Ruby (Archie Roach, Ruby Hunter, Paul Grabowsky and Australian Art Orchestra album)

In 2004, Roach and Hunter collaborated with Paul Grabowsky and the Australian Art Orchestra to produce Ruby, a semi-autobiographically production about Ruby Hunter; from her birth near a billabong on banks of the Murray River, through the stolen generation, search for identity and the discovery of hope through love. [2] Ann Moir from the Art Australia Orchestra said "The thing about Ruby is, you can look at her life and say that she's done something amazing."[2] The show debuted at the 2004 Messagesticks festival held at the Sydney Opera House. In July 2004, Hunter said "The feedback we've received has been really positive, people have been truly moved, feeling that it was their story being told too. The emotion in the room was tangible."[3]

In 2004, it won The Deadly Awards for "Excellence in Film & Theatrical Score".[4] Following the award, Roach said "Ruby's Story was a collaboration with Aboriginal people and non-Aboriginal people that created something beautiful and good. An award like this is confirmation that Aboriginal people can work with all sorts of people from all fields and produce excellent work."[3]

The Sydney Morning Herald said "This was the finest, most moving work the Australian Art Orchestra has undertaken" adding "It is primarily a celebration of Ruby Hunter's resilience and ability to find joy in life, but it also makes the anguish of the stolen generation real and raw". The ended the review saying "It is an uplifting affirmation of the human spirit."[5]