A STATEMENT BY AMOS AND EBAN ROACH
ON BEHALF OF THE ROACH FAMILY
We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Gunditjmara (Kirrae Whurrong/Djab Wurrung), Bundjalung Senior Elder, songman and storyteller Archie Roach.
Archie passed, surrounded by his family and loved ones, at Warrnambool Base Hospital after a long illness. We thank all the staff who have cared for Archie over the past month.
Archie wanted all of his many fans to know how much he loves you for supporting him along the way.
We are so proud of everything our dad achieved in his remarkable life. He was a healer and unifying force. His music brought people together.
A private ceremony will follow.
We ask that the media please respect the family’s privacy.
Archie’s sons, Amos and Eban Roach, have given permission for Archie’s name, image and music to be used, so that his legacy will continue to inspire.
ABOUT ARCHIE ROACH
Archie Roach AM was one of Australia’s iconic storytellers and cultural figures. As a proud Maar Nation Elder from southwest Victoria on his mother’s side and Bundjalung man from NSW northern rivers country on his father’s side, as a singer, songwriter and author, and as a vocal survivor of the Stolen Generations, Archie has carved a unique path through four decades of Australian culture.
Archie’s career as a recording artist spans ten albums, numerous soundtracks and a number of compilations of his work. He was inducted into the ARIA Hall Of Fame in 2020, and made a member of The Order Of Australia in 2015 for his lifetime contributions to music and activism. Beyond these honours, Archie’s music has won countless awards, including eight ARIA Awards.
Archie’s autobiography Tell Me Why (2020) introduced him as an author. The award winning memoir details Archie’s extraordinary odyssey as a stolen child, removed from his family at the age of two, whose journey to reconnect with his people and understand his identity shaped the artist, activist and leader we know today. Archie’s activism, continues through The Archie Roach Foundation, dedicated to nurturing meaningful opportunities for First Nation artists.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACCOLADES
• Honoured in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list as a Member Of The Order Of Australia (AM) 2015
• Victorian Australian Of The Year 2020
• Inducted into the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll
• Inducted into the ARIA Hall Of Fame and winner of 8 ARIA Awards
• Winner of the 2017 APRA Music Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music.
• Winner of 8 Deadly Awards. Inducted into The Deadly Awards Hall Of Fame in 2013: The Lifetime Contribution Award For Healing The Stolen Generations.
• Inducted into the Music Victoria Hall Of Fame.
• Inducted into the National Indigenous Music Awards Hall Of Fame. Winner of 4 NIMAs.
• Recognised with the Dreamtime Lifetime Achievement Award.
• Winner of the Red Ochre Award from Australia Council For The Arts
• ‘Took The Children Away’ in 1991 won the Human Rights Achievement Award, the first time
that award had been bestowed on a songwriter.
• In 2013 ‘Took The Children Away’ was added to the Sounds of Australia registry in the National Film and Sound Archive.
RIP
