MUSICAL STORYTELLER

Age: 63 Lives: south-west Victoria

ARCHIE ROACH AM is a singer, songwriter, musician and campaigner for the rights of Indigenous Australians. After being forcibly removed from his family at age two, he has overcome teenage alcoholism and homelessness – and the 2010 death of his beloved wife, Ruby – to become an Australian music legend. In 1992 he won two ARIA Awards for his 1990 debut album Charcoal Lane. He also received a Human Rights Achievement Award for his iconic Stolen Generations song, Took the Children Away – a first for any songwriter. He has since released 11 more albums and embarked on nationwide and global tours, exploring issues that affect Indigenous people in modern Australia. Today he runs the Archie Roach Foundation, which looks to improve opportunities for young Indigenous people through art and culture. Archie’s work spreads a powerful message of love, reconciliation and healing.

The first Aboriginal Aussie of the Year was world champion boxer Lionel Rose in 1968.