| The Woomera Trophy - A History |
| Written By James Freebairn |
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James
Freebairn commissioned the building of the Woomera trophy in 1993 for the
purpose of presentation at International Match Rifle competitions that Australia
is involved in. It was first competed for and won by the visiting British Team
at the inaugural international Match Rifle competition held at Campbell Town in
Tasmania in 1997.
The trophy itself
is fashioned after a sculpture that appears at Woomera. A township purpose built
in 1947 in South Australia to house personnel working at the Australian
Government’s nearby rocket range facility of the same name.
The name Woomera is
an apt name for a rocket range and a long range shooting trophy alike. It is the
name of a device, invented by Australian Aborigines, used to increase the
distance that a spear could be thrown. Using the device a spear can be thrown
accurately out to a distance of 150metres. This compares favourably to the world
record javelin throw of slightly less than 100 metres. The woomera is thus, a
remarkable device.
The central parts
of the trophy represent different facets of the work carried out at the rocket
range. The orb represents a satellite; the crescent, a tracking dish; the arrow,
a rocket and the supporting arm, a launcher (or Woomera).
The structure is
mounted on a block of river red gum (Eucalyptus Camaldulensis). This timber is
representative of Australia in that it is regionally adapted and can be found
growing in most parts of the nation. The mounting block is adorned with the
emblem of the NRAA.