Australian UFO Bulletin - 1994 12 - December

Magazine Overview

Title: THE AUSTRALIAN U.F.O. BULLETIN
Issue Date: December 1994
Publisher: V.U.F.O.R.S. (Victorian UFO Research Society)
Country of Publication: Australia

This issue of The Australian UFO Bulletin delves into various aspects of UFOlogy, from scientific endeavors like SETI to historical case analyses and contemporary sightings. It highlights the work of the Victorian UFO Research Society (VUFORS) and its commitment to investigating unusual phenomena.

Editorial

The editorial reflects on the increasing number of people experiencing strange and traumatic events, suggesting that while some may dismiss these as dreams, the impact on their lives is profound. It advocates for an open-minded approach, noting that past ridicule of 'contactees' has given way to more assistance and counseling for those experiencing UFO trauma, with VUFORS playing a role in this support.

Project Phoenix to Look for Life in Space from Australia

This article details Australia's involvement in Project Phoenix, a SETI initiative. From January 16, 1995, the CSIRO Parkes Radio-telescope will scan nearby Sun-like stars for signs of intelligent extraterrestrial life. The project utilizes advanced signal processing equipment from the SETI Institute and will involve local scientists. The search is funded by private means, having been saved from cancellation by Congressional cutbacks. The implications of finding extraterrestrial life, or the continued search, are presented as profound.

On The UFO Trail

This section, by Paul Norman, discusses the 1994 MUFON Symposium, where a confrontation occurred between skeptic Philip Klass and Robert Dean, a retired intelligence analyst. Dean presented details of a 1961 incident where UFO activity nearly led to hostilities between NATO and Warsaw Pact nations, prompting the establishment of the 'Hot Line'. The article also touches upon a VUFORS meeting to review recent UFO activity concerning NATO forces.

The 1961 Incident

Robert Dean recounts the events of February 2, 1961, when unidentified objects flying over Central Europe caused a high alert status for both NATO and Soviet forces, nearly leading to war. The incident was classified as Top Secret and led to a comprehensive study at SHAPE Headquarters titled 'THE ASSESSMENT'. The study, published in 1964, was conducted due to a lack of information from Washington and London, which was suspected of being compromised by a Soviet spy ring. This incident eventually led to France withdrawing from NATO and SHAPE relocating.

Case Briefs: Explorations & Review

This section presents investigations conducted by the Northern California Affiliate of MUFON. It includes a welcome to new subscribers and an introduction to the publication.

Case 2: And the Wires Hummed!

This case describes a sighting on September 1, 1993, near Clearlake Oaks, California. Witnesses observed a large, orange, self-illuminated object that ascended and appeared to be a mother ship discharging smaller craft. The object was described as having a milk-white luminosity and sometimes appearing as a disc or a pudgy cigar. The event was accompanied by humming sounds from electrical equipment.

Interviews: A Conversation with Paul Norman

Laura Steiger interviews Paul Norman, a long-time UFO researcher and Vice President of VUFORS. Norman discusses his initial interest in UFOs sparked by a sighting in 1953. He highlights the disappearance of Frederick Valentich in 1978 as a significant Australian UFO case. Norman notes a decrease in media ridicule towards UFO phenomena over the years and advises investigators to be scrupulously scientific.

Blue Book Pearls: Greenville, SC

This article analyzes a UFO sighting from May 13, 1952, in Greenville, SC, which was initially evaluated as 'unknown' by Project Blue Book and later suggested to be 'possible geese'. The author critically examines the bird hypothesis, using witness descriptions and calculations to demonstrate its implausibility. The objects were described as silent, self-illuminated, and flying in a diamond formation, with an angular size and speed that do not align with bird behavior.

Press Cuttings Of Interest

This section compiles various news clippings related to UFO phenomena.

Mystery Lights in Outback

Reports from Wycliffe Well, Northern Territory, Australia, describe mysterious orange, red, and green lights in the night sky that cause electronic disturbances. Local residents, including a roadhouse proprietor, have witnessed these lights, which appear to descend to the ground. The phenomenon is also noted by local Aboriginal people.

Quake Theory on UFOs

This article suggests a potential link between UFO sightings and earthquakes. Reports of eerie airglows, glowing domes, and lights in the sky near Tennant Creek, Australia, are discussed in relation to seismic activity. Earthquake expert Dr. Trevor Jones notes that while the phenomena cannot be definitively linked to earthquakes, high voltages in stressed Earth's crust might explain some observations.

Alien Probe is Watching Us

This clipping reports on a mystery diamond-shaped satellite detected orbiting Earth, with speculation that it could be a probe from outer space, possibly equipped with a transmitter. Initially suspected to be a Russian or American spy satellite, its origin remains unknown.

UFO First

This brief note mentions that Indonesia will hold its first seminar on unidentified flying objects.

UFO caught by camera

This refers to a dramatic shot of an unidentified flying object seen near Wycliffe Well, captured on video by a cameraman. The object and another light had been observed for three weeks by staff and tourists.

Letters

This section contains a letter from a person named Paul Norman to another Paul Norman, discussing the reprinting of an article titled "Metamorphosis" and mentioning other related publications and speakers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the scientific search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI), historical UFO case analyses, eyewitness accounts of sightings, and the investigation efforts of UFO research organizations. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-mindedness and a commitment to providing assistance and counseling to individuals affected by UFO experiences, while also encouraging rigorous scientific investigation of phenomena.

This issue of The Australian U.F.O. Bulletin, Volume 2, Number 2, dated March/April 1994, published by Wild Flower Press, focuses on the complexities of understanding UFO phenomena, exploring both personal experiences and broader theoretical frameworks. The cover headline, "The Whole Truth or Black Holes of Disinformation," by Paul Garson, sets a tone of critical inquiry into the subject.

Article: Metamorphosis: Part I by Edward Carlos

Edward Carlos, a professor of fine arts, artist, stage director, and writer, shares his personal journey triggered by an experience on the Hebridean Island of Iona on Easter Sunday, 1990. During several hours of missing time, he photographed an orange-pink light descending from clouds, accompanied by sparks. This experience led to extensive research, including X-rays, an MRI scan, and 30 hours of hypnotic regression. Carlos discusses how time is a human construct to avoid confronting chaos and how our perception is limited by sequential thinking. He posits that UFO encounters are not always easily deciphered and that their language is imagic, symbolic, and mythic, operating beyond rational confines. Hypnotic regression is presented as a tool to access fragmented memories and decode amnesia, leading to a deeper understanding of oneself and the phenomenon. He suggests that the arts, through experiential metaphor and symbol-making, can help in understanding this language. Metamorphosis, in this context, refers to a transfiguration where the essence remains the same but the form or depth of spirit changes.

Article: The Whole Truth or Black Holes of Disinformation by Paul Garson

This article presents two fundamental questions posed to Stuart Brown, editor of POPULAR SCIENCE magazine, regarding the UFO controversy. The questions are designed to be pondered before a public dialogue/debate at the June 15 MUFON-LA meeting. The two postulates are:

A. UFOs are non-terrestrial manifestations interfacing with our reality and originating from some other time, dimension or planet?

OR

B. UFOs are part and parcel of some super-secret U.S. or world-wide conspiracy engendered by a "shadow government" or arcane secret society?

Garson notes that both explanations are traumatic and unnerving. If A is true, it implies non-human creatures with advanced technology are visiting Earth, potentially conducting genetic experiments and having secret covenants with human leaders. If B is true, it suggests a vast conspiracy by human leaders to create a phantom empire involving UFO technology, mind control, and disinformation. A third possibility is suggested: that the UFO phenomenon is a "psychic artifact," a construct of the collective unconscious, or a manifestation of individual psychological states, such as hallucination or "fantasy proneness." The article concludes by stating that the complexity of UFOs may stretch beyond our current understanding and that perhaps a single explanation is insufficient.

Tasmanian Sighting Reports in 1993

This section details several UFO sightings reported in Tasmania during 1993:

• January 11th: A witness near Longley reported a very bright, shiny yellow light, rocking back and forth, appearing too large to be a star on a heavily clouded night.
• January 12th: Near Evandale, Mr. M and his wife observed three spinning lights on a bright round shape, possibly a cylinder, which moved and then disappeared over distant hills.
• May 10th: At Redbill Beach, a light changed color from white to red then blue, performed an arc, spiraled, did circle moves, and then faded.
• May 29th: In Launceston, two orange lights were observed turning in unison over the city, later gaining elevation and disappearing into low cloud.

Multiple Sightings on Farm (Tasmania)

This report details sightings on a farm 55K north of Hobart, spanning 1985-1986. Mr. G recounts an incident in July 1985 where he and his son saw a bright blue object that landed, emitted round blue lights, and was surrounded by a blue glow. The object was estimated to be 20-25m tall and 6-7m wide. During the encounter, a 12-volt battery Mr. G was carrying warmed up and started to bubble. A strange, unintelligible singing sound was heard. The object then took off, and Mr. G discovered a 15cm hole burnt in his singlet.

In the summer of 1986, a second UFO reportedly visited the farm for about three months. Mr. G saw it a couple of times each week. On one occasion in January, he and his daughter observed a huge oval-shaped object with numerous white lights passing overhead, estimated to be 200-150m across.

Reports from Zimbabwe (September 1994)

Cynthia Hind reports on UFO activity in Zimbabwe from September 14th, 1994. Hundreds of people witnessed a series of bright lights moving across the sky. Initially identified as a meteorite shower, further reports suggested it was a Russian satellite stage or a UFO. The object was described as brilliant white, tinging to orangey-red, and huge, flying at approximately 625 mph before leveling out and flying at tree-top level. Witnesses near Lake Kariba reported it rose to avoid hills. The object was tracked across Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, eventually fading from view over Mozambique. Some reports mentioned a "quiet vibration," and one technician described a flat, metallic belly with two engines. Two mothers reported their children were affected, with one child waking and shouting about a lion and another baby being unsettled all night.

Spielberg to Expose UFO Cover-Ups

According to the LONDON DAILY MIRROR, director Steven Spielberg is planning a movie based on the 1947 Roswell UFO crash incident. The film, tentatively titled "PROJECT X," is intended to unmask a government cover-up and is rumored to involve footage of alien bodies. The movie is slated for release in 1997, the 50th anniversary of the Roswell crash.

Society History: Victorian U.F.O. Research Society

This section provides a history of the Victorian UFO Research Society, tracing its origins back to the "Australian Flying Saucer Bureau" (early 1950s) and the "Australian Flying Saucer Research Society." The Victorian branch was formed in 1957 and has undergone name changes, eventually becoming the "Victorian U.F.O. Research Society." The society has maintained a dispassionate attitude towards UFOs, viewing it as a scientific problem. It has published papers, including the "Australian Flying Saucer Review" and the "Australian U.F.O. Bulletin," and sponsored a radio program. Despite facing challenges, including the loss of books due to postage costs, the society continues to operate and is described as the largest UFO organization in the Southern Hemisphere.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the personal and psychological impact of UFO experiences, the difficulty in interpreting and explaining these phenomena, and the potential for government disinformation or cover-ups. The publication, through its various articles and reports, maintains a stance of open inquiry, encouraging the exchange of ideas and a scientific approach to the study of UFOs, while acknowledging the complexities and potential for misinterpretation. The editorial stance appears to be one of seeking truth and understanding, regardless of the challenges or conventional explanations.