Iconic Aboriginal singer and songwriter Ruby Hunter has died, leaving fans and communities in mourning for a woman who rose above adversity and inspired generations to do the same.
The acclaimed Ngarrindjeri, Pitjantjarra, Kookatha woman was born in 1955 on the banks of the Murray in South Australia and met her lifelong partner and musical soul mate Archie Roach aged 16, when both were homeless teenagers.
Hunter was a member of the stolen generation, forcibly removed from her family aged eight, and grew up in foster homes and institutions.
Roach and his family released a statement on Thursday asking for privacy "in this time of profound grief".
"On Wednesday, February 17 2010, the acclaimed Ngarrindjeri, Pitjantjarra, Kookatha singer and songwriter Ruby Hunter, aged 54, passed away suddenly at home in southwest Victoria in the arms of her lifelong partner, Archie Roach, surrounded by family," the statement said.
Her last live performance was only days before her death, when she entertained thousands on Sunday on the main stage with Roach at the St Kilda Festival in Melbourne.
The Australian Council's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts board director Lydia Miller described Hunter's contribution to the national and international music scenes as "extraordinary".
But it is not only her music that earned her widespread respect, Ms Miller said.
"She was a strong cultural woman and she talked about the beauty of our culture," she told AAP.
"Her voice and her song and her words is really a testament to all that happened to her.
"She rose above all that adversity. She had great warmth, great humour and deep generosity of spirit. "That is a fantastic legacy to leave."
Hunter began her career as a backing vocalist but became Australia's first indigenous woman to sign with a major record label in 1994, when she released her album Thoughts Within.
Nominated for two ARIA awards, and winner of three Deadlys indigenous music awards, Hunter went on to perform alongside Joan Armatrading, Tracy Chapman and Bob Dylan and performed at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in 2001.
She was a founding member of The Black Arm Band, a band dedicated to the spirit of reconciliation.
In 2004 she collaborated with Paul Grabowsky, Roach and the Australian Art Orchestra to produce Ruby's Song, a story of her life. Hunter also made a film appearance in the powerful One Night the Moon.
Tributes on Thursday flowed for the performer, mother, grandmother and respected elder.
Victorian Aboriginal Health Service chief executive Rod Jackson described "Aunty Ruby" as very talented and extremely loyal and the backbone of her family and community.
Fred Hollows Foundation chief executive Brian Doolan said Hunter travelled with the foundation to promote positive health messages in remote parts of Australia.
"She lifted everyone's spirit wherever she went and she was a real inspiration," Mr Doolan said in a statement. "It is a very sad day indeed and a great loss to our country."
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