Singer-songwriter Shane Howard sees the irony in receiving an Australia Day award for a song about the genocide of indigenous inhabitants upon white settlement.
Howard wrote the 1982 hit single Solid Rock, for his band Goanna, about the settlement of Australia.
Its powerful lyrics include: "Wasn't long before they felt the sting, white man, white law, white gun. Don't tell me that it's justified, 'cause somewhere, someone lied. Yeah, well someone lied, someone lied, genocide".
It was off the successful debut album Spirit Of Place and was the first commercial song to use a didgeridoo.
He told AAP that being recognised for his work, not only for the iconic song but also for his work alongside other indigenous artists, was something to be proud of.
"It's a two-edged sword for a number of reasons. Australia Day is a complicated day and as a nation we have to deal with that and it's become a symbol of division and not unity," he said.
"It's lovely and ironic in a way that you are recognised for a song that criticises government policy."
Howard has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his service to the performing arts as a singer, songwriter and guitarist, to the recording industry, and to indigenous musicians.
He's worked on more than a dozen albums with indigenous artists including Archie Roach, The Pigram Brothers, Joe Geia, Jimmy Chi and Patricia Clarke.
Howard said he would not only accept the award with honour, but he'd celebrate slightly more than most recipients because it was his birthday as well.
"How can I not be interested in the settlement of Australia and the complications for Aboriginal people, when it's your birthday?" he said. "This award is not about this particular day.
"I am grateful and very honoured for my work. I still love playing that song. It means a lot."
