The late Aunty Rhoda Roberts AO has been recognised for her dedication to First Nations storytelling and her elevation of Indigenous voices with the 2026 National NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement Award.
The award is given to people who have made profound and lasting impacts on Indigenous peoples across Australia through their work, advocacy, and leadership.
Aunty Rhoda has been honoured for reshaping Australia's arts and culture, inspiring Indigenous creatives, and dedicating her life to shining a light on First Nations stories.
The National NAIDOC Committee chose Aunty Rhoda for the honour before her passing earlier this year, and made the rare decision to grant the award posthumously.
"The Committee felt it was deeply important to continue with this recognition and honour the extraordinary legacy she leaves behind," it said in a statement.
"The National NAIDOC Committee proudly posthumously honours the late Rhoda Roberts AO — a visionary cultural leader whose influence transformed Australia’s artistic and cultural landscape."
Committee co-chair Professor Lynette Riley said Aunty Rhoda was a tireless advocate for First Nations people.
“Rhoda Roberts AO was a force — fearless, brilliant and deeply committed to community and culture," Professor Riley said.
"Rhoda had been selected for this honour, and we felt strongly that it was important to continue recognising her extraordinary contribution. Her legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.”
Fellow co-chair Steven Satour said Aunty Rhoda's legacy embodied this year's NAIDOC theme '50 Years of Deadly'.
"She showed our people that our stories belong everywhere," he said.
"On stages, screens, in institutions and in the national conversation."
This recognition honours a lifetime of cultural leadership and the extraordinary legacy she leaves behindSteven Satour.
The 2026 NAIDOC theme '50 Years of Deadly' marks five decades of the week long celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
Award winners for the remaining categories will be announced on the 4th of July at the National NAIDOC Awards Ceremony in Alice Springs.
NAIDOC Week will run from the 5th to the 12th of July.
