Woomera

The spear is thrown by means of a woomera which is a slight rod about three feet long having at one end a niche to receive the end of the spear. ❋ Thomas Mitchell (1823)

Rubbish, they used a woomera to get distance and it wasn't anywhere near 110 meters. pwscott ❋ Unknown (2009)

Next up was a spear throwing demonstration, both directly hand-held and using a woomera, a device that helps increase the distance they can throw. ❋ Unknown (2008)

A woomera, an at&rt/- almost as fast as a bow and arrow, in the right hands. ❋ Rohan, Michael Scott, 1951- (1992)

I believe that the method of holding the spear varies somewhat, some natives placing the handle of the woomera between the first and remaining fingers. ❋ David Wynford Carnegie (1885)

As the hand moves forward the spear is released by uplifting the forefinger, and the woomera remains in the hand. ❋ David Wynford Carnegie (1885)

In the handle end of the woomera a sharp flint is often set, forming a sort of chisel. ❋ David Wynford Carnegie (1885)

The missile is shot forward by this means with great force and accuracy of direction; for by the peculiar method of throwing the spear the woomera affords a great additional impetus from this most ingenious lengthening of the arm to that extent. ❋ Thomas Mitchell (1823)

With the invention of the sling, the bow or the woomera we have an 'arms length' amplifier. ❋ Logicman (2010)

"after about thirty years of age a man is allowed to have as many women as he likes, and the older he gets the younger the girls are that he gets, probably to work and get food for him, for in their wild state the man is too proud to do anything except carry a woomera and spear." ❋ Henry Theophilus Finck (1890)

` hit by throwing a boomerang, 'or ` the hole left by a goanna when it has broken the surface after hibernation,' or ` a hole in a spear where the hook of a woomera [i.e., a throwing stick for launching a spear] is inserted, 'concepts as important to Aboriginal life as centrifugal force or gunpowder to their new neighbors. ❋ Unknown (1982)

For the shape of the woomera see Moyengully Plate 49 above; and the manner of throwing the spear may be seen in Plate 8 Volume 1.) ❋ Thomas Mitchell (1823)