Gus Williams (musician) facts for kids

Gus Williams, born Kasper Gus Ntjalka Williams (June 20, 1937 – September 13, 2010), was a famous Aboriginal Australian country music singer. He lived in Central Australia. Gus was known for his music and for being a strong leader for his community. He even started the very first electric country band in the Northern Territory, called the Warrabri Country Bluegrass Band. He received an OAM award for his service to Australia.

About Gus Williams

Early Life

Kasper Gus Ntjalka Williams was born on June 20, 1937. He was born in Labrapuntja, near Alice Springs, in the Northern Territory of Australia. He was one of 11 children in his family. Gus was an Arrernte man, which means he belonged to the Arrernte Aboriginal group.

In 1945, when Gus was a child, his family moved. They went to the Alice Springs Telegraph Station. His mother worked there as a house governess. Gus did many different jobs in Alice Springs. He also started playing Australian rules football. He played for local clubs like Pioneer, Federal, and Rove.

Around 1954, when Gus was 17, both of his parents passed away. Gus and his brothers and sisters then moved to Hermannsburg. They went to live with their grandparents, Johannes and Maria Ntjalka.

Family Life

In 1958, Gus married Rhonda Malbunka. They had five children together: Serena, Ingrid, Warren, Baydon, and Debbie. His son, Warren H Williams, also became a well-known country music star. Warren was honored in the Country Music Hands of Fame in 2009.

Gus Williams passed away on September 13, 2010. The Northern Territory Government held a state funeral for him. This is a special public ceremony to honor important people. Many people spoke about his life and achievements in the NT Parliament.

His Music Journey

Singing in the Church

Gus Williams first started singing in church. This was because of his family. Some of his great-uncles were evangelists, who are people who spread religious messages. His grandparents were also among the first Aboriginal people to be baptized at the Hermannsburg Mission.

Williams taught his sons how to play the guitar. They all played music together as a band. In the mid-1960s, Gus became the lead singer of the church choir. This choir was led by Pastor Doug Radke.

In 1967, the Hermannsburg Choir went on a tour. They performed in Adelaide at the Adelaide Town Hall. They also sang at 12 other places in South Australia and Victoria. During this tour, they recorded an album. Gus was the compère (host) and lead singer. He used this chance to talk about important issues. He also helped teach people who were not Indigenous about Arrernte culture.

Starting His Own Bands

Gus's cousin, Albert Namatjira, brought different kinds of music to their community. He used a gramophone to play records. This helped Gus fall in love with Australian country music. Soon, Gus formed his first band, which he called Palm Leaves.

In the mid-to-late 1970s, Gus toured remote communities with Herbie Laughton. His sons joined him in a new band, the Warrabri Country Bluegrass Band. In 1976, Gus moved to his mother's traditional country, Ali Curung (which used to be called Warrabri). There, he became the CEO of the local council. He was respected as a strong leader in the community.

Gus also created the first electric country band in the Northern Territory. This was the Warrabri Country Bluegrass Band. He also organized the first country music festival. It was held first in Alice Springs and later in Ali Curung.

In 1977, a film company called Film Australia made a documentary about him. The film was called Country Outcasts. It followed Gus Williams, Harry and Wilga Williams, Malcolm "Mac" Silva, and Auriel Andrew. They toured Aboriginal communities in Central Australia. They performed in Alice Springs, Hermannsburg, Papunya, and Yuendumu.

Later Career and Albums

In the 1980s, Gus returned to Hermannsburg. He became involved in the land rights movement. This movement worked to get traditional lands back for Aboriginal people. Gus and others successfully helped get land returned from the Finke River Mission to the Ntaria Land Trust. He became the chair and CEO of the Hermannsburg council. He held this important position for 30 years.

In the 1990s, Gus released six albums. In 1993, he visited the Tamworth Country Music Festival for the first time. This is a very big country music event in Australia. He performed there on the street, which is called busking, with the Country Ebony band.

Other Important Roles

Gus Williams was also a member or leader of many other groups. These included the ATSIC, the Aboriginal Benefits Fund, and the Central Land Council. He was also involved with the Central Australian Football League. He was the chair of the Hermannsburg Historical Society, among many other roles. People said that Ngurratjuta, an organization for the Western Desert people, was his favorite.

Gus Williams met several very important people during his life. He met Nelson Mandela, Queen Elizabeth II, and the Pope.

Awards and Recognition

Gus Williams received many awards for his contributions:

• 1983: He received the Medal of the Order of Australia. This award was for his work in conservation and protecting the environment.
• 2000: He was added to the Country Music Hands Of Fame in Tamworth. This honors people who have made a big impact on country music.
• 2001: He won a Deadly Award for his amazing contribution to Aboriginal Music.
• 2004: He received the Country Music Centenary Medal from the CMAA. This was for his service to Australian society through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music.
• 2005: He was put into the hall of fame at the Indigenous Music Awards.

His Music Albums

Gus Williams sang on an album called Camp Fire Concert. This was a souvenir album released by Sundowner Safari Tour Company.

Here are the albums Gus Williams released:

• I'm Not Trying To Forget – Ntjalka Music
• My Kind Of Heaven (1993) – Ntjalka Music
• Southern Cross (1993) – Ntjalka Music
• Storm In My Heart – Ntjalka Music
• Straight From The Heart (1992) – Ntjalka Music
• Through The Years (1994) – Hadley Records