Australian UFO Bulletin - 1969 10 - October

Magazine Overview

Title: U.F.O. Bulletin
Issue Date: October 1969
Publisher: Victorian U.F.O. Research Society
Country: Australia
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of the U.F.O. Bulletin delves into various reported UFO incidents and related topics from around the world, with a focus on investigations and witness accounts.

Did U.F.O. Land in New Zealand?

The lead article details an investigation by the Auckland University's U.F.O. Research Group into a circle found in a tea-tree area near Ngatea, New Zealand. The circle, approximately 56 feet in diameter, contained dead, whitened tea-trees. Mr. B.G. O'neil, the owner of the property, noted the trees appeared to have suffered radiation burns. Within the circle, three equidistant depressions were found, measuring about 2 feet across and 8 inches deep. Two of these depressions had furrows radiating outwards. A crude radiography test for radioactivity in the depressions and the center of the circle yielded negative results. Soil and scrub samples were collected, and a piece of tea-tree was submitted for a gamma spectrum test, which also proved negative. However, news emerged that field helpers and a horticulturalist had detected abnormal radiation in their samples, and the group was attempting to contact them for further details.

Lunar Air Force Pooh-Poohs Spidery UFO

This section reports on the lunar air force investigating a UFO sighting in the Sea of Tranquillity. An air force spokesman dismissed the possibility of it being a spaceship from Earth or another planet, suggesting such reports are often optical illusions or caused by crater gas. Despite this official skepticism, residents insisted they saw a strange vehicle land and take off. Mrs. Maudie Tribling described it as spider-like with spindly legs and dishes for feet, breathing fire. Clyde Kipper corroborated the landing and described seeing two 'unmoonly figures' that were white all over with big square backs and glass faces. He claimed they were picking up rocks and then set up a red, white, and blue cloth and saluted it. A lunar air force official called Kipper's statement 'sheer fantasy'.

U.F.O.'s and the Air Force

This article discusses how information about UFO investigations is gained through lectures. It is known that the Air Force investigates UFO reports but does not make the information public, as confirmed by a letter to the Society and a telephone conversation with an R.A.A.F. investigating team member. Mr. and Mrs. Norman Magee reported being informed by three different organizations about a 'Security Plant' at Kodak and possibly other photographic companies. An ex-employee of Kodak stated that 'foreigners' would check files for photos involving military establishments or the 'unusual', and employees were instructed not to release any doubtful images.

Radiation Fear

Reporting from the United Nations, this section states that radiation in the atmosphere and radioactive material deposits have increased significantly over the past two years, attributed to Communist Chinese and French nuclear surface tests. Atmospheric radiation had decreased to a low level before 1966 but was 'about doubled' by the new tests. The UN's scientific committee on the effects of atomic radiation also reported findings on close-range radiation effects on human embryos, based on observations of Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombing victims, and animal experiments showing damage to intra-uterine life.

World Round-up

Colombia: A man named Arcesi Bermudez died from a mystery sickness after claiming to have seen a blue and orange flying saucer with flashing lights in his back garden. He approached within three yards of the saucer before returning to fetch a torch, at which point it flew away. Doctors were baffled by his extremely low temperature and gastro-enteritis diagnosis.

England: Mr. Neil Piper reported his Alsation dog, Tex, became terrified and whimpered upon hearing a noise that sounded like a helicopter's rotor blades and a generator. Piper then saw a disc-shaped object, silvery and glowing, moving slowly across the estate before disappearing. He described himself as 'frozen, terrified'.

Society News

General Meetings: The next meeting was scheduled for Friday, November 7th, at 8 p.m. in the Horticultural Hall. It included a lecture by Mr. Leslie Adam and a report by the Society's Sightings Investigation Officer on UFO photographs taken in Western Australia.

Sightings Nights: The Committee planned to organize sighting nights to the Dandenongs and other areas, with members invited to advise the Secretary if they wished to participate.

Gallup Poll on UFO's: Australia: A Gallup poll indicated that believers and disbelievers in UFOs were equally divided at 39% each, with 22% undecided. This compared to 35% believers, 42% disbelievers, and 23% undecided in 1966.

Chariots of the Gods

This section mentions a book titled 'Chariots of the Gods' that was due to reach bookstands in mid-to-late November. It notes that country members interested in ordering a copy should write to the Secretary.

RAAF Chases UFO Over Darling Downs

An RAAF Canberra bomber was dispatched from Amberley air force base to chase a mystery flying object over northern New South Wales after hundreds of people reported sightings. The object, described as shaped like an aluminium zeppelin, hovered low over townships and farms for over three hours. The bomber crew sighted it but failed to get near enough to identify it as it accelerated away and vanished.

Is Something Watching?

This piece discusses a book by Robert Chapman, science writer for the Sunday Express, which gathers reports of UFO sightings. It mentions two policemen seeing a flying cross on Dartmoor, a farmer watching a drum-like craft unfold its wings, and hundreds of sightings in Warminster, Wiltshire, throughout the sixties. The book reportedly shows that photographs can be faked, and Chapman dismisses George Adamski as 'the most intelligent and lucid deluded man I have met'. Chapman himself has witnessed lights over Warminster and believes UFOs are not bunkum.

U.S.S.R. Scientist Talks of Space Contacts

Eminent Soviet astronomer Viktor Ambartsumyan discusses the probability of advanced civilizations existing on distant planets. He suggests contact might be centuries away but that the pursuit of such signals increases interest in astronomy. Professor Rudolf Pesek and about 60 colleagues are more certain that contact will be established sooner, possibly within decades. Pesek has been trying to convene an international scientific congress on the subject, scheduled for Prague in September 1969, focusing on Communication with Exterrestrial Intelligence (CETI). He believes that human presence on the Moon will bring the day of extraterrestrial contact nearer and does not exclude Mars as a potential home for life. Pesek emphasizes the need for a global network of investigation stations to expedite the process.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include UFO sightings and landings, investigations into physical traces left by alleged UFOs, and the potential for extraterrestrial contact. There's a consistent focus on witness testimonies, even when met with official skepticism. The publication also addresses broader concerns such as radiation fears and the scientific community's engagement with the possibility of advanced alien civilizations. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFO phenomena, presenting various reports and investigations without outright dismissal, while also acknowledging official positions and scientific skepticism.