Australian UFO Bulletin - 1973

Magazine Overview

This issue of the Australian U.F.O. Bulletin, dated Summer 1973 and published by the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society, focuses heavily on the upcoming visit and address of Dr. J. Allen Hynek, a prominent figure in UFO research. The cover highlights a "MAJOR EVENT" where Dr. Hynek, former Chief Civilian consultant to the U.S. Air Force, will speak in Melbourne on September 9th. The bulletin also includes a "NEWSLETTER" section and reports on UFO activity around Australia in 1973.

Dr. J. Allen Hynek's Visit and Views

The lead article details Dr. Hynek's impending visit to Australia, coinciding with the International Astronomical Meeting in Sydney. He is scheduled to address the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society at Dallas Brooks Hall, Melbourne. The event is heavily advertised, and members are urged to arrive early due to anticipated high attendance, potentially up to 2,000 people. Admission is $1.00 for members and $2.00 for non-members, with a discount on his new book, "The UFO Experience," available at the event. Dr. Hynek, who holds BS and PhD degrees in Astronomy from the University of Chicago and has a background at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, is also noted for his work establishing the United States Program for Optical Tracking of Satellites. He expresses interest in interviewing close encounter witnesses whose sightings occurred in daytime and is not particularly interested in common 'lights in the sky' unless exceptional.

A separate article, referencing the Warrnambool "Standard" of July 30th, 1973, elaborates on Dr. Hynek's critical stance towards the U.S. Air Force's handling of UFO reports. Citing his book "The UFO Experience - A Scientific Enquiry," Hynek accuses the Air Force of suppressing unexplained sightings and creating a "curtain of ridicule." He criticizes their methods of explanation, such as misidentifying objects as Jupiter or aircraft when they were not present, and notes that unclassified files contained data on strange lights, radar effects, and physical evidence. Hynek suggests a more objective, statistical approach to UFO research and calls for international scientific stations to handle reports with dignity, potentially under the United Nations.

UFO Sightings Across Australia (1973)

The bulletin provides a comprehensive list of UFO sightings reported across various Australian states throughout 1973, categorized by month:

• January 30: A large, noiseless, silver boomerang-shaped object was observed over Rockhampton, Queensland, moving at high speed.
• February 2: Two "definitely saucer-shaped" objects with turrets were seen near Worldai, Queensland, emitting bright flashing lights.
• February: Three identical "burnt off" circular patches, 17 feet in diameter, were discovered in paddocks near Temora, New South Wales.
• March 12: Circular marks appeared in a sugar drip field in Roma, Queensland, coinciding with UFO reports in the area.
• April: A couple in Naracoorte, South Australia, observed a very bright, pale orange glowing object hovering for five minutes.
• April 12: Two Gladstone women reported seeing a square object with flashing red and green lights flying low over a state school.
• April 20: The Hirsimaki family reported a "zooming" UFO near Longreach, Queensland, described as a bright light that spun and then disappeared at high speed, causing their car battery to go flat.
• April 22: A 13-year-old girl reported a large round object glowing brightly and hovering at high altitude near Mcranbah, Queensland, before descending and appearing to land.
• April 28: Four teenagers claimed to have seen a UFO land in a paddock near Kempsey, New South Wales. The object was described as bright yellow with lime green, changing to reddish orange, and dome-shaped.
• May 2: Mr. R.R. Zadow experienced his engine and lights cutting out while driving on his property in Kalyan, South Australia, with a glowing object about 18 inches across overhead. The lights and engine returned to normal after the UFO departed.
• May 18: A witness reported a UFO hovering over a vehicle in Murray Bridge, South Australia, emitting a strange pulsating light.
• May 23: Mr. M.C. Sherlock reported his three teenage children were frightened by a large, round, spinning object with multiple colored lights while driving near Mt. Gambier, South Australia. The object followed their car before ascending rapidly.
• May: Reports indicated that UFOs were making regular appearances in the Roma and District areas of Queensland.
• June: Two large circles were found at Bellbridge on the shores of Lake Hume, attributed to UFO landings.
• June: Mr. Tom Bradden expressed certainty that something from space had created weird circles on his property, burning the ground and leaving white powder.

International UFO Reports

The bulletin also includes international UFO reports:

• Mozambique (February 8, 1973): A Boeing 737 jet was followed by an unidentified flying object for 20 minutes.
• England (February 12, 1973): An "Evening Echo" report from Hemel Hempstead described a mysterious object hovering near a road, appearing as a large, yellow glowing ball.
• England (February 9, 1973): The Dover Express reported an unidentified flying object landing and taking off near Dover, described as a large amber flaming ball.
• Canada (August 26, 1967): At McLeese Lake, British Columbia, residents saw a glowing blood-red object move over newly installed power project cables.

Scientific and Theoretical Discussions

An article titled "EINSTEIN HAS BEEN WRONGED" challenges the notion that nothing travels faster than light. It references an article from Australasian Post magazine and discusses astronomical findings about quasars emitting matter at rates up to ten times the speed of light. The article clarifies Einstein's actual statement regarding the speed of light: that at approximately 180,000 miles per second, mass becomes infinite, and time stops, rather than stating it as an ultimate speed limit. It suggests that speeds exceeding light might be possible, leading to phenomena like time-inversion. The article also mentions Cherenkov Radiation, radar compression waves, and neutrinos as examples of phenomena that can exceed the speed of light.

Editorial Stance and Recurring Themes

The overall tone of the bulletin is one of serious investigation into UFO phenomena, advocating for scientific rigor and challenging official dismissals. The recurring themes include:

• Eyewitness Accounts: Detailed reports from individuals across Australia and internationally form the core of the content.
• Scientific Inquiry: Emphasis on Dr. Hynek's call for scientific investigation and objective analysis.
• Official Skepticism vs. Evidence: Highlighting instances where official explanations are questioned or dismissed by researchers and witnesses.
• Physical Evidence: Mention of scorched ground, trace evidence, and unusual ground marks associated with sightings.
• Technological Aspects: Discussions on speed, altitude, and electromagnetic effects related to UFOs.

The bulletin encourages members to report outstanding sightings and to carry their membership cards, indicating an active and engaged research community.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Victorian U.F.O. Research Society, through this bulletin, adopts a stance of open-minded yet critical investigation into UFO phenomena. There is a clear emphasis on gathering and disseminating eyewitness accounts, particularly those that are detailed and corroborated. The inclusion of Dr. J. Allen Hynek's perspective lends significant scientific credibility to the society's efforts, especially his critique of official handling of UFO data. The bulletin actively promotes the idea that UFOs are a subject worthy of serious scientific study, moving beyond mere speculation or dismissal. Recurring themes include the persistent reporting of unusual aerial objects across Australia, the potential for physical evidence left by these objects, and the challenges faced by researchers in obtaining official recognition or funding. The editorial stance is one of encouraging public participation in reporting sightings while advocating for a more systematic and scientific approach to understanding these unexplained phenomena.