The legendary Gunditjmara and Bundjalung musician said he was "very humbled" to have won the prize for Indigenous Writing for his memoir Tell Me Why: The Story of My Life and My Music and received $25,000.

Roach launched the memoir in 2019 with an in-conversation event at Crossely Hall featuring Shane Howard who asked the musician about key moments in his life including Roach's homelessness, alcoholism, musical beginnings and serendipitous reconnections with family.

The literary award adds to a huge 18 months for Roach which saw him inducted to the ARIA Hall of Fame in November 2020 where he also won the best male artist and best adult contemporary album awards.

IN OTHER NEWS:

The debut novel by Victorian writer Laura Jean McKay took out the Victorian Prize for Literature for her novel The Animals in That Country in the virtual ceremony on Monday night.

The People's Choice Award went to Louise Milligan for Witness: An Investigation into the Brutal Cost of Seeking Justice, an account of the people who have come forward and faced their abusers in high-profile child abuse and sexual assault cases.