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Archie Roach: turning spirit into song and connecting with family Nov 01, 2019

Show notes

Archie tells of writing Took the Children Away and playing it in public for the first time, of his belated reunion with his siblings, and his love story with Ruby Hunter

Widely admired for his powerful lyrics and the grace of his pin-drop performances, Archie has overcome blow after blow throughout his life.

He was just two years old when he was taken from his Aboriginal mother and given to the Cox family to raise.

His foster family brought him up with love, in a house filled with music. But when he discovered the truth about his birth family, Archie's world shattered.

Years later, his song, Took the Children Away, would become an anthem for the Stolen Generations.

As a teenager, Archie found his way to the streets, where he found solace in alcohol, and eventually, met his great love, Ruby Hunter.

So many of the stories of Archie's life have become songs, starting with his debut hit record, Charcoal Lane (produced by Paul Kelly), and they're listened to all over the world.

Writing and performing have helped Archie endure many sorrows, as well as celebrate the strength of his culture.

Along with multiple awards for his music, Archie is a Member of the Order of Australia, and is the 2020 Victorian Australian of the Year.

Further information

Tell Me Why: the story of my life and my music is published by Simon and Schuster

The accompanying CD is also entitled Tell Me Why

Archie Roach Foundation

Di Morrissey and the tragedy on Lovett Bay Oct 31, 2019

Show notes

Di Morrissey grew up in a tiny village only accessible by rowboat, with film star Chips Rafferty and poet Dorothea Mackellar as her neighbours. In 1954, a terrible accident on Lovett Bay changed everything

The writer and the Prince Oct 30, 2019

Show notes

While fleeing the aftermath of a failed marriage, Hilary McPhee accepted a job in Jordan to write the autobiography of a Hashemite Prince. Living alone for the first time, she was plunged into extreme loneliness

Murgon's shining star: Leah Purcell Oct 29, 2019

Show notes

Leah was a teenager working in a small-town meatworks when she discovered her true path in life (R)

The force of Will Oct 28, 2019

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Winemaker Will Rikard-Bell was working at Hunter Valley winery when a catastrophic explosion knocked him off his feet. He sustained burns to 70% of his body, and his skin needed to be almost entirely rebuilt (R)

In the shadowlands: McMafia author Misha Glenny on organised crime Oct 25, 2019

Show notes

As a young man studying in Europe, Misha formed underground links that would propel his whole career. The former BBC correspondent interviews criminals all over the world to understand the all-pervasive webs of modern organised crime

Que Minh Luu doesn’t need a hug Oct 24, 2019

Show notes

How hot young widows, perceptive friends and twitter kept television executive Que afloat after the death of her husband

Tara Westover's escape from ignorance Oct 23, 2019

Show notes

Tara was raised by parents who were radical Mormon survivalists, preparing for the End of Days. Although they didn't believe in traditional schooling, Tara taught herself in secret and made it to Cambridge and Harvard (R)

Life in the shadow of Long Bay Oct 22, 2019

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Patrick Kennedy on growing up next door to some of Australia's most violent criminals (R)

Surviving kidnap in Sierra Leone Oct 21, 2019

Show notes

Aminata Conteh-Biger was kidnapped by rebel militia when they stormed her village and ransacked her family home. A strange series of events saw her released, but then she was still being hunted (R)

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