WARNING: This story contains the name and image of an Aboriginal person who has passed.
Ellie Lovegrove was pregnant with her first child when she toured with Uncle Archie Roach.
For the young singer, spending time with the legendary songwriter was a spiritually and creatively fulfilling time.
"We were still touring on the east coast when I was big belly up," she told NITV.
"I think spending time with Uncle Archie, singing his songs with him and listening to his stories ... that brings a lot of time for reflection.
"The life I wanted to have for myself, the kind of world that I wanted to bring my son into, and letting go of things that I couldn't change."
The Ngarrindjeri performer penned the beginnings of a song, a verse and a chorus that touched on letting go of things she couldn't control, of "flying" through life on her own terms.
She presented it to Uncle Archie, hoping to get his expert opinion on the incomplete piece, but got more than she expected.
"Uncle Archie had written a verse for it.
"I really don't even have the words to describe what it was like to know that the song had resonated with Uncle ... deeply enough to add to it.
"It just brings goosebumps and tears to me every time."
Celebrating a famously creative life and love
Archie Roach and his late wife Aunty Ruby Hunter at the 1991 ARIA Awards. The couple were partners in life and music for decades. Credit: Tony Mott
It also accompanies the release last week of Songs from the Kitchen Table, an illustrated retrospective of the life and work of Uncle Archie and Ruby Hunter, the beloved Ngarrindjeri singer-songwriter who was also artistic and life partner to Roach.
Lovegrove says reading the book brings to mind the voice of the man she knew.
"It's just like he's still here. In it Uncle Archie talks about how songwriting is; it's like poetry, and reading through his lyrics in this way is really powerful, and it hits deep.
"It's a beautiful read."
The book includes pictures, lyrics, stories and reminiscences from those who knew the couple. It represents the journeys of two giants of culture and social activism.
"Uncle Archie has touched lives all over the world with his presence, his perspective on life, the kind and gentle spirit that he was," said Lovegrove.
"When he was singing or talking he just he captured you ... He could be singing to an audience of hundreds and thousands of people, but everything he said always touches people's hearts in one way or another."
For the younger performer, being part of that journey is a special achievement.
"As a little girl growing up, watching Uncle Archie on TV and hearing the community talk about this man who speaks the truth of our people ... was always like, 'This man's changing the world.'
"To grow up and actually meet him and then to be working with him has been a great honour."
