Aboriginal woman Wilga Munro was born in Tamworth, NSW in 1943. She was named after the wild orange tree she was born under.Her father taught her to play the button accordion and piano accordion. She learned to play the guitar when she was about 12 or 13. Wilga learned music by listening. She practiced by performing at family events and in church. Her favorite singers were Patsy Cline and Jean Shepard.At age 19, she joined the Royal Australian Air Force. She served from 1959 to the early 1960s. After that, she returned to Tamworth and started performing music.
In 1963, Wilga moved to Newcastle, New South Wales. She met Harry Williams at a friend's house. In 1972, Harry and Wilga moved to Mooroopna, Victoria. They formed the Country Outcasts band in Melbourne. Ian "Ocker" McKie and Harry's son Bert Williams joined them. The band often played at the Grandview Hotel in Fairfield during the 1970s. Their first song recorded by the Country Outcasts was "Nullarbor Prayer". Eric Onus wrote and narrated this song. It was included on their first album.
They toured all over Australia and New Guinea. They released two full-length albums. Many young artists joined the Country Outcasts over the years. So, the band's lineup often changed. Some other members included Ray "Buster" Thomas and Bill Brunswick. Also Debbie Williams, Ian "Ocker" McKie, and Carole Fraser. Ian "Bear" Johnson and his sisters Roslyn and Janice Johnson also played. Henry Thorpe, Laurie Ingram, Claude "Candy" Williams (Harry's brother), Mac Silva, and Auriel Andrew were also members.
The band played at many country music festivals. This included the Wandong Country Music Festival in 1975. They also performed as part of the "All Aboriginal" Spectacular Show in Tamworth in 1995. In 1978, they played at the Sydney Opera House. In 1980, they performed at the Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne. They also played at the Adelaide Festival Theatre.Harry and Wilga Williams started a national Aboriginal Country Music Festival in Canberra in 1976, and a radio show, Country Music Shindig, for 3CR. In 1981 they were recognised in the Country Music Hands of Fame in Tamworth.
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