Australian UFO Bulletin - 1975 08 - August

Magazine Overview

This issue of the U.F.O. Bulletin, published by the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society in August 1975, focuses on the growing international efforts to study UFO phenomena and presents a collection of recent sightings from Australia and abroad.

CUFOS and ACOS: International UFO Research Efforts

The lead article details the establishment and operation of the Centre for UFO Studies (CUFOS), founded by Dr. J. Allen Hynek in Evanston, Illinois, USA. CUFOS aims to scientifically analyze UFO observations from around the world, supported by private funds. It has gained cooperation from over 5,000 police departments, sheriff's offices, and pilots in the U.S. The Smithsonian Institution assists by forwarding reports, and the Federal Aviation Administration has acknowledged CUFOS, even updating its handbook to include information about the center.

Australia has joined this global network with the launch of the Australian Co-ordination Section (ACOS) in November 1974, headquartered in Gosford, NSW. Co-ordinated by Harry Griesberg and David Seargent, ACOS collects detailed information on Australian UFO cases for dispatch to the American center. ACOS has published two bulletins and reports that all Australian states are cooperating, with almost every organization and individual researcher participating. Reports on 46 cases have already been sent to America, including five from VUFORS.

Significant developments include the RAAF's agreement to make selected, more interesting cases available to Professor Hynek. Dr. Hynek has resigned as Chairman of the Department of Astronomy at Northwestern University to devote more time to CUFOS, though he remains Professor of Astronomy.

Important Membership Information

A notice indicates that if an 'X' appears in a designated box, membership expires with this issue. Annual membership fees are listed as $4.20 for Australian members and US$2.50 for overseas members, with a reduced rate of $2.10 for pensioners and juniors under 18.

FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Features CUFOS

Page 2 notes that the February 1975 issue of the FBI's official publication, "FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin," included a lengthy article about CUFOS. The article discussed how law enforcement personnel can assist the center, analyzed cases witnessed by police, and detailed the origin of UFO CENTRAL. It also provided guidance on questions law officers should ask witnesses and discussed UFO types and common misperceptions. Following the article's publication, CUFOS received over 100 inquiries for its toll-free hotline.

Conference of Australian UFO Researchers

Australia's first conference on UFOs, dubbed "UFOCON ONE," is being organized jointly by ACOS and UFO Research of South Australia. It is scheduled to be held in Gosford, NSW, on October 4-6, 1975. The conference aims to bring together research representatives from various Australian organizations to discuss the state of UFO research, standardize methods, and improve information exchange. Several representatives from VUFORS are expected to attend.

Sightings Convert a UFO Sceptic

A newsman and radio director in Minnesota, Michael J. Douglas, compiled a list of recent UFO sightings, stating that something important is happening. Initially skeptical, Douglas became a believer after two personal sightings and has since investigated over 130 cases, many within a mile radius. He is active in forming a nationwide network to collect UFO data.

Canadian UFO Photos

Authenticated daylight photographs of "flying saucers" taken in southern Ontario by 19-year-old Pat McCarthy have astounded authorities. The photos, taken on March 18, 1975, depict an object described as "twice the size of a DC8" zigzagging at high speed. Dr. Frank Maine, a scientist in the Canadian parliament, believes the photos "may provide irrefutable evidence space craft are flying over Ontario." Military experts and scientists examined the photos for trickery, with one scientist stating, "All we can say with absolute certainty is that it is an unidentified flying object." The object appeared to have a metallic silvery surface and, in one clear shot, showed faint projections resembling legs.

Police Chief's Close Encounter

White Lake, North Carolina Police Chief Gary Moore reported an extended confrontation with a brilliantly lit craft on April 3, 1975. The object descended, illuminated the area, and after Moore observed it with binoculars and a landing light, it ascended rapidly at about 200 mph. Moore described the vehicle as V-shaped with lights and no sound. Other witnesses also observed the craft.

Back Issues of "Flying Saucer Review"

Seven back issues of the Society's magazine, "Australian Flying Saucer Review," are available for purchase, with prices varying based on the issue number and whether purchased by Australian or overseas members. Postage charges are also listed.

The Horsham Sighting

This section reprints an article from the Horsham Mail-Times and includes an interview with Mr. Fred Randel, who described a sighting on March 14, 1975. Randel experienced a sudden feeling of apprehension before seeing a "great big thing" that appeared to be a large shadow, possibly round or slightly oval, with no noise. He estimated its speed to be that of a glider and its size around 100 feet. He noted lights of various colors on the opposite side of the river, suggesting a solid body.

Silent, Brilliant Flying Object Was Not an Aircraft

A letter to the editor of the Papua-New Guinea Post Courier, dated October 4, 1974, describes a sighting by A. E. Cridland. While watching swallows, Cridland observed a brilliantly illuminated, noiseless object moving slowly, which he initially mistook for a Cessna aircraft. He noted brilliant white lights forming an egg shape in the cabin area and other lights at the tail section. The object hovered and then moved northerly, disappearing behind trees. He estimated its size to be similar to a single-engine Cessna. Other staff members also reported seeing the craft.

Pilot Sighting Identified as Space Debris

The Department of Defence explained a March 6 sighting by a pilot as falling satellite debris. The Centre For UFO Studies - Australian Coordination Section investigated and confirmed that the object was predicted to fall in the Adelaide area on March 5, 1975. The description "green meteor" suggests a high copper content.

Sighting Over Melbourne... and More About April, 1974

A Melbourne man reported seeing two exceptionally bright lights on May 28, 1975, travelling east to west. He discounted reflections and aircraft, noting pedestrians also observed the lights. He compared their intensity to Venus at its brightest but noted their movement and the presence of a twin light. He also recalled a similar sighting in early 1973, involving twin lights that were officially explained as Venus and Mars, but which he and his family witnessed as a large, silent object.

This section also references a "flap" of UFO activity in mid-April 1974, with police reporting incidents and numerous sightings across several states. Specific reports include:

• April 8, Tasmania: About 50 people watched a "single light grey light" move slowly.
• April 8, Tasmania: A glowing red object was seen circling near the Burnie wharves.
• April 8, Ballarat: Three witnesses saw a glowing oval object moving east to west below cloud level, spinning and flashing lights.
• April 12, N.S.W.: Mrs. Hyland reported two lights beaming down, followed by a swishing noise, dog barking, and TV blacking out.
• April 12, N.S.W.: Three individuals fishing saw a large, H-shaped luminous object approach and then disappear.
• April 14, Tasmania: Two objects, one large elliptical yellow disc with a beam and a smaller one, were seen approaching from the NW, making a noise louder than a jet aircraft upon departure.
• April 14, Adelaide: A stationary object appeared and disappeared, then hovered, described as a bright oval light with a dark figure inside, and flashing red and blue lights.
• April 15, N.S.W.: Constables reported a fluttering noise and objects resembling helicopters with winking landing lights.
• April 15, South Australia: Four schoolgirls were terrified by a brilliant light descending and hovering over them, described as a round, flat-based flying thing with a flashing blue light.
• April 15, South Australia: A 17-year-old reported seeing three beams of light from an object moving quickly, causing car radio interference.
• April 15, South Australia: A large, brightly lit object flew overhead faster than any plane, making no noise.
• April 15, South Australia: A French boy and his sister reported a silent, slow-moving object.
• April 15, South Australia: Three strange lights were seen flashing and spinning in a triangular formation.
• April 15, South Australia: An object moved in circles, flashing a bright light.
• April 16, Tasmania: Three witnesses watched maneuvering lights for over two hours.
• April 16, South Australia: Seven people observed an oval-shaped dark object with white and orange lights, which was later suggested to be related to RAAF planes.

The issue notes that while many manifestations were dismissed as optical effects of planets, an RAAF spokesman acknowledged that some sightings remained unexplained.

More Tasmanian Sightings

1974 was a significant year for UFO sightings in Tasmania, with the Tasmanian UFO Investigation Centre (TUFOIC) investigating 133 reports, unable to explain 37 of them. The TUFOIC annual report is available.

A spectacular sighting occurred on February 26, 1975, at Lake Sorell, involving a professional man and artist. He witnessed three objects, two large and one smaller, with red pulsing lights. One object approached rapidly, estimated to be 200 feet in diameter, and illuminated the lake with a powerful beam. The object was described as "fantastic" and "intelligent."

Another sighting logged by TUFOIC was made by Roy Garwood on April 18, 1975, near the Hayes Gaol Farm. He saw what appeared to be arc-welding sparks that rose and flew off, changing color, leading him to reconsider his skepticism about UFOs.

A June 26 sighting near Runnymede involved Mr. Douglas Newell observing a dome-shaped "metallic object" with red pulsing lights, estimated to be 18-30 feet in diameter. The object moved towards him before disappearing. Newell stated it matched a drawing by another witness.

"Saucer" Sighted?

On Saturday afternoon, four boys in Coonamble, N.S.W., reported seeing a "big silver disc with a big light on top" making a "buzzing" sound. They believed it was a "flying saucer" due to its speed, lack of smoke trail, and peculiar sound.

Unidentified Flying Object?

Ruth L. Henry of Bonshaw reported an unusual object on Tuesday morning, described as "two tubes of light" with cascading spray-like light and a metal connection with a light at the top.

Noisy UFO

Two young men near Molongle Creek, Queensland, reported a round object, about 12 feet across, hovering silently with red and orange lights. Upon departure, it made a noise "louder than that of a large jet aircraft." The object returned and was seen by another witness.

Mystery of "Big Disc" in the Sky

Mr. Jim Moxon of Como claimed to have watched a "big disc" surrounded by lights and revolving over the Swan River for about five minutes. He described it as larger than a jumbo jet, noiseless, and lacking aircraft lights.

Five Men Get Close Look at "Flying Saucer"

Five men from Yamba pursued a bright orange and green "flying saucer" along the Yamba Road on Tuesday night. The object, described as saucer-shaped with a dome, red lights underneath, and at either end, was estimated to be at least 30 feet in diameter. It hovered, dropped lower, and disappeared into a cane field. The men followed it for about an hour, noting its pulsating colors and lack of noise.

Sky Object "Not an Aeroplane"

Mr. D. L. White and Mr. W. Lynch reported seeing a "cigar shaped object" about 20 miles from Whyalla, South Australia. They stated it was not an aeroplane, being much larger, hovering for about 15 minutes, and having a light at one end. It disappeared in seconds, leaving a trail of vapor.

Six People Claim Sighting of UFO

Six people in Maryborough, Queensland, reported being frightened by an unidentified flying object on the Bruce Highway. They initially saw two lights, then six lights visible from the car windows. The object vanished when the interior light was turned on.

UFO Sighted by Boys Near Maryborough

Two youths in Maryborough reported seeing flashing lights over Dayman Point, which caused neighborhood dogs to bark and cats to howl. They experienced pains in their necks, which subsided when the lights disappeared.

More UFOs Sighted Near Maryborough

Despite rainy and overcast skies, several UFOs were sighted in the Maryborough district. Greg Curtis and friends watched bright, yellowish lights hovering, appearing and disappearing in groups, and fading out in a blur before reappearing as small lights.

More UFOs Are Sighted

Mrs. M. Walton of Bell St. reported seeing a tambourine-shaped object with five flashing lights that hovered and then shot out of sight. She stated that this experience converted her from skepticism. Astronomer Mr. Mervyn Jones suggested Venus as a possible explanation for a bright light, but noted heavy cloud cover. Army exercises using parachute flares were also considered but ruled out.

Mr. A. E. Odorico reported seeing two lights, not shining forward, which he felt had a spiritual source. Mr. Ian Short saw strange lights while fishing, which rose, hovered, and glowed reddish-yellow before disappearing.

A UFO! Bright Lights and All

A Queensland man, Eric Falkenburger, reported sighting a bright object in the Coonabarabran district. The object passed within 500 meters, travelled slowly about 10 meters above treetops, and then shot off at great speed, emitting cone-shaped searchlights.

Research Assistance Wanted

The Society is seeking volunteers with cars and telephones to assist with witness interviews and report writing.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the increasing number of UFO sightings reported globally, the growing efforts by civilian research organizations like CUFOS and ACOS to systematically collect and analyze this data, and the tentative engagement of some official bodies with these investigations. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into the UFO phenomenon, presenting witness accounts and research findings without overt skepticism, while also acknowledging official explanations like satellite debris. The publication aims to inform its readership about the latest developments in UFO research and reporting.