Archie Roach & Ruby Hunter Statues To Be Unveiled Today

A permanent tribute to Australian music legends Uncle Archie Roach AC AM and Aunty Ruby Hunter will be unveiled today as the pair receive statues at the Atherton Gardens in Fitzroy.

Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter are remembered as musicians, storytellers, and Stolen Generation Survivors who shared their experiences through their art. Archie Roach passed away in July 2022 after a spell of long illness at Warrnambool Base Hospital, surrounded by his family and loved ones. Ruby Hunter passed away in 2010.

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Yarra City Council confirmed the installation of the statues for the two music icons last September. Uncle Archie and Aunty Ruby’s families chose the park at the Atherton Gardens Estate because it held significance for the couple.

For some time, they lived in the towers at the Atherton Gardens Estate with their sons, and Uncle Archie found his family in the park.

“Not every day a family gets a Statue,” the Archie Roach Foundation said in a post on Instagram about the statues’ unveiling this week (27 November).

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The post continued, “‘Welcome to All People.’ The Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, Roach and Hunter families, and Yarra City Council warmly invite you to the launch of the new commemorative statues to honour Uncle Archie Roach AC AM Gunditjmara (Kirrae Whurrong/Djab Wurrung)/Bundjalung and Aunty Ruby Hunter Ngarrindjeri/Kokatha/Pitjantjatjara.”

The Archie Roach Foundation confirmed that the statues were created by artist Darien Pullen, while Jefa Greenaway designed the surrounding landscape architecture.

The statues were commissioned by Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation in partnership with Yarra City Council. The project was spearheaded by Roach and Hunter’s families and supported by the Archie Roach Foundation, the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria, and the First Nations Directions Circle.

The launch of the statues will commence at 2 pm today. The day will include a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony by Wurundjeri Elder, Uncle Colin Hunter Jnr, and performances by special guests Amos Roach, Shane Howard, Uncle Kutcha Edwards, David Bridie, and more.

You can find a timetable for the launch event below.

As parking in the area is limited, the Archie Roach Foundation recommend that those interested in seeing the statues use public transport. You can get to the Atherton Gardens via the 86 Tram (Gertrude Street), 11 Tram (Brunswick Street), or 109 Tram (Victoria Street).