The Fred Hollows Foundation is pleased to congratulate musician and social justice campaigner Archie Roach for being recognised in the Queen’s Birthday honours.
Foundation CEO
Brian Doolan said Archie Roach had been a passionate campaigner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders for decades, using his powerful music to raise key issues and instigate change.
In 1990 Fred Hollows and Archie Roach were both honoured at the
Human Rights Awards. Fred won the Human Rights Medal for his work promoting Aboriginal health needs and starting the first
National Trachoma and Eye Health Program. This program was revolutionary, driving Indigenous health onto the national agenda for the first time.
Archie was awarded the Songwriting Award for
Took the Children Away. Through this song, Archie played a fundamental role in gaining broader recognition of the stolen generations. This song made people stop, listen and reflect on the atrocities that were experienced by our Nation’s first people.
Both Archie and Fred worked to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Archie’s work continues through his music and campaigning, while Fred’s is carried on by The Foundation.
The Foundation partnered with
The Black Arm Band in 2009, providing support to help the band reach remote Indigenous communities with positive representations of culture and strong role models. One of those strong role models was Archie Roach.
“Archie is an inspiring man and it is wonderful to see this recognised through his appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia,” Mr Doolan said.
Fred Hollows' ground-breaking work through the
National Trachoma and Eye Health Program.
The Foundation's continuing work to
improve the health of Indigenous Australians.