First Weapons on ABC – For tens of thousands of years, the First Australians have used savvy, skill and science to craft and create weapons to hunt, kill and survive.
For the first time ever, host Phil Breslin sets out on an action-packed adventure across Australia to lift the lid on the genius and science of Australia’s oldest, most innovative, and deadliest weapons.
Phil travels around Australia to weapon makers and scientific experts to unpack the intricate scientific principles of Australia’s most iconic first weapons.
He travels to Kaurna Country in South Australia to investigate the Returning Boomerang. In Alyawarr country in the Northern Territory, he discovers the Amerr – the spear thrower. In Wadi Wadi Country in Victoria, he unpacks the Leangle Club and Parrying Shield.
While in Menang Noongar country in Western Australia Phil learns about the Kodj, a hafted axe. In Lutruwita – Tasmania, he discovers the practice and craft of the Long Spear. And lastly, in Tennant Creek near Alice Springs Phil learns about the Wartilykirri – the Number 7 Boomerang.
First Weapons celebrates how First Nations people have mastered scientific principles in aerodynamics, chemistry, velocity, and kinetic energy for thousands of years, while taking the audience on a journey to discover First Nations history, culture and genius, in a way never seen before on television.
Production credit: A Blackfella Films and Inkey Media production for the ABC. Major production investment from Screen Australia’s First Nations Department in association with the ABC. Financed with support from Screen Queensland. Producers Dena Curtis and Darren Dale. Executive Producer Jacob Hickey. ABC Executive Producer Kelrick Martin.
First Weapons – Friday 7 July, 2023 at 7.30pm on ABC TV and ABC iview
TV Central ABC content HERE
