Australian UFO Bulletin - 1995 03 - March

Magazine Overview

Title: THE AUSTRALIAN U.F.O. BULLETIN
Issue: #3
Date: March 1995
Publisher: Victorian U.F.O. Research Society
Country: Australia

Editorial

The editorial, dated March 1995, notes a significant increase in new memberships, even after recent comments from skeptics and UFOlogists in the Melbourne Herald-Sun. An article titled 'Search Begins for Life Beyond our World' is credited with boosting interest. The editorial contrasts the 'Australian Sceptics' view, which dismisses reports as elementary phenomena like space junk or satellites, with the society's ongoing efforts to find evidence of objects operating with more intelligent technology, closer to home.

Video Review

Incident at Roswell - First Release Video

This section reviews a video about the Roswell incident, praising it for getting the story right without embellishment. The cast includes Martin Sheen, Kyle McLaughlin, and Dwight Yoakam. It mentions the 'Roswell Declaration,' a lobbying effort for government disclosure, but also references Bob Lazar's assertion that such efforts might be futile due to 'executive power.' The reviewer hopes the video generates outrage, emphasizing the public's right to the truth.

On The UFO Trail

This personal account by Paul Norman, dated 1995, traces his involvement with UFOlogy since 1962. He recalls his early correspondence with Judith Magee and his membership in NICAP. Norman discusses the historical tendency to dismiss humanoid-related UFO cases and the current shift towards accepting abduction and contactee reports. He recounts an exceptionally good encounter in 1977 involving a lost time experience, which was interrupted by a figure from the 'political wing' of UFOlogy, highlighting the ongoing challenges and controversies within the field.

Key Persons and Organizations

Key office bearers of the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society (V.U.F.O.R.S.) are listed, including President Judith Magee, Vice-President Paul Norman, Secretary Ted Skewes, Treasurer Clive Yates, Minutes Secretary Tony Cook, and Membership Secretary Gary Wing. Other listed personnel include Paul Norman (Sighting Investigations Officer), George Simpson (Photographic Officer), and Peter Close (Electronics Consultant). The society exchanges information with similar Australian and overseas organizations.

Membership Renewal

Members are reminded to refer to their address label for membership renewal information and are encouraged to renew promptly.

Contents

The table of contents lists various articles, including an editorial, 'On The UFO Trail,' 'The US Air Force Roswell Investigation Report,' 'UFOs Here and Now,' 'UFO at Ruwa,' 'Dreams or Real,' 'The 1897 Airships,' 'Knox gripped by Great Balls of Fire,' 'November 1994 UFO News,' 'Eve Speaking,' 'Crop Circles Reach Romania,' 'The European Dimension,' 'The 8th International UFO Congress,' 'Australian Sighting Reports,' and 'Book Review - Project Delta.'

A Commentary on the USAF Roswell Investigation Report

This article by Virgil Staff critically examines the July 1994 Air Force report on Roswell. Staff argues that the report's assertion of being final is an attempt to protect the Air Force's image and dismiss decades of potentially fraudulent claims. He suggests that Blue Book was a charade and that other, more classified investigations likely occurred. The article questions the Air Force's claim of possessing no documents while simultaneously claiming knowledge of the incident, highlighting inconsistencies and the potential for government cover-ups. It also touches upon the classification levels of documents and the unlikelihood of such materials being found in standard archives.

Case Briefs: Explorations & Review

This section presents several sighting reports:

• Yorh UFO Sightings: John Hunt reported a lemon-coloured sphere over the River Ouse at York, described as fast-moving and making no sound. Nora Breeze also reported a 'pale yellow onion-shaped' object.
• Taunton Overflights: A Taunton man reported square-shaped white and yellow lights, and another instance of a bright spotlight directed downwards.
• UFO Sightings Over Dover: Mr. John Dickson reported a saucer-like object emitting a shaft of light, described as elongated with a dome.
• Encounters at Windermere: Two men reported a large, dull orange, rotating sphere hovering over the valley.
• Mare Observation: Colorful flashes in the sky over the Essex coast were explained as mistaken for air distress flares.
• Strange Object Over Alconbury: Mr. and Mrs. Lee observed a strange, ice-cream cone-shaped object with small lights hovering over Huntingdon.
• Spinning Fireball: Residents in Slough reported a low-flying, spinning ball of fire.
• UFOs Over Somerset: Multiple reports of a disc-shaped object with multi-coloured lights, and a large burning orange globe of light.

News From Africa: UFO at Ruwa

On September 16, 1994, 62 children at Arias School in Ruwa, Zimbabwe, witnessed three silver balls that disappeared and reappeared. One object landed or hovered over rough ground. An investigation involving a BBC reporter and equipment was conducted on September 20th to search for traces. The headmaster, Mr. Mackie, believed the children's accounts. Interviews and drawings from the children described a small man (approx. 1 meter tall) with a tight-fitting black suit, large eyes, and long black hair, who appeared from the object and then disappeared. The children's ages ranged from 5/6 to 12 years.

UFO Potpourri

This section contains several short articles:

• Dreams or Real?: Discusses the debate on UFO abductions, with researchers divided on whether they are real experiences or manifestations of dreams/sleep paralysis. It references an article by Sanjida O'Connell on distinguishing dreams from reality and quotes Prof. Donald Symons and Prof. Jim Horne on the nature of dreams.
• Very Small Transmitter: Mentions the development of a tracking transmitter for insects, highlighting advancements in technology.
• The 1897 Airships: Details numerous reports of 'airships' seen in America in 1897, citing newspaper coverage from the St. Louis Star and St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Reports include sightings in Oklahoma, Delaware, St. Louis, Detroit, Dunkirk, and Bloomington, with some witnesses hearing passengers talking and one report of a message dropped from a craft. Thomas A. Edison is quoted as being skeptical of the airship question being solved.
• UFOs in the Sky: More details on the 1897 airship sightings, including reports from Michigan and Ohio.
• Voices in the Sky: Reports of passengers in an airship talking loudly were heard in Dunkirk, Ohio.
• That Airship: Mentions sightings in Bloomington, Illinois, and by train crews. It also notes that Thomas A. Edison does not believe the airship question has been solved.
• Way Out of Date: A report from Milan, Missouri, describing an object resembling an engine headlight.
• Airship in the Heavens: Reports from Washington University professors puzzling over sightings and planning to watch the skies.

News Watch: Knox gripped by great balls of fire

This article reports on numerous sightings of strange, glowing orange balls of light over the Knox municipality in Australia. Residents, motorists, and shoppers reported seeing these objects. The Australian UFO Research Society received many calls, with spokeswoman Judy Magee suggesting it could be a hoax, possibly related to students taking time off for exams. Knox Police Sen-Sgt Phil Edmunds was unaware of official reports but suggested it could be people playing tricks or discarding flares.

News Watch: Resident says UFO mystery just hot air

Claire Rae, a Boronia resident, claims to have solved the Knox UFO mystery, stating the lights were large garbage bags with suspended baskets containing debris. She witnessed this phenomenon on the same night many others reported seeing bright orange balls of light.

Close encounter

A British Airways jet reportedly had a close encounter with a fast-moving UFO over the Pennine Mountains. The pilots reported a brightly-lit triangular object that hurtled towards them before veering off. Air traffic control confirmed no other planes were in the area. The CAA is investigating, with spokesman Chris Mason stating suggestions of a UFO are 'purely speculative' and that near-misses often turn out to be air balloons or small private aircraft.

Seventh Annual Ozark UFO Conference

Details are provided for the Seventh Annual Ozark UFO Conference in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, from April 7-9, 1995. The conference will feature lectures, audiovisual presentations, and a panel discussion with various speakers, including Dr. Bruce Cornet, Dr. Michael Zimmerman, Ted Phillips, Dr. Karla Turner, and Linda Moulton Howe. Information on registration fees, accommodation, and vendor tables is included.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include UFO sightings across various locations (Australia, UK, Zimbabwe, USA), historical UFO phenomena (1897 Airships), the controversial topic of UFO abductions, and the ongoing debate between believers and skeptics. The editorial stance, as indicated by the content and the society's mission, is one of open investigation into unusual phenomena, valuing firsthand reports and seeking evidence of advanced technology, while acknowledging the skepticism and controversies surrounding the subject. There is a clear emphasis on presenting diverse viewpoints and factual accounts, encouraging public engagement through membership and reporting of sightings.

Title: AUSTRALIAN UFO BULLETIN
Issue: No 161
Volume: 39
Date: Autumn, 1994 (derived from cover date and internal references)
Publisher: FSR Publications Ltd (for Flying Saucer Review), and VUFORS/INUFOR for Australian reports.
Country: Australia (primary focus), with international reports.
Language: English

This issue of the Australian UFO Bulletin, dated Autumn 1994, presents a diverse collection of articles and reports related to UFO phenomena. It delves into theoretical physics, government investigations, witness testimonies, and detailed accounts of sightings from around the globe, with a significant focus on Australia.

Physics and Theoretical Possibilities

The issue opens with an exploration of the theoretical possibility of 'warp speed' travel, referencing physicist Miguel Alcubierre's work published in CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM GRAVITY. Alcubierre suggested that space itself can be warped, potentially allowing for faster-than-light travel without violating Einstein's theory of relativity. This concept is presented as a solution to the immense distances involved in interstellar space travel.

International Sightings and Investigations

Several international sightings are detailed:

• England: A report from The HINCKLEY TIMES describes a UFO observed over Burbage, displaying bright red, blue, and orange static lights and a bright white flashing light, hovering at low altitude before moving off rapidly and silently. Another report from The London DAILY TELEGRAPH highlights Hungarian Defense Minister Gyorgi Keleti's keen interest in UFOs, noting that many sightings were compiled from Hungarian soldiers' reports. Col. Charles Halt, a witness from the 1980 RAF Woodbridge UFO landing, is quoted as speaking openly about his belief that he saw something not built by any government on Earth.
• United States: A sighting near Mount Baldy in Oregon is mentioned, where a resident reported seeing 30 flying objects.
• Sweden: The issue features an investigation by the Swedish Security Police (SÄPO) into a 'cigar' shaped UFO sighting at Håknäs in 1991. The report, classified for national security, details the testimony of a family who witnessed a slow-moving, cylindrical white object. The SÄPO officer interviewed stated that the witnesses were trustworthy and that the object's nature remained unexplained, possibly being a foreign secret service craft.
• Romania/Hungary: Crop circles appearing in Arad are described, measuring 6 metres in diameter with a 42-metre outer ring. Witnesses reported the corn being pressed down anti-clockwise, and crucially, the circles were witnessed being made, not by hoaxers.
• Sweden: A sighting over Lake Vättern in Brandstorp details a small, black, delta-winged-like object observed flying at incredible speed with a strange, undefinable 'cosmic' sound. The Swedish UFO-SWEDEN organization confirmed no military activity in the area at the time.

Australian Sighting Reports

The bulletin dedicates significant space to UFO reports from various Australian states:

• Victoria: Reports from the Dandenongs area mention ongoing 'prankster and hoaxer' activity, including lighted garbage bags. A specific incident on August 19, 1988, near Kew Junction, describes a tram inspector observing a pulsating white light hovering above the Kew Post Office, surrounded by coloured lights, which then moved away quickly and silently. A sketch of the object is included.
• Close Encounter Report (May 9, 1988): Three anonymous witnesses reported seeing 12 small orange lights dancing, followed by a huge white, round object overhead, over a period of 5 hours, with a humming sound. This is noted as a missing time case.
• New South Wales: On September 8, 1994, a large horse-shoe shaped object was observed flying towards the south west over the Newell Highway. It was described as aluminium, with yellow, green, and blue lights, and large enough for a light aircraft to fly into. Another report from NSW details a large bright red/orange light with a red light on top, exhibiting intelligent actions by moving backwards.
• Northern Territory: Wycliffe Well is highlighted as a major UFO hotspot. Reports from September 7th onwards describe multiple objects, appearing as orange balls with red and green lights, stopping, descending, and rising. One witness described a greyish light emitting from the top of a dome-shaped craft. The media's presence led to the disappearance of the objects.
• South Australia: Sightings include two large yellow/orange lights following a vehicle near Kingston on Murray, and two smoke grey dome-shaped objects near Penrith. A report from Morphett Vale describes orange/red solid glows of light that hovered then shot away.
• Queensland: A pulsating gold light made strange movements near Woodhill, exhibiting hovering and emitting red and green flashes before a 'diamond' type object burst from below and shot off west at incredible speed.

UFO Encounter Journal Reports

This section consolidates reports, often from INUFOR (Independent Network of UFO Researchers), detailing specific sightings with dates, locations, and descriptions:

• South Australia: Kingston on Murray (July 5, 1994) - large yellow/orange lights. Morphett Vale (September 5, 1994) - orange/red glows.
• New South Wales: Penrith (July 20, 1994) - smoke grey dome objects. Dora Creek (July 26, 1994) - large oblong orange object/light. Gorokon (August 23, 1994) - large bright red/orange light. Newcastle/Swansea (August 27, 1994) - large red/orange glow.
• Northern Territory: Newcastle (August 27, 1994) - large red/orange glow.
• New South Wales: Oenpelli (October 23, 1915) - three bright white lights. Ulladulla (November 6, 1994) - yellow glows and green 'balls'. Merrylands (June 15, 1994) - large green/orange light causing power cuts and car alarms. Entrance (June 15, 1994) - white object following a plane. Woodhill (June 19, 1994) - pulsating gold light, diamond object. Sydney Northern Beaches (June 20, 1994) - pulsating red, orange, yellow object.
• Western Australia: Freemantle (October 22, 1994) - brilliant white light.

Society News and Events

• Flying Saucer Review (FSR): The editorial section features 'Eve speaking...', reflecting on the sanity of UFO enthusiasts and encouraging subscriptions. It also mentions a profile of Gordon Creighton and VUFORS's role.
• British UFO Research Association (BUFORA): Announces the 8th International UFO Congress in Sheffield, August 19-20, 1995, honouring Walter Andrus of MUFON. Provisional speakers include international researchers. A special announcement highlights the potential for the first Russian scientist to lecture on UFOs in the UK.
• East Midlands U.F.O. Research Association (EMUFORA): Provides contact details for Philip Mantle, who is compiling a directory of UFO groups and publications worldwide.
• Victorian UFO Research Society (VUFORS): Details discussion nights and subscription rates. The 'Society History' section traces the evolution of UFO research groups in Victoria from the early 1950s, including the 'Australian Flying Saucer Bureau' and the 'Victorian Flying Saucer Research Society', noting its dispassionate approach and extensive library.
• VUFORS Marketing: Lists items for sale, including VUFORS pens, the book 'Flight Into The Ages' by Ken Llewelyn, and other books/magazines.
• Book Review: 'PROJECT DELTA A study of Multiple U.F.O.' by Richard Haines is reviewed. The book covers 473 cases from 1504 BC to 1993, focusing on cases with multiple witnesses or UFOs, and concludes that Earth is likely being visited by advanced aerospace vehicles.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the reporting and investigation of UFO sightings, the theoretical underpinnings of potential advanced propulsion systems (like warp speed), and the organizational efforts within the UFO research community. There is a clear emphasis on witness testimony and the collection of data, with a generally serious and investigative tone, despite acknowledging the 'mystery' aspect. The editorial stance, particularly from 'Eve', encourages engagement and support for UFO research publications and organizations, while also addressing the public perception of UFO enthusiasts as potentially 'mad'. The inclusion of historical context for Australian UFO research societies highlights a long-standing interest and organized effort in the field.