Widjabul/Wiabul woman and arts powerhouse Rhoda Roberts OAM gave a keynote address yesterday at the first day of national First Nations Media Australia conference – CONVERGE.

In a coup for Lismore, this year NORPA’s Lismore City Hall venue was chosen to host the three-day conference.

Ms Roberts is former head of Indigenous programming at the Sydney Opera House and has recently taken up a role as NORPA’s Creative Director First Nations.

Ms Roberts has worked in journalism,TV, radio and performing arts over her career and said it was “wonderful” to have the conference held at NORPA this year.

“In my keynote speech, I talked about my career and the history of the Lismore-based Koori Mail newspaper,” Ms Roberts said.

“My father Frank Roberts Jr was instrumental in getting the Koori Mail started 30 years ago, in 1991.

“He formed the Bundjalung Tribal Society and wanted to see a national Indigenous newspaper established. He was the first chairman of the Koori Mail board, along with all of the other uncles."

Ms Roberts said while she has been working in Sydney and overseas, building her colourful career as an actress, writer and creative director, she always comes home regularly to Bundjalung country.

“As an Aboriginal woman, it was hard to get job in this town,” she said. “Everyone now thinks I’ve moved back to the region, but I’ve been commuting for a long time.”

Ms Roberts said conference delegates this year had a welcome dinner, followed by three days of plenary sessions, breakout workshops and discussions, and a stroll through four Trade Hall exhibitors.

With 200 delegates, 2021 is the largest conference gathering of First Nations media to date.

They will also hear 102 speakers across the conference program, and six member showcase presentations and live broadcast and networking opportunities.

CONVERGE will conclude with the First Nations Media Australia AGM on Friday afternoon.

Blak Cinema in the Quad tonight

Tonight, Thursday, May 6, there will be a Blak Cinema event in Lismore's Quad, hosted by First Nations media and the Koori Mail.

From 6 to 9pm, there will be open air BlakCinema showing films, shorts and animations - and food trucks will also be there.