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Thoms was born in 1925 and raised in Toowoomba, Queensland as one of seven children. Beginning her career by becoming the first female solo act to release country music in Australia at the age of 16. She came to be known as 'Australia's Yodelling Sweetheart'.

Entertaining the troops during World War II and later touring with the Sole Bros Circus, Thoms came out of retirement in 1970 to release more music.

After suffering from Parkinson’s Disease and a heart condition, she died in 1999 in Lake Macquarie, NSW, aged 74.

The bust of Shirley Thoms was completed by Mooloolaba sculptor Wayne Strickland and will be unveiled at a ceremony in Tamworth's Bicentennial Park in July, joining busts of the likes of fellow legends Buddy Williams, Tex Morton, Stan Coster and Gordon Parsons.

Next to be immortalised in bronze will be Reg Lindsay with fundraising efforts kicking off with a special concert on July 9th in conjunction with the Australian Bush Balladeer's Association.

Source: The Music

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