Phillip Waipuldanya Roberts OBE (1922 – 24 November 1988) was a traditional doctor, activist and adviser to the Commonwealth Government of Australia on Aboriginal policies and programs.

Roberts was, born south of the Roper River in the country of the Alawa people.

He was the eldest son of Barnabas Gabarla, a former drover, stockman and saddler who became an evangelist for Roper River Mission.

[3] In 1953, he went to Urapunga Station to repair a marine engine and met Dr WA (Spike) Langsford of the Department of Health accompanying him on a survey of the Victoria River District.

He then worked as a medical assistant for the department and became well known for seeking out Aboriginal people in remote areas with leprosy, encouraging them to come to Darwin for treatment.