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Fishing Spear

Date2009

Object number00055471

NameFishing spear

MediumBrush Kurrajong (Commersonia fraseri), fibre, metal.

DimensionsOverall: 2510 × 37 mm, 490 g

ClassificationsTools and equipment

Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection Gift from the descendants of James Scott

Terms

DescriptionGurara (fishing spear) made from the stem of Brush Kurrajong made by late Aboriginal elder James (Jimmy) Scott of Bega (South Coast NSW). James (Jimmy) Scott made this gurara during a research project and documentation of Living Knowledge Saltwater People of the NSW South Coast interactive resource. The research project and content was developed by ANU with support of ARC Linkage Project that ANMM supported. HistoryElder Jimmy Scott made the garara spear by sourcing the garara trees at Dr George Mountain a few kilometres from his home. Kurrajong wood is valued because it is very light and floats, useful when spearing fish. Although Jimmy used some modern materials in his spears, the design principles and main components are consistent with traditional ways – light shaft and three sharp prongs. garara – Brush Kurrajong (Commersonia fraseri). A slender tree that is used to make fishing spears. There have been variations on the make of tools to catch crabs. From sticks and bamboo, to use of wire. Jimmy Scott made his crab wires from heavy gauge wire, with a loop handle at one end. Measuring 100 cm, the other end is sharpened, with a “jag” to catch the crab shell. “A good crabwire is hard to keep. People borrow it for a while. Hey brother, you seen my wire? You can follow it around the beach all day … then it’s gone" (J.Scott) SignificanceThe gurara is a living example of intergenerational/familial knowledge transmission. Once widespread in the south-east, knowledge of similar fishing spear technology is still extant on the South Coast NSW, although far from universal, Jimmy Scott was known locally, and particularly in his family, as a traditional fisherman.