By Mikayla van Loon
Six months following his death, Archie Roach OAM received the highest Order of Australia recognition for his contribution to the performing arts and music industry.
Roach was posthumously made a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for his “eminent service to the performing arts as a songwriter and musician, to Indigenous rights and reconciliation, and through support for emerging First Nations artists.”
The Gunditjmara (Kirrae Whurrong/Djab Wurrung), Bundjalung Senior Elder died in hospital aged 66 in July last year after a long illness.
While born in Mooroopna, Roach spent much of his young life with foster parents, Alex and Dulcie Cox, living in both Mount Evelyn and Mooroolbark and attending Lilydale High School.
Some of his achievements recognised were the establishment of the Archie Roach Foundation which he directed from 2014 to 2022, supporter of Justice Action, patron of Parkville College’s Melbourne Youth Justice Centre, author of Tell Me Why and the many albums produced and recorded since 2016.
The AC award joins a list of honours Roach received during his life including Member of the Order of Australia in 2015, Best Blues and Roots Album (The Songs of Charcoal Lane) at the ARIA Music Awards in 2021, 2020 Victorian Australian of the Year, inductee in the ARIA Music Hall of Fame for 2020, among many other musical achievements.
“We talked about these sorts of things and I remember him saying you know, it’s not about the person that’s being awarded, it’s about the community,” fellow Indigenous singer-songwriter Gina Williams told the ABC News in an interview.
“I think he would’ve been really chuffed.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese thanked all award recipients and nominees at the Australian of the Year Awards ceremony on Wednesday 25 January.
“We gather on the eve of our national day to honour and celebrate those who represent the very best of our national character. Global stars and local heroes, young Australians and those rich in years, people of all backgrounds and from every part of our continent,” he said.
“A diverse group united by a common quality – they inspire us. They inspire us each and every day by living and serving and upholding our nations’ values.
“Our compassion and generosity, our courage and initiative, our ingrained sense of fairness and our deep belief in service to community.”
