Australian UFO Bulletin - 1989 09 - September

Magazine Overview

Title: The Australian U.F.O. Bulletin
Issue: 1
Volume: VBH122
Date: September 1989
Publisher: Victorian U.F.O. Research Society
Country: Australia
Language: English

This issue of The Australian U.F.O. Bulletin, published by the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society (V.U.F.O.R.S.), delves into various unexplained phenomena, with a focus on UFO sightings, crop circles, and potential government cover-ups. The cover features a striking image of an alien head with the headline 'Unexplained Visitors from Where?', setting the tone for the content within.

Office Bearers and Welcome

The bulletin begins by listing the office bearers of the V.U.F.O.R.S., including President Judith M. Magee, Vice-President Paul Norman, and Secretary Mark Sawyers. A 'Welcome' section introduces the society, emphasizing its commitment to evaluating unusual phenomena and maintaining confidentiality. It highlights the society's quarterly publication, the 'Australian U.F.O. Bulletin', which is distributed to all members.

Contents

The table of contents outlines a diverse range of articles:

• Editorial: Discusses religious obsession and skepticism regarding UFOs.
• On the UFO Trail: By Paul Norman, detailing UFO sightings in the Geelong area.
• Going Round In Circles: By Ralph Noyes, exploring the phenomenon of crop circles.
• Spacecraft "Discovery" & UFO Contact Update: By William L. Moore, reporting on a potential UFO encounter during the Discovery mission.
• Whistleblower Bucks Pentagon: A report on Larry Bryant's efforts to expose government information on UFOs.
• Lake Eyre Photo UFO Marks: An examination of a photograph showing mysterious markings on Lake Eyre.
• Mum Tells Of Saucer Terror.
• Britain's Circles of Mystery.
• Seen A UFO? Prove It, Says Skeptic.
• Guatemalans Are Experiencing Encounters Of Unexplained Kind.
• Riddle Of The Corn Rings Unravelled By The Wind.
• Tunnel Vision / Drilled Caves.
• Eye For Gravity Waves.
• UFOs And The Digital Computer P2

Editorials

Two editorials are presented. The first, titled "OUR RELIGIOUS OBSESSION.", by John W. Auchettl, reflects on how belief in UFOs can be perceived as a religion by skeptics. It argues that faith and open-mindedness are crucial for progress, drawing parallels to how fundamental religious beliefs have driven scientific and technological advancements. The author asserts that proving the existence of UFOs to skeptics is unnecessary, as history shows that those who stifle inquiry often do so out of arrogance.

The second editorial, also titled "EDITORIAL", reiterates the theme of faith and open-mindedness in the face of skepticism. It emphasizes that the universe is vast and humanity is not the center of it. The author expresses a belief in the existence of more to the world than meets the eye and acknowledges that our knowledge is limited. The editorial concludes by stating that the purpose is not to convert but to encourage open-mindedness and to keep cases open until fully resolved.

On the UFO Trail

This article by Paul Norman details a series of UFO sightings and unusual events in the Geelong, Victoria, Australia area during February 1988. It begins with a report from a woman in St Kilda who observed six multi-coloured lights that merged into three white lights. Later, residents near Buckley Falls reported unusual sounds, described as geese flapping wings, and saw three white lights hovering. The article highlights a two-week period of intense activity, including loud noises and strange lights. A significant event occurred on February 23rd when a woman witnessed a large, round, glowing object hovering over a shopping centre, accompanied by electrical disturbances like a haywire clock/radio and a palpable energy surge. The investigation involved the VUFORS Geelong representative, Keith Thomas, who collected reports and even recorded sounds. Police confirmed minimal helicopter activity in the area, ruling out conventional explanations. The State Electricity Commission investigated a blackout that coincided with the sighting, finding a flashover that damaged insulators. The article suggests a connection between the UFO activity and the power outage.

The World Going Round In Circles

Written by Ralph Noyes, this article examines the phenomenon of crop circles, which began appearing in southern England in 1980. It describes the evolution of these formations from simple circles to more complex patterns, including rings, swirls, triplets, quadruplets, and quintuplets. The year 1988 is noted as particularly remarkable for the number and complexity of circles reported, especially near Avebury and Yatesbury in Wiltshire. The article mentions Dr. G. T. Meaden of Bradford-on-Avon, who has extensively studied these formations and initially suggested summer whirlwinds as a possible cause, though this is debated. Other hypotheses include military experiments and natural phenomena. The article notes that while some circles are attributed to hoaxes, the majority remain unexplained, and scientists are still baffled.

Briefly: Spacecraft "Discovery" and A UFO Contact Update

This section, attributed to William L. Moore and referencing VUFORS member George Simpson, reports on a purported UFO-related transmission from the NASA Discovery mission in March 1989. It describes how the Amateur Radio Club at NASA's Goddard Space Centre rebroadcast transmissions from the satellite. Listeners allegedly heard an astronaut say, "Houston, we have a problem ... we have a fire," followed seven minutes later by, "Houston, this is Discovery, we, ahh.... still have the alien spacecraft, ahh.... under observance." NASA, after initial stonewalling, released a statement suggesting the event was a fictitious hoax perpetrated by a rogue radio operator. Dr. Bruce Maccabee, an optical physicist, arranged for a voice-print analysis of the transmission. The analysis of the 13-word transmission was tentative, but it showed a strong similarity to the voice of Dr. Bagian, the mission medical specialist, who was less familiar with communication procedures and thus more likely to make a mistake on an open channel.

Whistleblower Bucks Pentagon

This news report from The Washington Times, by John Purnell, details the case of Larry Bryant, a civilian writer and editor for the U.S. Army. Bryant believes UFOs are real and claims the military suppresses information about them. His attorney, James Heller, states that Bryant's crusade has become an embarrassment to the government. Bryant had received unsatisfactory job performance ratings in 1984 and 1985, but Col. Douglas I. Rogers, his former boss, stated that Bryant's outside duties were within his rights. A 1987 court ruling allowed Bryant to place advertisements in military base newspapers seeking whistleblowers with knowledge of government UFO information. The article implies that Bryant's actions have created a chilling effect on his career.

Lake Eyre Spaceship: Lake Photo UFO Marks

This article re-examines a dramatic photograph taken on January 2, 1979, by pilot Lewis Brice during a sightseeing flight over Lake Eyre, South Australia. The slide, released 10 years later by passenger Jeff Findley, shows clockface-like markings with a central point on the lake bed, approximately 30m in diameter, with indentations in water about 30cm deep. Brice described it as "some phenomenon which has never been explained," suggesting "terrific pressure of something taking off." He noted that on a later flight, he could not find the markings again. The photograph was sent to conservationist and Lake Eyre expert Mr. Warren Bonython, who suggested the white patches might be consistent with salt crystallization. However, the origin of the markings remains unexplained.

Other Mentions

The issue also includes brief mentions of other UFO-related topics, such as encounters in Guatemala, the riddle of corn rings, tunnel vision, gravity waves, and UFOs and digital computers. A withdrawal notice for Russell Briers, a former sub-editor, is also included.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistent mystery of UFO phenomena, the challenges of investigating unexplained events, and the tension between open inquiry and potential government secrecy or skepticism. The editorials strongly advocate for open-mindedness, faith in the unknown, and the importance of continuing investigations without prejudice. The publication appears to support the belief in UFOs as a genuine phenomenon worthy of serious study, while acknowledging the role of skepticism and the need for evidence. The society itself is presented as a dedicated organization for collecting and disseminating information on these topics.

This issue of The Australian UFO Bulletin, dated July 16, 1989, features a cover story detailing a mother's terrifying encounter with a UFO in South Australia, alongside reports on crop circles in England and a skeptical perspective on UFO claims.

Mum Tells of Saucer Terror

The lead article recounts the experience of Mrs. Beverley Schumann, who, along with her two children, Jodie and Jamie, encountered a bright yellow UFO near Hawker, South Australia. The incident occurred 18 days after mystery markings were sighted near Lake Eyre. While driving to Hawker, the UFO appeared as a 'very bright yellow light' that seemed to be 'coming down.' Mrs. Schumann's car engine stopped, and she and her children fled the vehicle in terror. Mrs. Anita Lindblom, who was driving on the same road, picked them up and corroborated their story, stating the light was bigger and brighter than the moon and that the children were 'screaming and clawing' at her car door. Mrs. Lindblom also saw the light.

Riddle of the Corn Rings Unravelled by the Wind

This section, by Peter Hopper, discusses the phenomenon of crop circles in Southern England, where over 400 have been reported in the last nine years. While some believe they are caused by UFOs, experts like Dr. Terence Meaden of the Tornado and Storm Research Organisation propose a natural explanation: vortices of air. Meaden suggests that these vortices are formed in the air in a special and unusual way, and that the phenomenon is more frequent in hilly regions where wind flow is collected. He estimates that at least 500 such circles occur annually in Britain. The article notes that the circles are often symmetrical and can be up to 20 meters across, with no footprints or other disturbances nearby, ruling out simple hoaxes. Meaden is appealing for information from farmers, particularly those with light aircraft, to monitor crops during vulnerable periods like July and August for cereals and May for oilseed rape.

Seen a UFO? Prove it, says Sceptic

This article by Mark Brolly features Robert Sheaffer, a software developer and director of the Bay Area Skeptics. Sheaffer visited Melbourne to debunk UFO myths, emphasizing that the burden of proof lies with those making extraordinary claims, not with skeptics. He demonstrated how easily UFO sightings can be faked and how common objects can be mistaken for UFOs. Sheaffer, author of 'The UFO Verdict,' believes that some UFO cults develop a religious character and that people may turn to UFO beliefs as an escape from responsibility or to fill a void left by lost faith, seeking intelligent beings to solve problems.

Guatemalans are Experiencing Encounters of Unexplained Kind

Written by Vicki Barker, this piece reports on mysterious lights appearing nightly over El Progreso, Guatemala, drawing thousands of sightseers. Eyewitness accounts describe pulsing white lights that emit powerful beams and move silently. The phenomenon has become a national preoccupation, with newspapers featuring headlines and pictures related to UFO sightings. Some locals believe the lights are omens or related to natural calamities, while others suggest they might be commercial airliners. The article also mentions the historical context of unexplained phenomena in Guatemala, including lights appearing before the 1976 earthquake. Three observation posts have been set up, and the police and air force are investigating. Officially, the US has no position, and the American community in Guatemala remains largely unconvinced, with some making light of the sightings.

Tunnel Vision

This short report by Dr. Jan Pajak, a New Zealand scientist, suggests that UFOs may have drilled tubular caves found near Nelson, New Zealand. He believes these caves could help him build a magnetically propelled spacecraft called a 'magnocraft,' similar to those used by other civilizations. Arthur Freeman of the Nelson Speleogical Group stated that the tubular caves, known as the Tomo Thyme Caves, were formed by water pressure, not by UFOs.

'Eye' for Gravity Waves

By Amanda Place, this article discusses the race for Australian scientists to build a powerful telescope to measure mysterious gravity waves. If funded, the telescope, costing $31 million over five years, would be built north of Perth and would be a joint project of the Australian National University and the University of Western Australia. Gravity waves, caused by star explosions, are described as elusive phenomena holding secrets to the universe's creation. Professor John Sandeman explained how dense binary pulsars, formed after supernova explosions, collide to create black holes, sending out gravity waves that can stretch the Earth. The research could provide ultimate proof of Einstein's theory of general relativity and offer a new window into the universe's expansion.

UFOs and the Digital Computer

This section, from 'ORBIS Publication The Unexplained 1984,' critically examines claims made by Genesis III regarding the authenticity of Billy Meier's UFO photographs. It discusses the use of 'z-scale contouring' and 'edge identification' tests by Jim Dilettoso, who is accused of manipulating images and color contouring to suggest authenticity. The article highlights inconsistencies in shadows and focus, suggesting that the UFO images may have been superimposed onto landscape photos. It also questions Meier's testimony, particularly his ability to take precisely centered photos despite a claimed camera malfunction and a missing arm. The section concludes that the evidence is unconvincing and bears hallmarks of hoaxes, possibly stemming from a desire for attention or a subjective experience misinterpreted.

Society History

This section provides a brief history of the Victorian UFO Research Society. It traces its origins back to the early 1950s with groups like the 'Australian Flying Saucer Bureau' and the 'Australian Flying Saucer Research Society.' The 'Victorian Branch' was formed in 1957, eventually becoming the 'Victorian UFO Research Society.' The society has published papers, including the 'Australian Flying Saucer Review,' and sponsored a radio program. It maintains a dispassionate attitude, viewing UFOs as a scientific problem, and holds the largest UFO library in the Southern Hemisphere.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include eyewitness accounts of UFO sightings, the scientific investigation of phenomena like crop circles, and the role of skepticism in evaluating such claims. The magazine presents a range of perspectives, from those who have had direct experiences to scientists and skeptics who seek rational explanations. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting diverse viewpoints and historical context within the field of UFO research, while also acknowledging the need for critical analysis and evidence-based conclusions.