by Br. Brian M. Thomas, cfc, Australian National Boomerang Coach. 2001

In 1963, in the small Northern Bavarian village of Bayeuth, a tiny six year old boy sat enthralled before his television screen, eyes ablaze and heart pounding, as he gazed awestruck at a show that would influence the rest of his life, as well as the lives of many others world wide.

What was this diminutive child watching? It was a foreign series called "The Magic Boomerang" and the misty eyed six year old was Gunter Wandtke! The magic of the boomerang had weaved its way into his inquisitive mind, so that by the time he was 10 he found some boomerangs in a toy shop. He bought a few of these and embarked on his first boomerang throwing, but success did not come immediately.

In 1980, when 23 years old, Gunter visited a gunshop in Wuerzburg and discovered a natural elbow boomerang for sale. Despite its rather high price of 24 DM, the lure of boomerang throwing captured his money and his heart. It was a great flier and launched him into his boomerang throwing career. Three years later, he was fortunate enough to come across Gunter Veit's "Bumerangs" book which illustrated so well how to make and throw boomerangs.

Armed with Gunter Veit's book and its many designs, our Gunter immersed himself into daily boomerang making! The first one made was a John Wray hook, which he still has. After that a new boomerang was produced each day for quite some time. This led naturally to taking part in his first competition, the 1983 German Championships in Weinheim, near Heidelberg. About 30 enthusiastic throwers took part. Gunter was first off in Fast Catch and took five straight catches in 1 minute. This time was blown away by Dutch thrower Rob Oberdeik, but Gunter came in a commendable 5th. His competitive throwing career had started!

Back home in Bayreuth Gunter taught locals to throw and even held a competition there. Quite a few regular throwers came to this competition to support him.

Bernard Fleck ran the 1984 German Nationals. Gunter headed the individual results, but the system there was to add team results to your individual results, so he only finished 2nd or 3rd. The injustice of this system was recognized later and the system was not used again.

Five Aussies were at the 1985 German Championships in Mainz: Br. Rod Shoebridge, Br. Vin Hawley, Br. Brian Thomas, Peter and Joan Byham. They were part of 90 throwers there. Rain washed out the first day, so everything was fitted into the next. At the end of it all, the 1985 German Champion was Gunter Wandtke!! The five Aussies won the Team Relay.

Following this success Gunter was working in Switzerland for a year and he organised the first Swiss Championships near Winterthur. Again many throwers from Europe attended.

Hamburg was the scene of the 1986 German Nationals, where Gunter came in 3rd Over-all and won a rare double cut Al Gerhards hook, which was a great flier. Sadly, Gunter's brother, Juergen, lost it in a river. Gunter is still trying to forgive him!!

Uli Konzelman organized the 1987 Nationals in Stuttgart. Of the 100 throwers Gunter came in 20th. One of the events introduced at this competition was the Most Beautifully Decorated Boomerang. At the end of this year, in November, Gunter made his big move in life and migrated to the Land of the Boomerang, Australia Down Under. Before he left Germany he had to sell off most of his boomerangs (too much luggage!).

One boomerang he did bring with him was an Al Gerhards sold to him by Al's brother for 40 DM. Al's former wife lived in Gunter's village of Bayreuth. Al was invited to Gunter's comp in the village, but he couldn't make it.

1988 saw the first World Cup at Barooga. Seven countries battled this out, Germany being one of them. This was Gunter's final effort for Germany. He was one of the four man squad and provided transport for them with his car. Since then he has represented Australia at World Cups in New Zealand (1996) and St.Louis, U.S.A.(1998). In New Zealand he finished equal World Champion in Accuracy.

In 1989 he worked for a year in New Zealand. Leo Lyons and Earl Tutty were two throwers who were mildly interested in boomerangs. Gunter encouraged them to become involved with serious competition throwing. In 1994 Earl attended the Australian Championships in Sydney and set a new record for Trick Catching, as well as performing very well in other disciplines. In 1996 Earl conducted the World Cup In Christchurch.

Gunter works in Sydney (at Warrah Village,Dural) as a house parent for disabled people. His partner in this work is beautiful Birgit Walter from Germany. In 1993 Birgit was awarded the NSW Sportswoman of the Year Award for Boomerang Throwing, the result of Gunter's coaching and boomerang making.

Since being in Sydney Gunter has been a vital part of the BTA NSW, being one of top competitors. He handles all competitions well and excels in Trick Catching and MTA. His name appears frequently in the top three places. His best performances have been MTA: 57 secs and over 2 min unofficially; Accuracy 46; Aussie Round 73; Fast Catch 25 secs and 22 secs unofficially; Trick Catching 86 (record in 1996).

Together with Adam Carroll he organized the 1994 Australian National Championship in Sydney.

Gunter has made several TV shows, and one, which was made by German TV, covered himself and Br. Thomas, and was shown in Germany on the opening day of the 2000 Olympics to promote the Olympics.

Bush walking, photography, whale watching and computers are some of Gunter's interests. Some of his excellent photos can be seen on the internet on Webshots. He is currently Secretary of the BAA and President of BTA NSW. He is also an excellent boomerang maker.

Birgit and Gunter have recently bought a house. You guessed it. The house is in Boomerang Drive, Glossodia!