Legendary Gunditjamara and Bundjalung songman and storyteller Archie Roach has passed away.
His family shared the heartbreaking news in a statement by his sons Amos and Eban.
"Archie passed, surrounded by his family and loved ones, at Warrnambool Base Hospital after a long illness. We thank all the staff who have cared for Archie over the past month," it read.
"Archie wanted all of his many fans to know how much he loves you for supporting him along the way."
The family said they are so proud of everything Archie achieved in his life, describing him as a "healer and unifying force".
"His music brought people together."
Archibald William Roach was born on January 8, 1956 in Mooroopna, Victoria, before his family moved to Rumbalara mission then Framlingham.
At the age of two, Archie and his sisters were forcibly removed from their family and placed in an orphanage, before he eventually was placed with foster parents to grow up in Melbourne.
His childhood and the experiences of other Stolen Generations became the inspiration for his widely-loved song 'Took The Children Away', which was recognised with the Human Rights Award for songwriting.
Uncle Archie was a widely-loved songman Source: AAP
His debut album, Charcoal Lane, was released in 1990 and won two ARIA's. He went on to release another nine.
Across his life, he was awarded countless honors including being inducted into the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll, Victorian Australian of the Year, a member of the Order of Australia and in 2008 he was given the NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement Award.
Earlier this year, two monuments were erected on the shores of Lake Bonney as a tribute to his long-time love Ruby Hunter and himself.
Archie Roach was 66 years old.
Amos and Eban Roach have given permission for Archie's name, image and music to be used, so that his legacy will continue to inspire.
