Gus Williams

Kasper Gus Ntjalka Williams (20 June 1937 – 13 September 2010), known as Gus Williams, was an Aboriginal Australian country music singer who lived in Central Australia. He was known not only for his work in Aboriginal country music, but also as a leader of his people. He created the first electric country band in the Northern Territory, the Warrabri Country Bluegrass Band.

Biography Kasper Gus Ntjalka Williams was born in Labrapuntja in Alice Springs, in the Northern Territory of Australia, one of 11 children. He was an Arrernte man.

The family moved to the Alice Springs Telegraph Station in 1945, where his mother took up a post as a house governess.

In 1958 he married Rhonda Malbunka, and children followed: Serena, Ingrid, Warren, Baydon and Debbie.

He died on 13 September 2010, and was given a state funeral by the Northern Territory Government. Many tributes were read out in the NT Parliament. used his platform to make political statements and to help educate non-Indigenous audiences about Arrernte people and culture.

His cousin, Albert Namatjira, brought other kinds of music to the community via a gramaphone, and Williams developed a love for Australian country music.

Returning to Hermannsburg in the 1980s, Williams became involved in the land rights movement. Together with others, he led the successful push go get land returned from the Finke River Mission to the Ntaria Land Trust. 2000: Inductee into the Country Music Hands Of Fame in Tamworth 2001: Deadly Award for Outstanding Contribution to Aboriginal Music 2004: Country Music Centenary Medal from CMAA for service to Australian society through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music 2005: Inducted into the hall of fame at the Indigenous Music Awards

Discography Williams sang on Camp Fire Concert, a souvenir album released by Sundowner Safari Tour Company.

Albums released by Williams are: 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