand up and take some responsibility I won’t be here forever”

I can’t get that out of my head – I remember it like yesterday. Let us hope that Rhoda’s guidance, intelligence, humour, gentleness and generosity will continue in the next generation. She helped us all so much …..