New for 2023
Host Phil Breslin sets out an action-packed adventure across Australia, visiting Country he meets weapon makers from Wadi Wadi lands to the Central Desert. From Adelaide to Tasmania and Menang Noongar country. He learns through the inherent knowledge how each weapon is sourced and crafted before facing a crash course in combat. A celebration of craftsmanship, ingenuity, and bravery. Then Phil puts himself and science to the test… With the weapon makers, he meets our scientific experts who reveal how First Nations peoples have mastered the principles of aerodynamics, flight dynamics, chemistry, biomechanics, and kinetic energy for over millennia and still thrives today. But Phil’s journey is far from over… In a suite of challenges, he unlocks the wonder of this extraordinary Aboriginal arsenal. How will Phil fare in facing one of Australia’s fastest bowlers with only the Leangle and Parrying Shield for protection? Will the most iconic First Weapon be victorious as the returning boomerang goes head-to-head with a drone at one of Australia’s finest sporting stadiums? First Weapons is a television first. A unique, revelatory, and inspiring journey deep into Australia’s history, culture and science. A celebration of the First Australians, their genius, their dynamism, and their daring.
Blackfella Films 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.
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First Weapons
From Friday 7 July 7.30pm
Series 1, Episode 1 of 6 + BINGE
Stream all episodes on ABC iview
In a television first, host Phil Breslin goes on an action-packed adventure to meet weapon makers & scientific experts, lifting the lid on the genius & science of Australia’s oldest, most innovative, & deadliest weapons.
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.
Episode 4
Friday 28 July 7.30pm
Host Phil Breslin joins weapon maker Larry Blight in Albany, WA, to discover the Kodj. Our experts unpack the science of this versatile weapon before Phil, Larry, & a champion axeman face off in a showdown of speed & skill.
Southwest of West Australia in Kinjarling – Albany on Menang country, Phil learns about the Kodj. A hafted axe well known and widely used by the Noongar people. Weapon maker Larry Blight teaches Phil how to source, construct and use the multipurpose weapon.
To discover more, Larry and Phil traverse the continent to meet with our team of scientific experts uncovering the scientific secrets of this ancient weapon.
But Phil’s not done yet. Upping the ante, he invites Champion Axeman Mitch Argent to take part in a unique challenge of speed and skill.
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Episode 5
Friday 4 August 7.30pm
Weapon maker Dave mangeener Gough shows host Phil Breslin how to craft and use the Allener. He then joins our experts to unpack the intricate scientific principles behind this extraordinary spear.
In Lutruwita – Tasmania, host Phil Breslin meets weapon maker Dave Mangenner Gough to learn about the Allener – the long spear.
Heading to the mountains they source the perfect saplings to craft these ancient hunting weapons. Phil discovers the stripping and straightening process before learning how to throw this outsized weapon.
Next Phil and Dave travel to Brisbane to unlock the science behind the Long Spear. Meeting our team of experts, they discover that this seemingly simple weapon contains complex scientific principles propelling it extraordinary distances.
Finally, Phil invites Paralympian Corey Anderson and three-time National U18’s Women’s Javelin champion Alexandra Roberts to put this weapon into action.
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.
Episode 6 - Series Final
Friday 11 August 7.30pm
Host Phil Breslin and weapon maker Joseph Williams unpack Australia’s most lethal boomerang, the Wartilykirri, and witness its manoeuvrability and force in a medieval battle.
At Tennant Creek, 500 kms north of Alice Springs, host Phil Breslin meets master carver and craftsman Joseph Williams to learn about the Wartilykirri, a non-returning boomerang, often referred to as the Number 7.
Phil sources the wood, witnesses the crafting and puts this weapon into action. He gets a crash course in throwing and manoeuvring this hefty weapon. Keen to unpack the science that makes this hunting boomerang unique, Phil and Joseph meet our experts who are ready and waiting to investigate the wonder of the Wartilykirri.
It’s been quite the journey, but they’re not done yet. Phil wants to see the Wartilykirri in full fight mode, and so in a battle royale – medieval combat fighters put down their swords and pick up the Wartilykirri.
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.
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The show airs on ABC Australia across Asia Pacific region at 7.30pm AEST Sundays, followed by Stuff The British Stole at 8pm AEST. Both shows premiered on Sunday, September 17.
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