Good Day all.

            Expanding on David Richardson’s comment. Hope you guys haven’t heard this before, as a very close relative sometimes bags me for repeating myself.

David Richardson Wrote;

I suspect that Bob's many years as a performer make this option more appealing -- especially if it means by applying more power you can get two (or more!) large loops out of one throw. Much more dramatic!

David is spot on with his comment. When reading his comments, I thought,  ” why is David paraphrasing my comments?”

When I checked back I realized my thought was in my mind, but just did not get to the keyboard.

My late father Cecil, had my late brother Jack doing boomerang throwing exhibitions and teaching from 1946.  My memory only goes back to my throwing days from around 1955. I was twelve years of age then.

In 1958 at age fifteen, I was preparing to leave home and join the Australian Army.

            In that year I was starting to be more regimented with my boomerang throwing presentation. My testing process became my exhibition format introduction.

            Using one boomerang we (brother Jack and I) would start with single round throws. (Helped as a warm up)

Then power throwing to demonstrate how high and how spectacular boomerangs could fly.

            Spectators who had never seen us throw boomerangs before, would be amazed that as soon as we power launched the boomerang, we would run immediately to the point where the boomerang would come to ground. (Well most times)

From memory our best flight time using a standard shaped 5/16” Coachwood boomerangs was 23 seconds. We called it “Duration of Flight”. Duration of flight being one of the prime attributes of a boomerangs performance.

Next.

Throwing two boomerangs together was next. Then three, four and five, finishing with six from one handful.

Next.

Using triblade boomerangs I would start with one right handed, then two together, then one left handed then two together, finishing with putting the left and right back to back and throw them from one hand. No they did not have an accurate return.

Next.

Using a triblade made from vulcanised fibre with a range of about thirty metres, I would do bounce and return. The aim was to release the tri blade low. I would be down on one knee, having the boomerang hit the ground on its way out, it would then run around to complete part of its path along the ground, then lift off the ground and come back.

Next.

            Juggle catch two boomerangs.

             I used to practice using three boomerangs so juggling two was much easier.

Next.

Throw and finger spin catch a range of multi blade boomerangs starting with three, then four, five, six and eight blades. This always drew the most applause.  My brother Jack would highlight that segment by juggling with finger spin catches.

Next.

If the field was big enough we would throw distance boomerangs out to about sixty yards. We used a Ľ” vulcanised fibre, weighing about six ounces. They had straight wings between 110 to 120 degrees.

Whenever possible we would teach as many as possible to throw a boomerang.

Brisbane Bob

Good Day Glen

            Vulcanised fibre I believe is made from a composite of Whalebone and Rubber. It is structured from thin sheet form, then heat compressed from many thin sheets to form the desired final sheet thickness. It is almost unbreakable but is very susceptible to warping when affected by moisture. I always sealed it with paint as soon as possible after making one.

 Vulcanised fibres primary use is for electrical insulation. The most common place where you will see it in another use is the hot water washer in water taps.

            I believe “whalebone”, is actually the baleen part of the whale. (whatever that means)

            It was used in the manufacture of boomerangs at least from the 1930’s through to the 70’s. I used to purchase my sheets from, O. H. Obrien.

            The bounce and return requires a very precise release. My release is low to the ground and vertical. I am usually low down on my left knee on release.

            Yes, many people including me do accidental bounce and return throws.

                        Brisbane Bob

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Good Day Art.

            In 1982 my most memorable miss throw, resulted with a, “ground run” then a “small Stairway climb” ending with a hallway run inside a historic house called “Ormiston House”.

I was invited to demonstrate boomerang throwing for a large group of VIP international visitors. There were prime ministers wives, president’s wives, diplomats, and many others. It was a sideshow during the “Commonwealth Games “ in Brisbane. Like a mini Olympics.

Quick as a flash I announced, “that the first throw was to show that all boomerangs do not always come back.”

So much for throwing in a very confined place, without any warm up.

I have thrown in numerous unusual places, and sometimes have just said, “NO WAY” to doing an exhibition.

                                                            Brisbane Bob