Australian UFO Bulletin - 1969 06 - June

Magazine Overview

Title: U.F.O. Bulletin
Issue: NEWSSHEET
Date: June 1969
Publisher: Victorian U.F.O. Research Society

This issue of the U.F.O. Bulletin, published by the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society, focuses on UFO activity in Australia, with a particular emphasis on sightings in Corrigin, Western Australia, and detailed reports of incidents from 1968 in Victoria. The publication also includes a historical account from 1910 and announces upcoming society events.

Corrigin: A UFO Crossroads

The lead article, "PEOPLE THINK CORRIGIN IS ON UFO CROSSROADS," from the "Daily News" in Perth, W.A., highlights Corrigin as a significant UFO hotspot. One resident claims approximately 200 unidentified flying objects have been sighted within an 80-mile radius of the town in the past 18 months. Dedicated UFO watchers reportedly keep detailed maps supporting this theory, though some locals have become desensitized to sightings. Initially, those who spoke about seeing strange objects faced ridicule, but the frequency of sightings has made it harder to ignore. Farmer's wife Mrs. Yvonne Winnett, who has spent five years studying the subject, believes that even if only one percent of objects remain unidentified, the subject is worth investigating, questioning humanity's assumption of being alone in the universe.

Mrs. Winnett notes that reported UFOs have consistently travelled from east to west, contrary to the direction of Earth's satellites. She also describes a pattern of changing colors: red, green, white, and sometimes blue. The majority of UFO stories originate from farmers, with seeding and ploughing times (starting at 4 a.m.) being peak sighting periods.

Ray Smith recounts seeing two UFOs from his tractor. One incident involved a large flashing red light hovering over a spot, which he initially mistook for a plane. He followed army advice to observe the surroundings rather than the object itself, noting it was stationary before fading into a pinhead and reappearing. He experienced a similar event the following week.

Mr. Smith's neighbour, Alan McAndrew, described a morning where everything around him turned blood red, illuminating his tractor and the ground like a neon sign. The red light blinked on and off before disappearing. Smith expressed a desire for UFOs to visit Earth, suggesting they might be hesitant due to fear of human aggression, stating, "We're a war-like nation still."

Housewife Mrs. Shirley Hadgen (19) reported a nightmare experience of a silvery, cigar-shaped object hovering outside her house, changing to green and then a big circle of red.

Richard Kuczma, a spare parts manager, shared two encounters he treated with humor, including firing shots at a hovering object that had no effect.

Mrs. Daphne Krygger and her husband Ron are avid UFO watchers, sitting on their verandah nearly every clear, hot night and observing up to 11 moving objects. Mrs. Krygger is convinced most are manned capsules from other planets and anticipates eventual contact.

Farmer Ken Tipton mentioned seeing a flashing red and green object while on his tractor, which he initially thought might be a helicopter but noted the absence of engine noise. Engine driver Carl Kirk reported seeing strange lights flashing in the sky while working at night.

Historical Sighting: Mysterious Lights at Sea (1910)

The bulletin includes a report from Mrs. A. W. Hunt of Albany, W.A., detailing a UFO encounter from 1910. Captain Nelsson of the coastal steamer Wookata, along with Second Engineer S. Arnold and Helmsman G. Rudd, witnessed curious lights while passing Althorp Island. These bright lights, described as distinct as masthead lights but high in the air, circled the vessel in a peculiar manner. Captain Nelsson, with 45 years of sea experience, stated he had never observed anything similar. The lights were observed on the port bow, ahead, and on the starboard side, appearing as bright as steamer masthead lights, about 200-300 yards distant, and not high in the air. They were described as being 10 yards apart, one slightly above the other. The helmsman compared them to "German airships flying about."

Recent Sightings in Australia (1968)

This section provides a map of Australia highlighting recent sighting locations, including Perth, Corrigin, Mt. Magnet, Esperence, Deniliquin, Wagga, and Albury. It notes that car or truck pacing cases will be covered in the next issue.

Sightings in Victoria

A map of Victoria details sightings in areas like Albury and Bright. The Albury section describes an incident where youths felt compelled to follow a flying saucer for three hours in their Falcon GT, despite the car having only two gallons of petrol. They were puzzled as to how the car did not run out of fuel given its high petrol consumption.

Best Sightings for 1968

January 12th, 1968, Chadstone, Victoria: An object travelling west to south was observed as a large red flashing ball of light, moving at about 100 feet up. It slowed down near a power station, moved up and down like a ping-pong ball, and emitted flashes of light as it rolled over. It then increased speed and disappeared vertically upwards. The witness suffered an ear bleed and pins and needles in her tongue. The R.A.A.F. also investigated this sighting.

March 11th, 1968, Mordialloc, Victoria: A cigar-shaped object with a brightly lit dome was seen low in the sky, moving very slowly, almost hovering, and leaving a grey trail. Its size was estimated as large as a 56 piece held at arm's length. After about 15 minutes, it turned and disappeared at tremendous speed, leaving a grey trail visible from Parkdale.

Other Sightings:

April 11th, 1968, Gisborne, Victoria: Two red lights flashed in an irregular rhythm, moving slowly in a circular pattern towards the west. Suddenly, the lights increased speed, moved in a straight line towards the north, and then disappeared.

Society Activities and Announcements

U.F.O. Exhibition and Membership Drive: The Society is planning a special meeting and exhibition of UFO material for its August General Meeting on Friday, August 1st, at 7:00 p.m. in Melbourne. The exhibition will feature photographs, newspaper clippings, magazines, and books, timed to coincide with the Apollo Moon landing. The meeting agenda includes a lecture with slides, selected tapes, and a question and answer panel. The exhibition will be open before and after the meeting. Members are invited to contact the Secretary with suggestions or to assist in preparation.

Sightings Investigations: Mr. Neville Thornhill, Chief Sightings Investigations Officer, is seeking assistance from members in the city and country areas for investigating sighting reports. Interested members are asked to write to Mr. Thornhill.

Magazine Distribution: The Society is attempting to distribute copies of "Australian Flying Saucer Review" through Victorian newsagencies. Members are encouraged to inquire at their local newsagency about stocking the review on a sale-or-return basis.

Sub-Committee Vacancies: The Support Sub-Committee has vacancies for members interested in taking a more active role in Society affairs, with a particular need for ladies.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the prevalence of UFO sightings across Australia, the detailed investigation of specific incidents, and the active engagement of the Victorian UFO Research Society in collecting and disseminating information. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into UFO phenomena, encouraging witness participation and investigation, while also acknowledging the public's interest in space exploration, as evidenced by the timing of the exhibition with the Apollo Moon landing. There is a clear effort to document both contemporary and historical sightings, suggesting a commitment to building a comprehensive record of UFO activity in Australia.