In consideration of Indigenous cultural protocols, SBS/NITV has gained permission to use and reproduce Rhoda's name, voice and image. We are doing so in line with her wishes. We also continue to consult with her family and community.
We knew Rhoda was unwell — at times, very unwell.
She had been quietly battling for a few months, which made her decision to go ahead with her intimate one-woman performance of My Cousin Frank at the Sydney Opera House last December all the more extraordinary — and deeply courageous.
But that was Rhoda Robert AO: unstoppable.
My Cousin Frank was a powerful act of truth-telling and remembrance.
It brought to light the untold story of Rhoda’s first cousin, Frank Roberts, a little-known Aboriginal boxer who represented Australia at the 1964 Summer Olympics.
‘Honest Frank’ Roberts was a Widjabul Wia-bal and Githabul man from Cubawee (a self-managed Aboriginal reserve outside of Lismore) who became Australia’s first Aboriginal Olympian.
In My Cousin Frank, Rhoda traced Frank’s journey to the 1964 Tokyo Olympics as a boxer, his fight for justice without full citizen rights in his own country, and his resilience in the face of racism, oppression and restrictive government policy.
Rhoda allowed NITV to record her final show — a powerful and deeply moving performance at the Sydney Opera House in December last year. It would become her last time on stage; within a week she was hospitalised, and just weeks later, she entered palliative care.
It was a one-woman performance, humorously and staunchly impersonating family members, retelling childhood adventures, and speaking directly to the audience about Frank, her family, her father, her childhood and Cubawee Aboriginal Reserve.
Through her storytelling, Rhoda didn’t just honour Frank’s achievements in the ring, she restored his place in history, carrying his story with pride, love, and an unshakeable sense of responsibility.
My Cousin Frank is intimate, historical, political, and deeply human. It’s a raw and courageous work of theatre.
We laughed; we cried. We felt the pride, the grief, the injustice—and the love.
It’s a must watch.
My Cousin Frank is part of NITV’s curated collection of programs honouring the passing of Rhoda Roberts AO.
Airing nightly from Tuesday 31 March to Monday 6 April, the collection honours the breadth of Rhoda’s work as one of Australia’s most influential leaders in the arts and creative sector and recognises her pioneering role in strengthening First Nations representation.
It offers Australians an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate her remarkable achievements and enduring cultural impact, following her passing on Saturday 21 March, aged 66.
My Cousin Frank - A World Premiere on Thursday 2 April at 8:30pm on NITV and SBS On Demand.
