Archie Roach State Memorial Service Happening Tonight

Archie Roach will be honoured tonight in Melbourne with a state memorial service at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.

The service will be a free ticketed event, but for those who can't attend, don't worry: ABC have you covered with streams on ABC News Channel, iview and ABC Radio Melbourne.

Proud Kuku Yalanji, Jirrbal and Zenadh Kes artist Kee'ahn Bindol told the ABC, "My mum and dad would play his music on the weekends. It was like a ritual every Saturday [to listen] to Uncle Archie's voice." 

The 2020 Archie Roach Foundation Award for Emerging Talent winner added, "Uncle Archie was a part of our story, so it'll be beautiful commemorating his existence, his impact and his work." Kee'ahn will join an ultra-talented roster of artists paying tribute to Archie Roach tonight, including Emma Donovan, Paul Kelly and Briggs. Tune in from 6 pm for the performances. 

Victorian Premier Dan Andrews confirmed that legendary Gunditjmara (Kirrae Whurrong/Djab Wurrung), Bundjalung songwriter and storyteller Archie Roach, would be given a state funeral today from last month.

The influential figure passed away in July, following a spell of long illness at Warrnambool Base Hospital, surrounded by his family and loved ones.

The news was revealed via a statement posted to his Facebook page from Amos and Eban Roach on behalf of the Roach Family.

"Archie wanted all of his many fans to know how much he loves you for supporting him along the way,” the statement said.

"We are so proud of everything our dad achieved in his remarkable life. He was a healer and unifying force. His music brought people together.”

Roach's catalogue and activism took him to considerable heights, including being inducted into the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll in 2011. He was also honoured in the Queen's Birthday Honours list as a Member of the Order of Australia and was named 2020 Victorian Australian of the year.

This year, two pillar-shaped monuments were erected on the shores of Lake Bonney at Barmera to honour him and his wife, Ruby Hunter, who passed away in 2010.

Back in August, family, friends and fans paid tribute to the legend, gathering in the streets of Collingwood, Fitzroy and St Kilda as Archie Roach, escorted by the Southern Warriors Aboriginal Motorcycle Club, Amos and Eban Roach, made one final journey through the streets of Narrm/Melbourne on his way to Warrnambool, his final resting place.

Noongar woman Bumpy won the Archie Roach Foundation Award for Emerging Talent at this year's Music Victoria Awards. On the night, there wasn’t a dry eye in sight as Uncle Kutcha Edwards performed his own rendition of Old Mission Road, paying tribute to one of the most influential artists that Australia has ever produced - the late, great Uncle Archie Roach - before the state of Victoria looked back at the critical music figures that we lost in 2022. While he didn't intend to perform, we're grateful he did.