Australian Flying Saucer Review - 1964 05 - no 1 VFSRS

Magazine Overview

Title: AUSTRALIAN FLYING SAUCER REVIEW
Issue: No. 1, Victorian Edition
Date: May, 1964
Publisher: Victorian Flying Saucer Research Society

This inaugural issue of the Australian Flying Saucer Review (Victorian Edition) is presented as a non-profit, educational publication by the Victorian Flying Saucer Research Society, based in Moorabbin, Victoria. Its primary function is to gather and share information on flying saucers and Unidentified Flying Objects (U.F.O.'s).

Editorial: The Psychology of Silence

The editorial addresses the U.S. National Aeronautical and Space Administration's report, "Peaceful Space Activities for Human Affairs," which suggests a rationale for governmental silence on UFOs. The report recommends studies to determine societal reactions to the discovery of extraterrestrial life and how such information should be presented or withheld. The editorial posits that this discussion lends weight to the ufologist's assertion of governmental censorship since 1946. It argues that changing this policy would require convincing authorities that public apprehension is unfounded or educating society to accept the possibility of extraterrestrial beings without fear. The responsibility is placed on those interested in UFOs to act reasonably and with discretion to avoid retarding the cause through excessive zeal.

V.F.S.R.S. Office Bearers

• The issue lists the office bearers of the Victorian Flying Saucer Research Society:
• Peter E. Norris L. L. B. (President)
• Judith M. Magee (Vice-president & Program Officer)
• Sylvia Sutton (Secretary)
• Dorothy Gillman (Treasurer)
• Ian Godden (Librarian & Magazine Editor)
• Geoff. Rumpf (Investigations & Sightings Officer)
• Paul Norman (Investigations & Sightings Officer)
• Harry Aitchison (Technical Advisor)
• David Browning (Public Relations Officer)

Communications should be addressed to P.O. Box 43, Moorabbin, Victoria. Material may be reproduced with credit, but published contributions do not necessarily reflect the Society's policy.

Wonthaggi Sighting Reports

This section details several sightings in the Wonthaggi region:

• September 19, 1963: A man from Mt. Eliza reported an unusual object, blood red and blinking, larger than a star, making no sound, disappearing eastward.
• September 21, 1963: The Melbourne newspaper "The Sun" reported an object like an orange ball moving slowly out to sea near Dudley South, flashing like an aeroplane but much larger and slower. This event caused TV sets in Dudley South and Wonthaggi to lose their picture for approximately 25 minutes.
• September 22, 1963: Committee members visited Wonthaggi and confirmed the report with the police and the local editor of "The Express." They interviewed Mr. Tom Lymer of Dudley Street, South Dudley, who described a large, deep orange object, the size of a beach ball, motionless, blinking at 1-second intervals. It disappeared after a bright flash, later reappearing and moving south-west towards the sea, blinking faintly for 4-5 minutes. During this time, TV sets went off from 6:50 p.m. to 7:15 p.m., and then again for 10 minutes.
• September 17, 1963: Des. Pugh (15) reported a quick green flash at 9:30 p.m. in the north-east, with no noise.
• September 20-23, 1963: Brian Pugh (12) reported seeing objects for four consecutive nights.
• September 22, 1963: Joyce Pugh (7) saw two objects on Saturday night.
• September 22, 1963: Mr. Chris Jolly saw an orange-colored blinking light that moved slowly.
• October 7, 1963: A relative of Mr. Lymer's reported seeing an object on Saturday night.
• Undated: Johnny Water saw two bright red objects travelling in an arc.

The issue notes that TV malfunctions varied, including white screens, grey screens, snowflakes, and duplicated pictures. No radio sets were reported affected.

Further Sightings and Investigations

• October 31, 1963: Jim Davidson, a breadcarter, reported a glowing orange object, 8-12 feet long with red tail fins, pacing his van for two miles near Wonthaggi before ascending a hill and disappearing out to sea.
• November 8, 1963: Ted Colbert and Jennifer Hughes reported a glow over South Dudley moving slowly, with light rays from the top. They followed it towards Dalyston and Kilcunda.
• November: A 21-year-old motor mechanic in Kilcunda saw a similar object but was reluctant to give his name.

Extensive inquiries were made by the Society from the R.A.A.F., Civil Aviation, and the Weather Bureau, but no normal explanation was found. It was later heard that about 60 people saw the object at Dudley South.

• September 26, 1963: "The Sun" published an article suggesting the object was probably a flying saucer.
• October 31, 1963: Mr. Gannon reported another sighting at Dalyston at 4:15 a.m.

Sightings: International and Miscellaneous

• December 4, 1963: "West Australian" reported a strange light at Norseman, W.A., possibly a disabled aircraft, but the Department of Civil Aviation found no aircraft in the area, suggesting a meteor.
• December 23, 1963: "Courier Mail" reported mysterious objects "buzzing" a house at Summerholme, near Laidley, QLD, accompanied by a hissing sound. Eight or nine cylindrical objects, about 1 ft. in diameter, were seen to plunge into the ground about half-a-mile away.
• December 24, 1963: A follow-up report indicated a search failed to find the objects.
• January 10, 1964: "Herald" reported that over 400 man-made objects, termed "junk," are orbiting Earth, many from the break-up of the United States Navy's Transit 4-A rocket.
• January 29, 1964: "Herald" reported colored lights in the northern sky over Melbourne, attributed by weather men to sun's rays refracted through ice crystals.
• Undated: "Sun" reported a glowing light above Melbourne, described as travelling from north-east to south-east, possibly an American Echo satellite.

Sightings Over Bairnsdale

• April 13, 1964: Mr. Henry Ryan of Bairnsdale reported a vivid blue flash followed by a blue and orange object spiraling towards the earth, then swinging upwards and descending in a zig-zag pattern. It was described as faster than anything seen before, with four jets appearing behind it. Mr. Danny Haylock of the Vic. Flying Saucer Research Society noted the rarity of people admitting such sightings.

Surveillance From Outer Space by Paul Norman

This article discusses the shift in astronomical opinion regarding the possibility of intelligent life in the universe. It notes the historical skepticism and the current acceptance of billions of planets potentially supporting life. The author touches upon the secrecy surrounding UFO investigations, citing General Twining's comment on "best scientific brains" working on the mystery under tight censorship. The article mentions "foo fighters" observed during WWII and Lord Dowding's estimate of over 100,000 sightings. It highlights recent observations of UFOs pacing man-made satellites and manned space flights, suggesting a primary concern for observers is the relationship between UFOs and space efforts. Questions are raised about the origin, intentions, and future actions of these unknown observers. The article also mentions the U.S. government's study of reactions to first contact with extraterrestrial civilizations and the increasing difficulty of maintaining secrecy.

Lunar and Martian Observations

The article notes increased interest in the Moon, with indications of UFO bases. It also discusses the possibility of intelligent life on Mars. It references Nikolai Kozyrev's 1961 report of a lunar "eruption," and observations of peculiar spots near Aristarchus in October 1963. Rudolph M. Lippert reported a yellowish-orange flash on the Moon in 1953, and Dr. H. P. Wilkins noted a brilliant glow in the Aristarchus-Herodotus region in 1950. Small white hills on the Moon, observed to come and go, are speculated to be lunar domes. The peculiar behavior of Mars's two tiny moons, Phobos and Deimos, is also mentioned, leading to speculation they might be space stations. A 1937 report by Dr. Tsuneo Saheki of a bright flare on Mars is recalled, along with Dr. Slipher's 1941 report of a mysterious change in the Solis Lacus region, suggesting a possible atomic explosion or increased surveillance from outer space.

Unusual Cloud Formations

This section, written by a member of V.F.S.R.S. with atmospheric science studies, addresses how some moving lights are mistaken for planets like Venus or Mars. It explains that saucer-shaped objects can be mistaken for well-developed wave clouds, particularly lens-shaped (lenticular) clouds that form in the lee of obstacles. These clouds are often solitary and appear stationary. The article includes two photos illustrating such cloud formations, one from the Australian Antarctic Research Expedition to Heard Island and another from England, comparing them to saucer shapes.

Flying Saucer Magazines

• A list of overseas publications on the saucer field is provided, including:
• Flying Saucer Review (UK)
• Saucer News (USA)
• The A. P. R. O. Bulletin (USA)
• Orbit (UK)
• Flying Saucers (USA)
• The Little Listening Post (USA)
• Saucers, Space & Science (Canada)
• Space Review (UK)

Flying Saucer Research at Ballarat

This section reports on the Ballarat Astronomical Society's efforts to promote research and discussion on flying saucers. They planned a public meeting for February, following a successful lecture by Peter Norris. Mr. William H. Sloane of V.F.R.S. is mentioned as a key figure.

Flying Saucer Conference

The Ballarat Astronomical Society has been studying UFOs for years. Following the success of Peter Norris's lecture, they decided to make it an annual event, encouraging participation from researchers and the public. They hope for cooperation from other astronomical societies and note public interest in Ballarat.

Book Review: Flying Saucers and The Three Men by Albert K. Bender

Reviewed by I. H. Godden, this section critically examines Albert K. Bender's book, published by Gray Barker. The reviewer dismisses the book as "monstrous clap-trap" and an insult to U.F.O. researchers. The book's premise involves "three men in black" who revealed UFO secrets to Bender and threatened him with dire consequences if he spoke. The reviewer finds Bender's story of extraterrestrials stealing water from Earth's oceans and using human bodies as vessels to be absurd. The review also criticizes an epilogue by Barker, which is described as contradictory and self-serving.

A Reader's Diary

This section notes the scarcity of valuable new books on U.F.O. research since Coral Lorenzen's "The Great Flying Saucer Hoax" in 1962. It mentions references to flying saucers in literature outside the U.F.O. field, citing "The Dawn of Magic" by Louis Pauwels & Jacques Bergier, which discusses Charles Fort and metaphysical speculation, but also includes an attack on flying saucers as a "significant social phenomenon." The section also critiques Philip Wylie's essay, which attributes UFO beliefs to a need for mythology when scientific data is withheld by the government. A mention is made of Stephen Darbyshire's sighting and photograph of a flying saucer in "In Mountain Lakeland" by A. H. Griffin.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include detailed eyewitness accounts of UFO sightings across Australia, investigations into potential explanations (both conventional and unconventional), and discussions on government secrecy and public perception of UFO phenomena. The editorial stance, particularly in the main editorial and Paul Norman's article, emphasizes the need for rational investigation, education, and a cautious approach to avoid hindering the study of UFOs. There is a clear skepticism towards sensationalism and a call for rigorous data collection and analysis, as seen in the section on cloud formations. The Society appears to be a serious research group aiming to collate and disseminate information, while also acknowledging the challenges posed by public skepticism and potential government cover-ups.