Today I rise to pay tribute to one of Australia’s most treasured performers, Indigenous musician and song-writer Archie Roach. I just want to acknowledge the lovely tribute from the member opposite, the member for Perth, who saw Archie Roach many times. Colleagues on both sides have spoken about Archie’s life and career, a survivor of the stolen generation who battled with both alcoholism and homelessness. Archie’s was no easy life. Yet, when he met the love of his life, Ruby Hunter, another child of the stolen generation, he said she changed his life forever.
With Ruby by his side, Archie went on to write music that in turn changed the lives of Australians. Archie attributed his love of music to his foster family, the Coxes. He used to flick through his foster-father Alex’s vinyl records. But it was his need for healing that inspired his deepest passion for music. It helped him heal from the trauma of his youth. If Roach’s melodies came from a place of suffering, his lyrics gave voice to the thousands of Indigenous Australians who’d been removed from their families as part of the stolen generation.
I was privileged to witness one of Archie’s last performances at Reconciliation Australia’s Indigenous Governance Awards in June It was actually the very first event I attended as the shadow minister for Indigenous Australians. I want to thank Reconciliation Australia’s CEO, Karen Mundine, for holding that memorable event; and Andrew Meehan both for his work in pulling the event together and for his assistance in reminding me of some of the songs Archie played that night.
When Archie stepped forward to perform, it was clear he wasn’t well. He took a while to start. He was dependent on the oxygen, which had been a feature of his life in recent years. But, when he did start, the room had anticipated the music; they’d anticipated his voice, with his deep soulfulness and raspy voice. The simplicity of his profound lyrics was mesmerising. With a captive audience, Archie performed three songs from his repertoire: ‘One Song’, ‘Small Child’, and ‘Old Mission Road’. ‘Old Mission Road’ touched me deep. It’s a blues song about losing your parents. Seeing him as sick as he was, singing the song evocative of the pain and loss of a member of the stolen generation, really got to me.
The words would move anyone who had experienced the loss of a parent. If I can take the indulgence of the House, I’d like to take a moment to read the lyrics for the benefit of the House:
Oh I wish I had grown
With my mother back home
Cause I miss her sweet kisses and her smile
And when I’m alone
I wish I had known
My mother for just a while
Won’t you walk with me, darling
Just a couple of miles
Won’t you tell me the stories
Of when I was a child
I’d be so happy
As the stories unfold
Won’t you walk with me, darling
Down that old mission road
Oh I wish I’d gone fishing
With my father, I’m still missing
And the touch of his strong, gentle hands
Now I’m gone from the mission
Cause someone’s decision
Kept me away from that man
Won’t you walk with me, darling
Just a couple of miles
Won’t you tell me the storiеs
Of when I was a child
I’d be so happy
As the storiеs unfold
Won’t you walk with me, darling
Down that old mission road
So kiss your mother goodnight
Hold your father tight
And keep your family near
Or else one day they might
Slowly fade out of sight
Just reflections in those tears
Won’t you walk with me, darling
Just a couple of miles
Won’t you tell me the stories
Of when I was a child
I’d be so happy
As the stories unfold
Won’t you walk with me, darling
Down that old mission road
I extend my deepest condolences to the Roach family: to Archie’s two sons, Amos and Eban, and to Archie’s three foster kids, Kriss, Arthur and Terrence. May his memory be a blessing.
Australians will continue to be inspired by Archie Roach’s musical legacy for generations to come.
