Archie Roach named Victorian Australian of the Year
Archie Roach has created a lasting legacy by using his powerful voice to convey encouraging messages of love, reconciliation and healing, and now he has been named 2020 Victorian Australian of the Year.
VIC News
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Legendary singer-songwriter Archie Roach AM has been named Victoria’s 2020 Australian of the Year.
Announced last night at Government House in Melbourne, Mr Roach was commended for his tireless work within the indigenous community and for his contribution to the Australian music scene.
The powerful voice behind Took the Children Away, Mr Roach has made a lasting legacy encouraging messages of love, reconciliation and healing.
The 63-year-old was forcibly taken from his family at age two and battled alcoholism and homelessness as a teenager before finding his feet.
Awarded an ARIA in 1990 for his debut album Charcoal Lane, Mr Roach went on to pen eleven more albums and toured the globe, cementing his place as a leader in both the indigenous and non-indigenous communities.
He also became the first songwriter to be awarded a Human Rights Achievement Award for the iconic Stolen Generations song.
Mr Roach last night said the accolade was “most unexpected.”
“It’s still a bit stunned. I’m happy and proud to receive such an award.
“I’ve always loved music... Since I was a child.
“It’s just something that I’ve always wanted to do and have loved doing.
“I never thought it would be a career.
“The stories, singing and writing stories about this country, about overcoming certain obstacles - that’s what, to me, songs and music is about.
“It’s very humbling, very humbling.”
Karlie Brand, CEO of the National Australia Day Council, said all Victorian nominees were incredible Australians whose achievements made a big difference to communities.
“The 2020 Victorian nominees are people who are making a positive impact in society and inspiring others,” she said.
Former policeman and Assistant Commissioner for traffic and operations, Raymond Shuey APM, took home Victoria’s Senior Australian of the Year award for his work on road safety and the mental health of police first responders. Mornington Peninsula environmental and litter prevention advocate Josephine Jones was awarded Victoria’s Local Hero award, while youth worker Taya Davies, 29, received the state’s Young Australian of the Year award.
Mr Shuey, who lost a close friend to road trauma when he was just seven, and later his brother and sister-in-law, hopes the recognition will help to change the attitudes on our roads.
“It’s great to raise the profile of road safety.
“Road safety affects everybody in the community.
“We’ve got a tragic situation in Victoria where we are haemorrhaging in the road safety environment and that’s traumatic for many many families.
“We’re trying to save that empty seat for Christmas.
“Individually we can do something about it.
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Ms Davies said it was a childhood best friend, who had Down syndrome, that inspired her to make a difference.
“You don’t always have to be the loudest speaker but just by working hard and setting an example I think that can be what makes people notice, stand up, and make a change.
“It’s just so amazing.
“I never would have thought that I would win something like this just by doing what I do, but I think it’s a huge bit of encouragement for the young people that I do support that their dreams and goals are attainable and that there will always be a safe person in their lives to support them.