"Launching a spear with a spearthrower allows it to be thrown with more force, more speed and for a longer distance than throwing by hand. The wooden or bone hook at the end of the spearthrower is hooked into the end of the spear, with the spear shaft extending along the flat surface of the spearthrower past the handle. The spear shaft and the spearthrower are held together at the handle and drawn back behind the shoulder before launching the spear.” Keeler, C. and Couzens, V. (eds) Meerreeng-an Here is My Country: The Story of Aboriginal Victoria Told Through Art, 2010, pg 229