Five months after his passing, a state memorial service has been held in honour of Gunditjmara and Bundjalung Elder Uncle Archie Roach.

Thousands attended Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Naarm (Melbourne) for the celebration of Uncle Archie's life, which included the sharing of songs, dances and memories, whilst Victorian Premier Dan Andrews offered a "profound apology" to Uncle Archie's family.

Following a traditional smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country which saw dozens of Uncle Archie's family members welcomed on stage by Wurundjeri Elders, Mr Andrews apologised for the treatment Uncle Archie received throughout his life.

"As Premier of Victoria, and along with the Victorian government, we acknowledge the immense pain, suffering and despair placed upon Archie due to past government policies and laws," Mr Andrews said.

"On behalf of the Victorian Government, we make this overdue apology to you, Archie.

"The Victorian government apologises for the forced removal from your family, from your country, community, culture and language.

"And for depriving you of your birthright by actions perpetrated on you."

The treatment Uncle Archie received saw him forcibly removed from his family as part of the Stolen Generations at the age of three.

Aunty Myrtle Roach, Uncle Archie's last living sister who he learnt about after receiving a letter from her at age 14, accepted Mr Andrew's apology.

Aunty Myrtle said she accepted the apology "on behalf of my baby brother", commenting on how Archie had "come good", having achieved so much in his life.

"He was a gift to me," said Aunty Myrtle.

"I am proud of him. He found strength to fight, to survive."

Aunty Myrtle's final goodbye included her reading out the names of all of her siblings and parents who have passed away, dedicating the Victorian Government's apology to them.

"This is an apology for all my brothers and sisters who don't get one," she said.

"(They) all are at peace now, I'm the last one.

"You are free now Archie, fly high."

Aunty Myrtle's reflection of her brother's life was followed by numerous song and dances tributes performed by notable First Nations Australians and Indigenous groups.

Renowned elder and singer-songwriter Uncle Kutcha Edwards, a Stolen Generations survivor and collaborator of Uncle Archie's delivered a revised version of the national anthem.

Uncle Archie's son Amos Roach then performed a stirring rendition of his father's 1990 hit Took the Children Away with the support of Uncle Kutcha and the Dusty Feet Mob dance group.

Yorta Yorta ARIA award-winning artist Briggs followed, joined by Emma Donovan, Paul Kelly and Jessica Hitchcock in performing The Children Came Back, a sequel to Roach's Took the Children Away.

Kelly then partnered with Fred Leone to cover Charcoal Lane, the title-track from his gold ARIA awarded 1990 album.

More musical tributes for Uncle Archie followed, with David Leha and David Bridie taking the stage to perform Walking Into Doors, followed by Lou Bennett, Sally Dastey, Amy Saunders, Emma Donovan, Deline Briscoe and Jen Anderson collaborating on a Dancing with My Spirit cover, the title-track to Roach's album first recorded in the 1990s which remained unreleased until 2018.

Move It On, the hit from Roach's eight studio album Sensual Being was performed by Dan Sultan, Richard Pleasance Deline Briscoe and Marlon Motlop, with covers of Roach's songs Liyarn Ngarn, We Won't Cry and Nopun Kurongk also delivered by guests artists.

The musical tributes were culminated with a collaboration by Deborah Cheetham, Jessica Hitchcock, Shellie Morris, Nancy Bates, the Dhungala Children's Choir and Craig Pilkington with the group performing Let Love Rule, the title-track from Roach's seventh studio album.

Throughout the event, multiple spoken tributes were also delivered, reflecting on their memories of Uncle Archie's lifetime achievements in music, truth-telling and activism.

Guest speakers included Uncle Graham 'Bootsie' Thorpe, Uncle Talgium 'Choco' Howard Edwards, Louis Irving, Jill Shelton, Uncle Eric Richards, Uncle Jeffrey Hunter and Janaya Roach.