We won’t pretend to be the authoritive source of links to the boomerang world; Ted Bailey’s site is a good start for those interested in such a resource. Here we’ll focus on the Australian side of things… well, the ones that aren’t tourist crap!
There are a number of state and local boomerang clubs around Australia. Two of them have their own areas on this website. They are the Boomerang Throwing Association of New South Wales (BTANSW) and the Victorian Boomerang Throwing Association (VBTA).
Articles
- Article on 1960s TV show 'The Magic Boomerang'
"The Magic Boomerang. The ancient legend of the dreamtime people tells of a magic boomerang. When this strange boomerang flies in the sky, all time will stand still. Whoever has this boomerang has great power." - Australian Museum articles
A series of articles looking at the use, aerodynamics, and history of boomerangs. - Captain Cook's boomerang?
Article on whether the 1770 visit by Captain Cook witnessed boomerangs in use. - Ces Burwell offer to teach throwing at La Perouse
Example of newspaper clipping (17 July 1947) to be found at the National Library of Australia site. - Craig Carter interview
One of MANY pieces on the Carters in their local papers! - Jeff Lewry's website
Archive of Jeff Lewry's website, with articles on aboriginal craftsmanship, Jeff's life, and the Janetzkis. - Migration Heritage Centre article
General article, with focus on boomerangs made at La Perouse in Sydney.
Audio
- David Schummy interview
2010 ABC interview of David Schummy (in China!) as he attempts to re-break his own record for longest thrown object. (Dear reader, he failed.) - Laddie Timbery interview
2012 article and interview with Laddie Timbery on ABC radio. - Leonie Metzakis interview
2010 Leonie Metzakis interview on 6PR - Richard Kennedy interview
Article and radio interview with Richard Kennedy about boomerangs during NAIDOC Week.
Other
- National Library of Australia boomerang-related items
The National Library holds more than books. Here's a starting search. - National Museum of Australia collection of boomerangs
A starting search to show many many boomerangs, hunting sticks, and related items held by the National Museum. - National Museum of Australia collection of Rob Croll items
Check out this collection of boomerangs, clothes and the 1988 World Champion trophy donated by Rob Croll! - Powerhouse Museum boomerang-related items
Starting search of the boomerang-related collection at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney.
People
- Bob Burwell website
Archive of three time Australian champion Bob Burwell's great site telling his life story, and featuring many historic photographs. - Ted Bailey site on Br Brian Thomas
A great memorial to Br Thomas, with photos, parting words, and a LONG list of Brian's achievements. - The Australian Boomerang Champion and The Preacher
A tale about Jeff Lewry.
Photos
- A History of Aboriginal Sydney
Photos from the La Perouse area feature strongly at this site. - Australian Museum photos
A selection of photos of boomerangs held by the Australian Museum in Sydney, including a cross-stick collected in 1900. - Janetzki brother photos
Pierre Kutek hosts a stack of photos of the Janetzki brothers' boomerangs. - Scott Burwell's boomerang art
Some of Scott Burwell's freaky boomerang art can be seen at his ColourInYourLife site.
Stores
- Boomerang Craftsmen Australia
Rob Croll, ten time Aussie champion, sells a range of boomerangs, and runs demonstrations and workshops. - Rangs Boomerangs
Roger Perry's company on the outskirts of Perth is the largest producer of quality boomerangs in Australia. - Real Boomerangs
Adam Carroll makes high-quality and cheap competition boomerangs in Hobart, Tasmania. - Stones Throw Boomerangs
This company started with Lorin Hawes, who founded the famous Boomerang Farm on the Gold Coast in 1965, but is now run by David and Peggy Biden in Bundaberg. - The Boomerang Academy of Victoria
The Boomerang Academy of Victoria is run by Bruce Carter, and offers lessons and sells a range of boomerangs from various Australian makers. - The Boomerang School
Duncan McLennan started this store in Sydney many decades ago, and has literally taught tens of thousands to throw over those decades. Now run by his daughter. - Wycheproof Boomerangs
Leanne Loveland, daughter of the legendary thrower and maker Bunny Read, runs the colourful Wycheproof Boomerangs site that makes available a number of traditional and classic designs. 2013 marks the fortieth anniversary of their forming!
Videos (action)
- 2004 World Cup footage
One of a series of fantastic clips from the 2004 World Cup in France — opens with Craig Carter making trick catch look easy, and ends with Leonie Metzakis making speaking Japanese look hard. - 2008 Australian team
Footage of the Australian team at the 2008 World Cup in Seattle - 2008 OzFrogs footage
Footage of the OzFrogs team at the 2008 World Cup in Seattle - Bob Burwell throwing footage
A young Bob Burwell throwing - Craig Carter indoor throwing
Craig Carter terrorises some Coburg table tennis throwers with fast indoor throwing - Craig Carter indoor throwing #2
This time Craig tries to scare a Czech table tennis star - DavidSchummy.com
Videos of David Schummy throwing various types of boomerangs. - Hamish & Andy competing in a relay and trick catch
Hamish & Andy meet Melbourne throwers as part of their "Bi-bi-tri-biathlon" - Lorin Hawes' children throwing
Home video of Lorin Hawes' children throwing - Night boomerang display
Roger Perry from the 1980s, in this eye-catching presentation. - Roger Perry footage
Roger Perry demonstration in 1991 - Wycheproof Boomerangs demonstration
A compilation of throwing footage of Bunny Read and Ben Loveland.
Videos (documentary)
- Boomerang Throwing Down Under (part 01)
Commentary from Br Thomas and Tony Butz (preceded by 'Wonder World!' segment) - Boomerang Throwing Down Under (part 02)
Commentary from Br Thomas and Tony Butz - Boomerang Throwing Down Under (part 03)
Commentary from Br Thomas and Tony Butz - Boomerang Throwing Down Under (part 04)
Commentary from Br Thomas and Tony Butz - Boomerang Throwing Down Under (part 05)
Commentary from Br Thomas and Tony Butz - Boomerang Throwing Down Under (part 06)
Commentary from Br Thomas and Tony Butz - Boomerang Throwing Down Under (part 07)
Commentary from Br Thomas and Tony Butz - Boomerang Throwing Down Under (part 08)
Commentary from Br Thomas and Tony Butz - Boomerang Throwing Down Under (part 09)
Commentary from Br Thomas and Tony Butz - Boomerang Throwing Down Under (part 10)
Commentary from Br Thomas and Tony Butz - How to make your boomerang come back
A fantastic introduction to boomerangs in 2012 by Roger Perry (with help from son Grant). - Trailer for 'Boomerang Drengen'
Danish film about a 13-year-old Trent Carter
Videos (interviews)
- 'Getaway' with Jeff Lewry
1990s Jeff Lewry segment from lifestyle 'Getaway' show - 'Golden Goal' segment
Danish sports-comedy show 'Golden Goal' visited Bruce Carter in Melbourne in 2010. Kay and Craig, plus David J Richardson and Olly Hornung, also appear. - 'Leyland Brothers World' segment
Bunny Read and Wycheproof Boomerangs feature on the 1970s 'Leyland Brothers World' show. - 'Live And Sweaty' segment
NSW throwers feature in a 1990s 'Live And Sweaty' segment - 'The Record Breakers' segment
Bunny Read features in this 1982 piece. Two-year-old grandson Ben is also interviewed! - 'Today' interviews
1980s segment with Duncan McClellan, Stephen Silady, Rob Croll, and Ben Ruhe - 'Travel Oz' segment
Tony Butz and other NSW throwers in a 2009 'Travel Oz' segment - Annie Louey piece with Melbourne throwers
2012 piece from Monash University student Annie Louey, featuring Bruce Carter and David J Richardson - Arthur Janetzki interview
Albury TV news piece on Arthur Janetzki, with Br Thomas - Bob Burwell interview
1982 Bob Burwell segment on TT - Bunny Read interview
Bunny Read (with Leanne and Ben) segment on 'You Asked For It' - Conrad Stacy interview
1981 Conrad Stacy 'State Affair' interview - Duncan McClellan interview
Duncan McClellan interview on Swiss TV (French, English) - K-TV segment with Bunny Read
See how Bunny Read made his Wycheproof boomerangs. - Making Wycheproof Boomerangs
Modern video showing the full sequence of manufacturing at Wycheproof (with some action at the end). - Paul Bryden interview
Paul Bryden in 1988 Rand McNally piece - Rob Croll video & article
Rob Croll on a 2011 episode of 'Collectors' - Sadir Kattan interview
Sadir Kattan, with the world's smallest boomerang, on 'Guiness World Records Australia'
