Australian UFO Bulletin - 1993 09 - September

Magazine Overview

This issue of The Australian U.F.O. Bulletin, dated September 1993, is published by the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society (VUFORS). The cover features a dramatic illustration of UFOs in space, including a space shuttle and two disc-shaped craft.

Editorial

The editorial discusses the upcoming television documentary on the Frederick Valentich case, produced by 'Unsolved Mysteries'. VUFORS assisted in the reenactment of the flight and disappearance, which occurred on October 21, 1978. The editorial expresses hope that the series will encourage more people to take the UFO subject seriously, helping to overcome skepticism and solve 'The Riddle of the Skies'. A brief mention is also made of the 'End UFO Secrecy' Demonstration in Washington D.C. on July 5, 1993, which was reportedly a disappointment due to low attendance, with Philip Klass noted as being present.

On The UFO Trail

Paul Norman recounts his overseas trip in April 1993, beginning with his attendance at a UFO Seminar in Rachel, Nevada, near Area 51, where he met John Lear and Robert Lazar. He also gave an update on the Valentich and Knowles Family cases to MUFON LA in Burbank, California. Norman expresses dissatisfaction with the 'Fire in the Sky' movie's departure from the truth of the Travis Walton case, noting that many researchers felt disgusted by the commercialization of serious cases. He also visited Farmington, New Mexico, to investigate rumors surrounding Dulce. Norman's travels also included a visit to Key West, Florida, where he received confirmation of a UFO encounter involving two MIG jets from Cuba, one of which disintegrated. He attended the MUFON UFO Symposium in Richmond, Virginia, and announced the forthcoming 'Unsolved Mysteries' program.

Norman also details his experience at a CEIV-Investigator/Therapist Workshop in Concord, California, where the Maureen Puddy case was discussed. He clarifies that the incident was not an abduction and criticizes Jenny Randles for misrepresenting statements related to the case.

CSETI Vectors in Spacecraft in Mexico

Joe Burkes, MD, reports on CSETI's (The Center for the Study of Extraterrestrial Intelligence) efforts to conduct 'real time' research on flying saucers. CSETI aims to 'vector in' extraterrestrial spacecraft through human-initiated contacts, termed 'Close Encounters of the Fifth Kind' (CE-5). Burkes participated in a CE-5 contact attempt in Mexico near the volcano Popocatepetl, where glowing amber globe-like objects were observed. During the observation, a triangular craft with white lights and a red beacon appeared, signaling back to CSETI's lights. The craft, estimated to be 300 feet across, was accompanied by a smaller craft. Attempts to photograph the event were thwarted as cameras malfunctioned.

Stranger Than Fact

Paul Garson, Director of Research for MUFON-LA, uses the anecdote 'people never look up' to introduce the topic of UFO research. He discusses how the media's portrayal of UFOs, particularly the 'Fire in the Sky' film, has been influenced by commercial interests rather than factual reporting. Garson criticizes the film for deviating from the actual events of the Travis Walton case, particularly the description of the aliens. He then introduces his 'Top Ten Choices' for UFO research resources, including the UFO Newsclipping Service and The UFO Audio-Video Clearing House.

Flying Saucers vs. Flying Tamales

Paul Garson continues his discussion on UFO research, using the 'flying tamale' description from Costa Rica as an example of how UFO events are reported. He emphasizes the importance of reliable research tools and lists recommended reading materials. He also touches upon the phenomenon of mass hysteria and how it can influence perceptions of events, drawing a parallel to a false serial killer scare in Calais, France.

Some Recent UFO Sightings in Poland

Bronislaw Rzepecki, Co-ordinator of the Kraków (Cracow) UFO Research Group, details several UFO sightings in Poland. On November 5, 1990, multiple witnesses reported seeing groups of red shining balls with pulsating flames and tails, traveling rapidly. On January 18, 1991, sightings included a 'ball with a tie' that landed in a village, leaving a burnt trace-mark, and a bright reddish-yellow object moving at tremendous speed. Another report describes a cigar-shaped object emitting light vapor. The article notes that a detailed list of 44 UFO episodes in Poland between March 1989 and April 1991 is also available.

Final Report by Bronislaw Rzepecki

This section details a sighting on July 23, 1990, in Rybnik, Poland, where a witness observed a beam of powerful white light and a small red light moving beneath it. The witness shone a torch towards the beam, which then lit up the highway. The white beam extinguished, and the red light moved towards the witness. A ladder was seen on the side of the red light, with a being on it. The witness described the UFO as cigar-shaped or elliptical, and experienced leg pain afterward.

UFO-Norway News

This section provides an overview of Norwegian UFO cases. Observations in 1992 include a shining object seen in Guddal, Southern Norway, and multiple 'stars' observed in Alvdal, Southern Norway. In Trondheim, a red-yellow light with a 'core' was reported. Sightings over Southeastern Norway near Arendal are also mentioned. A close encounter near Hamar involved two women observing a triangular object with two humanoids at close range. Other reports include phenomena with powerful blinks in Veggli, and a large round sphere with white light seen in Strømmen.

Alien Hunt Moves to Australia

Australia is set to play a role in the search for extraterrestrial life, with NASA targeting about 1000 stars for study using a mobile spectrum analyzer. A team will be based at the Parkes radio telescope in NSW for a five-month period. Dr. Kelvin Wellington is the Australian co-ordinator for this SETI project.

Press Cuttings Of Interest

National Labs, UNM Search for Taos Hum

Scientists from Sandia National Laboratories and the University of New Mexico have set up monitoring equipment to pinpoint the source of the 'Taos Hum', a low, pulsating vibration reported by residents. Electrical engineer Harold Poteet believes it is an acoustical signal. The task force was formed at the request of Representatives Bill Richardson and Steve Schiff. Catanya Saltzman describes suffering from maladies attributed to the hum, including headaches and sleeplessness. She believes the Department of Defense is responsible for generating the sound.

UFOs Reported In Siberia

According to Tass news agency, a spate of UFO sightings has been reported in the Chelyabinsk province of Siberia. Witnesses have sighted revolving aluminium-silver hue 'flying saucers' appearing at dawn and during the night, often coming from the Ziuraratkul lake area. Fyodor Stepanovich Nesterov has seen the objects multiple times, noting illuminated windows and navigational lights. Police were called to investigate reports of 'wood goblins' churning water, which was spinning endlessly. Biologists suggested an invisible force was affecting the water, and local ufologists attributed the phenomenon to UFOs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, research efforts, and the challenges of distinguishing fact from fiction, particularly in media portrayals. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation, encouraging the serious study of UFO phenomena while acknowledging the role of skepticism and the need for accurate reporting. The publication aims to provide information on global UFO activity and research initiatives.

This issue of the Australian UFO Bulletin, dated November 1993, features a significant historical account of ufology in Yugoslavia and extensive lists of UFO sighting reports from Australia. The publication is from The Victorian U.F.O. Research Society.

Historical Background of Ufology in Yugoslavia by Milos Krmelj

The article by Milos Krmelj traces the development of ufology in Yugoslavia, beginning with the first press coverage of UFOs in 1954, spurred by articles from Donald E. Keyhoe's book 'Flying Saucers From Outer Space'. This period coincided with a wave of UFO sightings over Europe, though Yugoslavian reports were primarily of airborne objects without close encounters, likely due to media blockades that polarized reporting into sensationalism or dismissal as delusions.

Krmelj notes the existence of eyewitness letters from 1954 that were not published, which could hold valuable information on early close encounters. A formal debating group of Slovene intellectuals showed interest in UFO events, and their letters might still be discoverable.

Following 1954, there was a quiet period for ufological events in Yugoslavia, with only occasional reports and the annual publication of information on the US military's Project Blue Book. A significant shift occurred in the mid-sixties, with the weekly 'TT' publishing extracts from John Fuller's 'Incident at Exeter' in 1966, followed by 'Tovaris' publishing articles on ufology, covering viewpoints from George Adamski to US military aviation. Other Slovene and Yugoslavian papers also published minor articles.

In 1967, the first ufological organization in Yugoslavia, the Yugoslav branch of the English organization 'Contact UK' (known as 'Sky Scouts'), was founded in Slovenia. This organization was formally registered and served as a debating club, though it did not conduct investigations or publish research. It operated until 1970.

The year 1969, marked by the moon landing, saw a brief artificial prolongation of the debating club's existence. The year 1971 brought a very intensive wave of UFO sightings, including radar-screen observations and numerous flights across Yugoslavia, with sightings occurring almost daily from late September to December.

After the dissolution of 'Sky Scouts', some members, including Krmelj, continued their interest. As students, they conceived the idea of forming a more serious ufological association that could publish its own material. In March 1972, the UFO (NLP) association ZVEZA SOLT was formally founded, receiving status within the SOLT (Students Organisation of Popular Technics). The association began publishing 'UFO INFORMATOR' in April 1972, initially in cyclostyle form.

By 1975, the association had gathered nearly 100 UFO sighting cases and was the only active organization of its kind in Yugoslavia, occasionally appearing in Serbo-Croatian papers. Another wave of UFO sightings occurred in late 1975, similar to 1971, involving radar-screen observations and close encounters.

In 1976, the publication was renamed 'Odiseja' (Odyssey) and expanded its scope to other unusual phenomena. In 1977, it was first printed in Serbo-Croatian and became bi-monthly, but high costs forced a return to cyclostyle copies. In 1978, it was edited in Slovene again.

1976 and 1977 saw many UFO sightings in Slovenia, some of unusual nature, including close encounters of the second and third kind. After 1978, sightings declined, reaching a minimum in 1986 and 1987. A significant wave occurred in the summer of 1988, extending from one Slovene region to the vicinity of Ljubljana.

Krmelj notes that the 1988 wave had not been fully treated, and information from southern republics of Yugoslavia was scarce due to weak relationships. He concludes that the main UFO sighting waves in Yugoslavia occurred in 1954, 1967, 1971, 1975, 1979 (?), and 1988, with mini-waves in 1973, 1976, and 1977.

The Debunkers

Krmelj points out the lack of genuine interest in ufology from mainstream scientists in Slovenia and Yugoslavia, whose positions are typically negative, following the ideas of Donald H. Menzel and Philip Klass. Dr. Fran Dominko, a Slovenian astronomer, was a major opponent but later changed his viewpoint. Dr. Tatomir Andzelic, a Serbian astronomer, is described as a Yugoslav copy of Menzel or Klass, claiming only drunkards and perverts see UFOs.

Colonel Stevan Kords is mentioned as an author who from 1971 to 1975 tried to persuade readers that UFOs were automatic gliding balloons sent by NATO for spy missions. Krmelj questions this explanation, noting the existence of CNES balloons and the advent of satellites.

The Literature

The primary ufological publication in Yugoslavia was 'BILTEN', issued by Krmelj's association four times a year in Xerox copies in Slovene and Serbo-Croatian. Books mentioned include Jovan Knezvic's 'NLP Sabluda Ili Stvarnost?' (1976), J. Allen Hynek's 'The Hynek UFO Report' (Slovene translation, 1980), Nigel Blundell's 'The World's Greatest UFO Mysteries' (1987), and Krmelj's own book 'Neznani Leteci Predmeti' (UFOs, in Slovene).

Other publications include the monthly magazines 'TAJNE' (Secrets) and 'ARKO', which cover ufology and other para-scientific phenomena. Krmelj also mentions other associations, including one in Belgrade that follows the George Adamski model, and others focused on maritime archaeology and para-scientific phenomena, or functioning as debating clubs.

Krmelj concludes that mass media in Yugoslavia is generally favorable to ufology, with radio stations in Slovenia being more receptive than TV, though other republics have had more TV transmissions.

Out of the Stone Age

Krmelj states that in the sense of ufology, Yugoslavia is still in the 'Stone Age' but efforts are being made to advance.

Australian Sighting Reports

This section provides detailed tables of UFO sightings from Victoria and New South Wales, Australia.

Victorian Sighting Reports

Table 1 lists sightings from June 28 to July 27, detailing date/time, location (e.g., Ferntree Gully, Northcote, Lilydale, Carlton, East Brunswick, Thornbury, North Balwyn, Canterbury, Box Hill, Camberwell, Hawthorn, Fairfield, Clifton Hill, Kew, East Kew, East Hawthorn), and descriptions of the objects observed. These include lights of various colors and formations, some with unusual movements, speeds, and behaviors. Animal reactions (dogs barking) were noted in one instance.

New South Wales Sighting Reports

Table 1 lists sightings from March 28 to May 29, detailing date/time, location (e.g., North Rocks, Sydney City, Burwood, Prestons, Stanwell Park, North Sydney, Crows Nest, Mt. Ousley Expressway, Belmont, Emu Plains, Campbelltown, Dural NW Syd., Gosford N.Syd., Liverpool, Emu Plains, Chatswood, Belmont, West Ryde, Yagoona, Meadowbank, Toongabbie, Baulkam Hills, Northmead, Eden, Newcastle, Narooma), and descriptions. These reports include objects described as white objects like sails, bright grey/white lights in formation, bright orange steady lights, round objects with multicolour lights, lights doing aerobatics, orange lights, enormous metallic objects, yellow/orange lights splitting into three, and aqua blue discs. Some reports mention high speeds, unusual maneuvers, and possible pranks or conventional explanations.

Society News

V.U.F.O.R.S. (Victorian UFO Research Society)

This section includes a notice for the Annual General Meeting of the V.U.F.O.R.S. to be held on December 6th, with details on committee nominations. It also lists the current committee members.

Can Anybody Assist? UFO Material

A request is made for originals or photostats of specific articles from various publications, including Australasian Post, Cleo, National Review, Southern Cross, TRIAD, and Omega, with dates ranging from 1965 to 1982.

Society History

This section provides a history of the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society, tracing its origins back to the 'Australian Flying Saucer Bureau' in the early 1950s, founded by Edgar Jarrold and Andrew Tomas. It details the evolution through various names and leadership changes, including the 'Australian Flying Saucer Research Society' and the 'Australian U.F.O. Investigation Centre'. The 'Victorian Flying Saucer Research Society' was formed in 1957 and later became the 'Victorian U.F.O. Research Society'. The society has published papers, including the 'Australian Flying Saucer Review' and the 'Australian U.F.O. Bulletin', and sponsored a radio program. The current executive, led by Mrs. Judith Magee, has maintained a dispassionate attitude, viewing UFOs as a scientific problem. The society boasts the largest U.F.O. library in the Southern Hemisphere, though it has discontinued book services to members due to postage costs. Membership is open to all interested individuals.

Discussion Night

Details are provided for upcoming discussion nights hosted by the International Committee for U.F.O. Research in Melbourne, with dates in March, June, September, and December 1993. Information on membership and subscription rates for V.U.F.O.R.S. is also included.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the historical development of ufology in a specific region (Yugoslavia), the cataloging of UFO sightings with detailed observations, and the organizational aspects of UFO research societies. The editorial stance, particularly from the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society, appears to be one of serious, scientific inquiry into the UFO phenomenon, aiming to gather and disseminate information while maintaining a dispassionate attitude. The inclusion of debunkers' viewpoints suggests an effort to present a balanced perspective, acknowledging skeptical arguments within the broader context of UFO research.