Born in Alice Springs, Roslyn Weetra moved to South Australia when she was six months old. She belongs to the East Arrernte on her father's side, and to the Nrraunga, Kaurna and Ngadjuri on her mother's side. She was brought up with the Narrunga people from Yorke Peninsula. She lived at Taperoo during her school years, but moved around South Australia after her marriage. She has three children and eight grandchildren.

Roslyn has worked voluntarily in a number of organisations. She played an important role in work with the first Aboriginal parents involvement group in junior, primary and high schools in the Port Adelaide metropolitan area. Her employment was initially in schools then in the public service and later with various other jobs involving Aboriginal issues. Roslyn completed an Associate Diploma in Aboriginal Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in Aboriginal Affairs Administration. Her interests are writing and art which, she says, give her the opportunity to explore and develop her cultural heritage in a more appropriate way. It also furthers her personal, cultural and spiritual growth.