Australian UFO Bulletin - 1987 06 - June

Magazine Overview

This issue of "The Australian U.F.O. Bulletin" from June 1987, published by The Victorian U.F.O. Research Society, focuses on UFO sightings, historical context, and the society's activities. The cover prominently displays the magazine's title and the society's logo, with a tagline "U.F.O.'S ARE 'ROUND".

Society History

The magazine provides a brief history of UFO research in Australia, tracing its origins back to the "Australian Flying Saucer Bureau" and "Australian Flying Saucer Research Society" in the early 1950s. It details the evolution of these groups, including the formation of the "Australian U.F.O. Investigation Centre" and the establishment of the "Victorian U.F.O. Research Society" on February 17, 1957. The society has published various papers, including the "Australian Flying Saucer Review" and the "Australian U.F.O. Bulletin," and previously sponsored a radio program. It emphasizes its dispassionate, scientific approach to UFOs and maintains the largest UFO library in the Southern Hemisphere, offering postal services to members.

Office Bearers and Membership

The issue lists the office bearers of the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society, including Judith M. Magee (President), Paul Norman (Vice-President), Mark Sawyers (Secretary), Clive Yates (Treasurer), Stafford Hall (Membership Secretary), Paul Norman (Sightings Investigations Officer), John W. Auchettl (Librarian), M. Fernandez (Publications Officer), and Stephen Partridge (Officer). Subscription rates are provided: Full Membership within Australia is $6.00 per annum, including free magazine issues, and Overseas Membership is $U.S. 8.00. A single copy of the magazine is $0.50 Aust. plus postage.

Editorial

The editorial highlights the striking similarities between ancient and modern UFO reports, citing historical accounts from the Royal Records of Thotmes III (circa 1504-1450 BC) describing a "great circle of light." It also mentions Alexander's Army being dispersed by "flying shields" and "foo fighters" reported by pilots during World War II. The editorial then transitions to "circles on the ground" and indentations observed worldwide. It draws parallels between these phenomena and the Rendellsham Forest Incident, where an object reportedly landed near an American base in Suffolk.

Articles and Reports

"On the UFO Trail" by Paul Norman

This article details an unexpected invitation to visit UFO researchers in Mainland China in 1987. It discusses how the Chinese public was kept in the dark about major events like the moon landing and UFOs, similar to global government policies. Even during the Mao era, people observed and discussed mysterious objects. Later, during the Cultural Revolution, articles began to appear, and the Chinese Army expressed concern about advanced aircraft. The article references Paul Dong's book, "Four Great Mysteries of Mainland China," and mentions that Dong has been a valuable asset to Chinese UFO groups. Norman's visit was initiated through a contact who had been subscribing to the "Australian U.F.O. Bulletin."

"Pilot Twice Encounters Ringed UFO" by Tom Page

This report details two sightings by a pilot named John Taylor in California in November 1980 and August 1981. The first sighting involved a ringed, tear-drop shaped orange glowing object with a spinning ring of red, blue, and white light. The object exhibited rapid acceleration and vertical maneuvers. The second sighting, near San Luis reservoir, involved a similar "ringed" UFO and caused electromagnetic effects on the pilot's aircraft, disabling his radios and navigation equipment while the engine continued to function.

"U.F.O. - African Encounter" by Cynthia Hind

This section announces an upcoming lecture by Cynthia Hind on "UFO - African Encounter" on July 20, 1987, at the Royal Society of Victoria in Melbourne. It provides a biography of Mrs. Hind, detailing her education in South Africa, her service in the WAAF during World War II, her writing career, and her involvement with MUFON as a Field Investigator and Continental Coordinator for Africa. Her book, "UFOs - African Encounters," was published in 1982. The section also lists upcoming society meetings.

Australian Press Reports

Two newspaper articles are featured:

• "Bright object 'buzzed me' where boys disappeared" from the Sunday Territorian (Darwin, March 29, 1987): This article reports on Damien Monck's two encounters with unidentified flying objects in the Northern Territory. The first involved a strange light following his car near Kununnurra, and the second occurred during a duck shooting trip where mysterious lights hovered over the area.
• "'Weird lights' where boys lost" from Sunday Mail (Adelaide, March 29, 1987): This article discusses "weird lights" and strange phenomena reported in the area where two teenagers, Simon Amos and James Annetts, went missing near the Gibson Desert. It mentions sightings by Monty Bart and Wayne Trembath, including photographs of a saucer-shaped object.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistent similarities between historical and contemporary UFO reports, the detailed investigation of specific sightings (particularly the "ringed" UFO), and the ongoing efforts of UFO research organizations like the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society. The editorial stance emphasizes a scientific and investigative approach, acknowledging the need for closer attention to the UFO phenomenon and highlighting the importance of documented evidence and witness credibility. The society's commitment to maintaining a comprehensive library and disseminating information to the public is also a key aspect.

This issue of the magazine, identified by issue number 9 and volume 10, features a "BOOK REVIEW" section and several articles related to UFO phenomena. The cover date is April 17, 1987, and it appears to be published by TIMES, CANBERRA, Australia.

Book Review: Extra-Terrestrials Among Us The primary focus of the issue is a review of the book "Extra-Terrestrials Among Us" by George C. Andrews, published by Llewellyn Publications. The reviewer, John F. Schuessler, notes that the book covers UFOs, extraterrestrials, and related mysteries. It begins positively by discussing a "cover-up story" and France's official UFO investigative agency, GEPAN, and presents substantial UFO cases. The reviewer finds the treatment of US "E.T. Law" to be good. However, the reviewer feels the book weakens its case when it shifts to the historical section "From Deep Antiquity to Modern Times," comparing it to Erich Von Daniken's work. The extraterrestrial premise is further challenged by a detailed look at pyramid construction, suggesting that ancient builders, not extraterrestrials, were responsible. The section on "suicides" is noted as mimicking the feelings of many ufologists, and the reviewer suggests it could have been stronger with more detail on fewer cases and by omitting non-UFO material like the Karen Silkwood case. The chapter on "Mysterious Mutilations" is deemed worthy of a full book due to its complexity. The review also touches upon a chapter in "Space Tribes Signal" that "leaves a lot to be desired," with a glimpse of Leonard Stringfield's work that is "too shallow."

"Extra-Terrestrials Among Us" is described as a "potpourri of information" with some strong points, but diluted by spurious information on fish falls and spontaneous combustion, making it difficult for the publisher to target a specific market. The novice might find it inspiring, while critics might call for censorship. Seasoned ufologists may find little new material and tend to ignore it. The book is credited with keeping the UFO mystery alive and open for scrutiny, having "drawn a new battle line."

Editorial: UFOs in the 1950s and Beyond The editorial discusses early UFOLOGY in the 1950s, mentioning abduction stories from South America and "lost time" reports. It highlights cases like the disappearance of the Avengers in the Bermuda Triangle and the experience of Larry Coyne and his helicopter crew. It contrasts these with the well-documented disappearance of Fredrick Valentich. The editorial traces a progression from elusive lights to objects with shape, ground marks, animal reactions, entities, abductions, and the use of hypnosis. The author believes that UFO "friends" are gradually revealing themselves, suggesting it is a planned event not initiated by humans.

UFO's in Gippsland...Believe It Or Not! This article by John Wells highlights numerous UFO sightings in the Gippsland region of Australia. It lists several documented reports, including: * Bairnsdale, April 13, 1964: A vivid blue flash and a blue and orange light spiraling down and up, leaving vapor trails. * Dalyston, November 8, 1968: An orange glow that moved and was chased by witnesses. * Drouin South, September 1968: A strange object surrounded by blue and yellow vapor. * Ferntree Gully, January 1968: A dome-shaped object with red lights, after which the grass in the area was found to be dying. * Leongatha, November 1968: Three or four stationary lights seen below the moon. * Hallam, June 12, 1964: A large red light that accelerated eastward, described as 'con' shaped. * Hallam, March 5, 1967: A silver disk photographed circling. * Heyfield, May 2, 1968: A string of red lights that stopped, revealing an object with a dome. * Korumburra, November 1968: A flashing light that divided into three. * Wonthaggi, August 27, 1954: A strange object that changed color frequently. * Wonthaggi, September 9, 1954: A similar object sighted and followed. * Wonthaggi, September 21, 1963: A huge spherical object observed by 60 people, causing television reception to fail. * Wonthaggi, September 23, 1963: Five people saw the mysterious sphere again. * Narre Warren: A pale orange craft with fins appeared and traveled west. * Sale: A shiny object was reported darting about.

The article notes that while many sightings have occurred, people are often reluctant to report them for fear of ridicule. It also mentions the Fredrick Valentich mystery and other reports from people who wished to remain anonymous.

UFO Hotline Flooded This brief report from WEST AUSTRALIAN (April 21, 1987) states that Britain's first UFO hotline has been inundated with calls. Organizer Richard Lawrence reported that most callers were serious people, some of whom had never told their spouses about their experiences. The most frequently reported UFOs were large and cigar-shaped or round, silver and metallic with port-holes.

Puzzle of Buried UFO This report from WEST AUSTRALIAN (March 3, 1987) details two men in Mt Magnet who buried an unidentified object they found near Leonora, fearing radiation poisoning. The object was light, spongy, soccer-ball-shaped, and encrusted with minerals. Experts found it too light to be a meteorite and suggested it might be a tank from a satellite. The men planned to take it to Mt Magnet for investigation.

What Can One Believe of What the Skeptics Say? This article by Lan Warden discusses the Australian Skeptics and their upcoming conference. Warden introduces the term "credulists" to describe those who believe in astrology, prophecy, UFOs, and the occult. He notes that a speaker, Mr. Andrew Cole, has an open mind on UFOs and believes skeptics can help explain away explicable sightings. Warden recounts an example where darting lights were identified as reflections on power lines. He expresses skepticism about the circumspect behavior of alleged extraterrestrial beings and questions why they don't make unambiguous contact. He suggests that if such beings exist, they would not be so elusive.

US 'Examined Bodies of UFO Crew in 1947' This article, referencing a report in a British newspaper, claims that the bodies of four aliens from a UFO crash in the US in 1947 were recovered and examined by a special government team involved in "Operation Majestic 12" (MJ-12). The report, purportedly a briefing for President Eisenhower, states the creatures were human-like but biologically different. While the authenticity of the documents is questioned, evidence supporting the existence of MJ-12 has been found. The article details the discovery of disc-shaped aircraft and the ejection of four human-like beings before a crash in New Mexico.

IN BRIEF: Nasa balloon crashes A brief report notes that a Nasa research balloon launched from Australia crashed in Paraguay.

My Proposal for a UFO Museum! This article by George D. Fawcett outlines a proposal for a UFO Museum. He argues it would preserve UFO history, capitalize on public interest, serve as a collection center, educate the public, act as a reporting center, and cooperate with other UFO organizations. He suggests potential locations and details the facilities needed, including classrooms, a library, lecture room, exhibit room, research room, and more. The article also discusses how the museum could function, including educational programs, exhibits, and retail sales. Financing and promotion strategies are also detailed, including seeking donations, grants, and utilizing various media and community outreach. Fawcett mentions discussions with investors and expresses conviction that the time is right for such a venture.

Melbourne Episode Case Study of a Missing Pilot This section introduces a book by Richard F. Haines, a NASA research scientist, detailing the case of pilot Frederick Valentich, who disappeared over the Bass Strait on October 21, 1978, after reporting unidentified lights. The book combines factual documentary with fictional narrative, exploring hypotheses such as pilot disorientation, a deliberate hoax, abduction by a UFO, or involvement in an advanced weapons test.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, investigations, and the broader implications of potential extraterrestrial contact. There's a strong emphasis on documenting specific cases, from historical reports in Gippsland to the more recent and enigmatic case of Frederick Valentich. The issue also delves into the skepticism surrounding UFO phenomena, contrasting it with the beliefs of "credulists" and ufologists. The concept of a UFO cover-up is explored, particularly in relation to the alleged "Majestic 12" committee. The proposal for a UFO museum highlights a desire to legitimize and preserve the study of UFOs. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, acknowledging the existence of unexplained phenomena while also critically examining evidence and theories. The magazine seems to cater to an audience interested in UFOs, unexplained mysteries, and the ongoing debate between believers and skeptics.