Roxanne McDonald

Roxanne McDonald is an Indigenous Australian actress based in Queensland. She has worked mostly in the theatre, but her screen appearances include the film Australia Day, and on television in the series Harrow and 8MMM Aboriginal Radio.

Early life Roxanne McDonald is an Aboriginal Australian woman, of the Mandandanji, Wangan, and Darumbal peoples of Central Queensland, with Scottish heritage on both her maternal and paternal side. She grew up in a big family, with lots of close contact with extended family.

Career Theatre McDonald had no knowledge of theatre or acting until she was 24 years old, and had no formal training as an actor. While working in an administrative role, she noticed a flyer which was looking for actors to perform in a play which featured the poetry of Oodgeroo Noonuccal, and decided to audition. Her performances span more than 50 mainstage plays, which have included productions by Kooemba Jdarra (Queensland's first Indigenous theatre company

McDonald co-directed Don't Ask What the Bird Look Like, by Hannah Belanszky, at Queensland Theatre in September–October 2023.

Film and TV On the screen, McDonald has starred in the films and Australia Day, and on television in the series Harrow, Grace Beside Me, and 8MMM Aboriginal Radio, and the telemovie Mabo.

She has won several awards, including: 2000: Special commendation Matilda Award 2012: ACPA Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Career Achievement Award 2021: Alan Edwards Lifetime Achievement Award 2020, from the Actors' & Entertainers' Benevolent Fund

Personal life McDonald enjoys visiting Stradbroke Island, where she has relatives.