The NFSA acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waterways across Australia. We pay respect to their Elders, past and present.
WARNING: The Archie Roach online exhibition contains names, images and voices of deceased Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
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Archie welcomes you to the online exhibition
ARCHIE ROACH COLLECTION
Inspired to write the song by Elder Uncle Banjo Clarke, Archie explains the inspiration behind the iconic song that he first performed publicly in 1988:
'I thought, "Here I’m writing for my people – at last a song that tells this terrible thing".
But non-Aboriginal people are coming up to me and saying it meant so much to them, because they didn’t have to be Aboriginal to understand the emotion of being separated from your mother.'
The story behind 'Took the Children Away'
'This history should be told'
'A gift from our old people'
Archie's first concert with Paul Kelly
ARIAs for best new talent and best Indigenous release
'The Songs Grow With You'
Archie and Ruby Hunter were partners in life and music for 35 years before Ruby's death in 2010.
Her love and humour is a source of inspiration for Archie and it was Ruby who encouraged him to share his gift with the world, reminding him 'It's not all about you, you know. How many blackfellas you reckon get to record an album?'
A musician in her own right, her song 'Down City Streets' was included on Archie's debut album Charcoal Lane (1990).
'I had no bed, I had no home'
'I'm his rowdy troublemaker'
'Best of mates and soul partners'
The inspiration behind 'Down City Streets'
'Watching Over Me'
'When one of us shines, we all shine'
I was only 15 years when I met my brother
He looked at me and his face lit up for joy.
'F Troop'
Archie lived on the streets of Fitzroy in Melbourne after finding out he'd been stolen from his family when he was two years old.
His fellow Fitzroy parkies called themselves the 'F Troop drinking school' and they reunited Archie with some of his blood brothers and sisters.
This is the only photo Archie has of himself and his brothers. Pictured left to right: Johnny 'Horse' Roach, friend Darren, Archie and Lawrence Roach.
A song for Archie's brother Lawrence
The people left behind
Reunited with his sister Alma
Family in Archie's work
'Dancing around the jukebox'
Rare early performance of 'Charcoal Lane'
Louis is me and I am Louis.
Singing About Social Justice
Murdered on his 19th birthday
The murder of Louis St John
'Louis is me and I am Louis'
Behind-the-scenes home movie
My aim in life is to pick my people up.
Lift them up as they do to me.
'We Won't Cry'
'We Won't Cry'
The NFSA collection holds documents – like these handwritten lyrics for 'We Won't Cry' – as well as film, photographs, objects and audio recordings relating to Archie Roach.
Music as a healer
'It's mighty to be able to help'
'Music is my therapy'
A circle of life
'Your spirit will no longer be alone'
Archie and friends
Tony Mott's black-and-white backstage photograph of Archie Roach and Paul Kelly, who co-produced Archie's debut album, at the ARIA Awards in 1991 has an immediate and historic feel. It's a delightful portrait of two great singer-songwriters and collaborators.
Photographer Tim Webster captures Ruby and Archie on tour in London in 1993. Their stillness contrasts dramatically with the energy of the street and seems to echo a time when their musical careers were taking off.
Archie Roach portrait, 1990. An absolutely arresting image of Archie that echoes the spontaneity of photojournalism.
Archie Roach often performs with his nephew Dave Adern. This is a wonderfully composed image that captures both performers hitting the same note – a note that you can almost hear.
Jimmy Barnes and Archie Roach in 1993. Even while seated, Barnes brings a physicality to his singing which is effectively captured in this striking live performance photo with Archie Roach.
This photograph by James Penlidis wonderfully captures Archie and Ruby's love and respect for one another.
Front cover of Archie's autobiography Tell Me Why: The Story of My Life and Music published in 2019.
Discover more about Archie Roach, Ruby Hunter and their music in our curated collections.
You'll find online-exclusive interviews, home movie footage, live show excerpts, photographs and an autographed poster.
There's even a Japanese news story about Archie from 1995!
With heartfelt thanks to Archie Roach and Jill Shelton, without whom this exhibition would not have been possible.
Thanks also to Warren Costello from Bloodlines and Anna O'Grady from Simon & Schuster - publisher of Tell Me Why (2019).
The NFSA would also like to acknowledge 3CR radio, Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation, the ABC, Brown Cab Productions, Daybreak Films, NITV, Seven Network, SBS, Tamarind Tree Pictures, Townsville Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation for Media, the University of Western Sydney (Nepean) and Vibe Australia.
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