Australian UFO Bulletin - 1984 03 - March

Magazine Overview

Title: THE AUSTRALIAN U.F.O. BULLETIN
Issue: March 1984
Publisher: The Victorian U.F.O. Research Society
Country: Australia
Date: March 1984

This issue of The Australian U.F.O. Bulletin, published by The Victorian U.F.O. Research Society (VUFORS), focuses on UFO sightings, investigations, and the history of the organization. The cover prominently displays the magazine's title and the VUFORS logo, along with an address for 'ARCHIVES FOR UFO RESEARCH' in Sweden, indicating international connections.

Society History

The magazine provides a detailed history of the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society. It traces the origins of UFO research groups in Australia back to the early 1950s with the 'Australian Flying Saucer Bureau' and the 'Australian Flying Saucer Research Society'. The Victorian branch was formed on February 17th, 1957, and underwent name changes, eventually becoming the 'Victorian U.F.O. Research Society' in 1968. The society has published various papers, including the 'Australian Flying Saucer Review' and the 'Australian U.F.O. Bulletin', and has maintained a dispassionate, scientific approach to the subject. It also boasts the largest UFO library in the Southern Hemisphere and offers membership to interested individuals.

Editorial: Earthquakes and UFOs

The editorial draws attention to the increasing frequency of earthquakes globally and posits a potential link to UFO activity. It cites historical earthquake statistics and notes that orthodox scientists, who once dismissed such data, are now being challenged. A theory is presented that UFOs might be a result of stress along fault lines, originating from reservoirs of light within minerals like quartz. The editorial questions why a peak in earthquakes worldwide isn't accompanied by a corresponding 'UFO Flap'.

Key Articles and Reports

UFOs over Yugoslavia: This section details a significant sighting on October 3rd, 1983, by nine amateur astronomers in Split, Yugoslavia. They observed an unusual, bright, oval/oblong object with twinkling blue-white light, which they concluded was a 'flying saucer'. The report includes detailed observations of the object's movement, light intensity changes, and its course across the sky.

The May '83 Flap and Bendigo Photographs: This is a major investigative report detailing a mass sighting in Victoria, Australia, between May 20th and 25th, 1983. Over 300 people reported seeing lights, with a specific event on May 20th involving 6 to 8 objects hovering over Bendigo. The report highlights the urgency created when a photograph of one of the lights was published in a local newspaper. The investigation involved collecting witness testimonies and photographs, including those from Mike Evans and Russell Hawthorn. The RAAF also conducted an investigation. The collected photographic material was sent to the United States for computer analysis, with results expected later. The report notes that while many witnesses agreed on the conical or cylindrical shape and changing lights, only one photograph was deemed a bonafide UFO by computer analysis.

Reports from the 'May Flap':

• Romsey, N.W. Melbourne (May 15th, 1983): A motorist reported seeing a bright white light with green conical lights. Constable Harry Witkiss corroborated seeing an object with two cones of green light, which appeared to be descending gradually.
• Flora Hill, Bendigo (May 20th, 1983): Radio announcer Mike Evens reported seeing 6 objects emitting brilliant lights that changed colour rapidly. Hundreds of calls flooded the radio station reporting similar sightings.
• Bendigo (May 20th, 1983): Mr. Paul Davis, a radio announcer, witnessed lights that changed colour from green to red to white at an astonishing speed. He also noted hundreds of calls reporting brilliant lights, with one caller describing a cone-shaped object.
• Bendigo (May 20th, 1983): A man reported being tailed by a UFO from Long Gully into Bendigo.

The Melton Police Encounter: Mentioned as a significant UFO encounter in Victoria that occurred on July 22nd, 1983.

Other Content

Subscription Rates: Details are provided for full membership ($5.00 per annum) and overseas membership ($7.00 U.S.A.), with single copies available for 50¢ plus postage.

Welcome: The Society welcomes reports of unusual aerial phenomena, assures confidentiality, and exchanges information with similar organizations worldwide.

Copyright: No material from this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent.

Mutual UFO Network Symposium: Information is provided about the 15th Annual MUFON UFO Symposium to be held in San Antonio, Texas, on July 7-8, 1984, with the theme 'Public Forum'.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the detailed investigation of UFO sightings, the analysis of photographic and video evidence, and the historical context of UFO research in Australia. The editorial stance is one of scientific inquiry, encouraging members to contribute evidence and share information. There is a clear emphasis on the need for rigorous investigation and a critical, yet open, approach to the phenomenon. The society positions itself as a key organization for UFO research in the Southern Hemisphere, actively engaging with both local and international UFO communities.

This issue of "On the UFO Trail" (Issue 11, Copyright 1984) focuses on UFO activity and related technological concepts, primarily from Australia. The cover prominently features the "Russell Henthorn Photograph" from May 24, 1983, alongside diagrams illustrating observed UFO shapes and a 'Honeycomb' UFO drawing from May 20, 1983, based on witness Michael Evans' description. The publication is associated with VUFORS (Victorian UFO Research Society) and John W. Auchettl.

UFO Flap in Victoria, June 1983

The article by Paul Norman details a significant UFO flap experienced in Victoria, Australia, during June 1983. Norman notes that such flaps are difficult to investigate due to the challenge of securing details and the influx of mistaken identities and biased opinions. He contrasts this with the more rigorously investigated Kaikoura report and the New Zealand flap of 1978-79, which provided evidence of unexplained phenomena. The article also mentions the problem of individuals creating 'fast buck' schemes with phony photos and false reports, which consume valuable time and resources.

VUFORS investigators, including John Auchettl and Pat Gildea, were actively interviewing witnesses across the state. Judith Magee managed the influx of reports via telephone, while Stafford Hall, the Membership Secretary, handled new memberships and reinstated members whose interest fluctuated with UFO activity.

Mildura Sightings, October 1982

The issue highlights previously unpublicized UFO sightings that occurred near Mildura in October 1982. These reports were officially investigated and remain unexplained. VUFORS received these reports from an official source, with the observers' identities kept confidential. Paul Norman conducted a follow-up investigation in Mildura.

One witness described an unusual yellow light hovering and maneuvering before speeding away silently. The object then stopped abruptly and exhibited quick movements, changing height like a butterfly over flowers, before speeding towards the Southern Cross.

Another report from Mildura involved two people observing an orange light moving from 160 degrees. The object stopped motionless and noiseless near the Mildura airport, then shot off at 90 degrees with phenomenal speed and rate of climb, leaving no trace.

An official investigator confirmed that no civil or military aircraft were in the Mildura area during these sightings, and the witness stated the object was the fastest he had ever seen.

VUFORS Exhibition: Close Encounters of the Real Kind

VUFORS announced an exhibition of UFO evidence to be held at the Royal Society in Melbourne on March 10, 1984. The exhibition was to feature 100 real and hoax photos from around the world, covering topics from Ancient Astronauts to modern UFOs, and UFOs in relation to the United Nations and the House of Lords. It would also include information on the disappearance of pilot Frederick Valentich during an encounter with an unidentified flying object.

VUFORS Emblem or Logo

The article explains the design of the VUFORS emblem, which consists of three elements: the Society's title, a symbolic UFO, and the sky and space. The white lettering represents the Society's endeavor to present true facts. The UFO, depicted in outline with golden light, symbolizes its elusive nature. The dark-blue ground represents the sky and endless realms beyond.

Magnocraft: The Earth's Version of a USO

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to an article by Dr. Jan Pajak of New Zealand, titled "Magnocraft - The Earth's Version of a USO." Pajak describes a hypothetical spacecraft, predicted to be operational within two decades, with characteristics similar to observed UFOs: noiselessness, pollution-free operation, incredibly high speeds (up to 70,000 km/h in atmosphere, near light speed in free space), ability to withstand extreme pressure and temperature, visual and radar invisibility, an incandescent glow, and the ability to move through solid matter.

The Magnocraft's propulsion system is based on two types of magnetic propulsors: a main propulsor (M) that repels the Earth's magnetic field to provide lift, and multiple side propulsors (U) that attract the environmental field to stabilize the craft. The article includes detailed diagrams (Figures 1, 2, and 3) illustrating the construction, operation, and potential configurations of Magnocraft, including spherical and stacked cigar-shaped flying complexes.

Pajak suggests that the completion of the first working Magnocraft could be achieved by observing UFOs and copying their technology. He posits that the leading country in UFO research will likely build this spacecraft within twelve to sixteen years. The article lists several publications by Pajak related to propulsion development and UFO identification.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the investigation of UFO phenomena, the presentation of photographic evidence, and the exploration of advanced propulsion concepts potentially linked to UFO technology. VUFORS appears to maintain a stance of serious investigation, aiming to uncover factual information about UFOs while acknowledging the challenges posed by hoaxes and skepticism. The inclusion of Dr. Pajak's Magnocraft theory suggests an openness to speculative, yet scientifically grounded, ideas about the nature and origin of UFOs, viewing them as potentially advanced technological craft.