Statues of Uncle Archie Roach AM AC (Gunditjmara/Bundjalung) and Aunty Ruby Hunter (Ngarrindjeri/Kukatha/Pitjantjatjara) will soon be installed in Fitzroy’s Atherton Gardens Estate.
Atherton Gardens has always been a popular and safe gathering place for First Nations people, including Uncle Archie and Aunty Ruby.
The park is an important meeting place for First Nations visitors to the area looking to connect with Melbourne’s First Nations community.
In 2018, it became the home of the Stolen Generations Marker ‘Remember Me’ by First Nations artist Reko Rennie.
The park at Atherton Gardens Estate was chosen by Uncle Archie and Aunty Ruby’s families as this was a very significant place for the couple, who lived in the towers at the Estate with their two sons for some time.
The park was also the area in which Uncle Archie found his family.
In exciting news for the project, Melbourne-based architect Jefa Greenaway (Wailwan/Kamilaroi) will join artist Darien Pullen on the project and lead the landscaping works surrounding the statues.
Darian and Jefa will also work with acclaimed Kaurna/Ngarrindjeri landscape architect Paul Herzich and Greenaway to create a special gathering space around the artwork with an accessible path leading to the site from the Gertrude Street footpath.
Yarra City Council is proudly delivering this project in partnership with the Wurunderji Woi-Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, the Archie Roach Foundation and family members of Uncle Archie and Aunty Ruby’s families.
The project is also supported by the Victorian Government.
The statues will be installed in late 2023 and an official launch is planned to celebrate the unveiling of the statues and the lives of Uncle Archie and Aunty Ruby.
