1. Art techniques
2. Belonging
3. Biography
4. Discrimination
5. Family
6. First Nations people
7. Grief
8. Human rights
9. Music
10. Sadness
11. Stolen Generations
12. Trauma
13. Visual literacy

Archie Roach’s moving and very personal song, 'Took the Children Away', is from his 1990 debut album, ‘Charcoal Lane’, and was the first song ever to receive a prestigious Australian Human Rights Award. It is said to be a ‘healing’ song; not only was its impact immediate, but it has become one of the best-known and best-loved songs in Australia’s canon of music. The song shed light on a shameful area of Australia’s history and the terrible practice of removing children from their families.

For Archie was a member of what we now know as the Stolen Generations. At only two years old, government cars came to his home at Framlingham Aboriginal Mission in south-west Victoria. They took Archie from his mother, father and family. Thousands of other children, just like Archie, suffered the same fate throughout Australia. Public policy ruled that these children were better living amongst white people and learning white people’s ways. Archie’s lonely childhood was spent in institutions and foster homes. His partner Ruby Hunter was also taken away at the age of eight from her grandmother who lived on the Coorong in South Australia. Archie and Ruby met and fell in love as homeless teenagers and Archie started writing songs to help ease his pain.

In the book, Archie’s iconic lyrics sit alongside evocative illustrations by his beloved soulmate and musical collaborator, the late Ruby Hunter (1955–2010). Ruby’s sketches adorn the endpapers in graphic white drawings on a dark background. Inside the book her richly coloured, spare, and evocative paintings are accompanied by similar sketches. Rare family photos appear at the end of the book. The final image is a painting of a pelican done by Ruby’s sister-in-law, Rosslyn Richards, as a tribute to Ruby. In this special 30th anniversary edition, also included are Archie’s recollections of his family.

The songs of Archie Roach AM (1956–2022) will continue to be loved by fans worldwide, and tell a powerful story of survival and renewal, and the healing power of music. ‘Took the Children Away’ speaks of love and reconnection and has travelled across seas into the hearts of First Nations communities everywhere.

1. Copyright Australia. Reading Australia 2022 Teaching notes by Olivia Lancaster-Byrne for ‘Took the Children Away’ by Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter https://readingaustralia.com.au/lesson/took-the-children-away/
2. Kids’ Book Review 9 October 2010. Anastasia Gonis reviews ‘Took the Children Away’ by Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter. http://www.kids-bookreview.com/2020/10/review-took-children-away.html
3. ABC Education 17 December 2021. Archie Roach ‘Took the Children Away’ Archie Roach explains the story behind the song https://www.abc.net.au/education/archie-roach-took-the-children-away/13680018
4. Reading Time 9 February 2021. Lana Spasevski reviews ‘Took the Children Away’ by Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter https://readingtime.com.au/took-the-children-away/
5. Archie Roach website https://www.archieroach.com/
6. Youtube Warner Music Australia Official music video. ‘Archie Roach – Took the Children Away’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL_DBNkkcSE
7. Youtube 9 October 2020. Archie Roach ‘Took the Children Away’ 30th Anniversary Official video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EA52bupg-BY
8. Australia Human Rights Commission 1997 ‘Bringing Them Home: The “Stolen Children’ Report ‘ Bringing them home: The 'Stolen Children' report (1997) | Australian Human Rights Commission