AUSTRALIAN UFO BULLETIN

Magazine Overview

Title: AUSTRALIAN UFO BULLETIN
Issue: November 1978
Publisher: THE VICTORIAN U.F.O. RESEARCH SOCIETY
Country: Australia
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of the Australian UFO Bulletin, published in November 1978, focuses significantly on the mysterious disappearance of pilot Frederick Valentich over Bass Strait and compiles various UFO sightings and related phenomena from Australia and internationally.

The Bass Strait Flap

The lead article, "The Bass Strait Flap" by Paul Norman, details the events surrounding pilot Frederick Valentich's disappearance on October 21st, 1978. Valentich, flying a single-engined Cessna 182 from Melbourne to King Island, reported being followed by a large aircraft with four bright lights travelling at high speed. His last transmission stated, "It's not an aircraft." The article highlights the joint effort by the Tasmanian UFO-Research Centre (TUFOIC) and the Victorian UFO-Research Society (VUFORS) to investigate the activity. It notes that reports of UFOs in the area had been increasing prior to Valentich's incident. The article also touches upon the official response, including a debunking attempt by a Department of Transport spokesman suggesting the pilot was flying upside down, which was quickly refuted by the public's understanding of aircraft mechanics. The bulletin expresses skepticism towards official statements, suggesting a pattern of attempting to debunk sightings or discredit witnesses.

Witness Accounts and Sightings

The issue presents several witness accounts of UFO sightings:

• King Island: Mrs. K.M. described a white or silver object, like a huge golf ball, moving west toward the sea.
• Geelong: Fourteen-year-old Mark L. and his friends observed two silvery cigar-shaped objects moving slowly, connected by silver pipes, with no visible means of propulsion.
• Cape Otway: Mrs. G. and her son saw two silver cigar-shaped objects moving slowly from the South West, maintaining formation and changing color to white before speeding away silently.
• Frankston: A glowing object, described as a mixture of red, pink, and white, was observed stationary, estimated to be the size of the Moon.
• Warrnambool: Two witnesses observed an orange-red light that changed to yellow and moved rapidly at a high speed.

International Reports

The bulletin also includes brief reports from other countries:

• Tokyo, Japan (February 2nd, 1978): An attempt by Nihon Shortwave Broadcasting Company to lure UFOs using spotlights and the movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" soundtrack ended in failure.
• Quebec, Canada (March 14th, 1978): Two individuals claim to have taken photographs of an unidentified flying object hovering over a lake.
• Argentine-Bolivian Border (May 18th, 1978): A long cylindrical object reportedly fell to earth and disappeared in dense jungle, leading to the area being declared a "military emergency zone."

Skepticism and Officialdom

Actor James Doohan, known for his role as 'Scotty' in Star Trek, is quoted expressing skepticism about UFOs, believing they are "electrical displays." He suggests that UFO narratives often involve ordinary people rather than highly intelligent individuals. The article "The Australian" is quoted regarding the pilot's dialogue, suggesting it raises doubts even for UFO cynics.

Missing Pilot Tapes Kept Under Wraps

The Department of Transport is reported to be refusing to release the full tape recording of Frederick Valentich's last conversation, citing that air safety investigators would be better equipped to draw conclusions than the press. Despite a wide search, no trace of Valentich or his aircraft has been found.

Credibility of UFO Sightings Increased

Many residents of King Island are reportedly giving more credibility to UFO sighting reports due to what they perceive as unsatisfactory explanations from official bodies. The description provided by Valentich is considered one of the best-documented accounts in UFO history.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the unexplained disappearance of pilot Frederick Valentich, the investigation into UFO activity in Australia, and a critical stance towards official explanations, which are often viewed as attempts to debunk or conceal information. The editorial stance appears to favor objective investigation and highlights the public's growing skepticism of official narratives regarding UFO phenomena. The bulletin encourages readers to submit eyewitness accounts and information.