Australian UFO Bulletin - 1997 03 - March

Magazine Overview

This issue of The Australian UFO Bulletin, dated March 1997, marks the 40th anniversary of the Victorian UFO Research Society (VUFORS). The cover features a stylized depiction of UFOs and a space shuttle in a starry sky.

Editorial: 1957 - 1997 VUFORS: Forty Years of Experience

Judith Magee, President of VUFORS, reflects on the organization's four decades of existence. She recalls joining in 1958, shortly after VUFORS broke away from the Adelaide-based Australian Flying Saucer Research Society. The visit of George Adamski in 1959 generated media coverage, though often in a 'send-up' form. Early significant reports included Rev. Gill's 1959 sighting in Papua New Guinea, where he and thirty-eight witnesses observed a large UFO. VUFORS commenced its lending library, which became the largest in the Southern Hemisphere until rising postage costs curtailed the service. Meetings were held at Kelvin Hall and later at the Horticulture Hall, where the first exhibition was considered successful. The organization eventually moved to the National Mutual Theatrette and then to the Royal Society, a prestigious venue.

Magee notes that over 40 years, VUFORS has met many researchers who are not easily swayed into believing everything reported is a genuine UFO. Notable visitors mentioned include Dr. James E. McDonald (1967), Dr. J. Allen Hynek (1973), Mrs. Cynthia Hind from Africa (1987), Dr. Willy Smith (1991), and Dewey Fournet, a former Intelligence Officer involved in the 1952 Washington radar/visual UFO flap (1992). Stanton Friedman also addressed a large meeting in Melbourne.

Paul Norman is credited with facilitating many of these visits by meeting researchers overseas and discussing Australian reports. The editorial expresses hope for substantial investigations in the coming year, moving away from 'pestilent pranksters' creating UFOs based on internet directions.

Contents

The issue features a variety of articles, including an editorial, 'On The UFO Trail', 'The Early Years', 'UFO Potpourri', detailed case studies from Tonopah, Nevada, and Mexico, book reviews, and society news.

On The UFO Trail

Paul Norman discusses the Whitman Blimp at Moorabbin Airport, which has been mistaken for UFOs due to its quiet motors. He also notes that the Russian space station MIR and spy satellites are frequently reported as UFOs. Norman warns against gullibility in the field, citing an example of an insurance policy against alien abduction and Dr. John Mack being deceived by a woman who faked an abduction story. He emphasizes the need to distinguish between sincere beliefs and potential deception. The article also mentions CSIRO using laser beams to study the ozone layer and the difficulty in separating man-made activity from unexplained reports. The upcoming probe to Mars and the 'face' and 'pyramids' in the Cydonia region are highlighted, with criticism from researchers like Richard Hoagland and Professor Stanley McDaniel.

An obituary for Mimi Hynek, wife of Dr. J. Allen Hynek, is included.

The Early Years

This section presents a selection of reports from "The Australian Flying Saucer Magazine" published in the early 1950s:

• Santiago, Chile, March 1, 1950: Commander Augusto Vars Orrego reported seeing and photographing several disas-wheeling above the Antarctic station at tremendous speeds.
• Brisbane, Queensland, January 21, 1953: Two brothers, Alan and Arnold Schnitzerling, reported being followed by a bright light, described as 'power driven' and 'terribly bright', which landed nearby.
• London, England, November 11, 1953: Air Ministry officials admitted that England and America were exchanging 'top secret' information about flying saucers, with many reports withheld from the public.
• Melbourne, Victoria, April 28, 1954: A flying saucer was reported to have almost stopped a train. The driver and fireman described it as a dark purple, perfectly round mass that hovered and then plunged down.

UFO Potpourri

This section contains various brief reports:

• Florida Close Encounter (July 10, 1996): A Pensacola resident reported seeing a large, dark black triangular craft with white lights on the corners and a red blinking light in the center, hovering over the road.
• Flying Triangle Over England (August 3, 1996): Witnesses in Southport reported UFOs hovering over a field, described as triangle-shaped with white lights and a green light, remaining motionless.
• Another Flying Triangle (March 28, 1996): A formation of lights near Penlan, Brecon, England, was described as a large ring of lights.
• Flying Wedge (Triangle) Over England (April 6, 1996): British Airways pilots reported a strange wedge-shaped object, lit up like a Christmas tree, flashing by their plane at 4,000 feet.

Large Black Triangle Over England

Sunday Independent, Plymouth, May 5, 1996: Two teenagers reported seeing a large black triangle with white lights on each corner and one near the center, passing overhead at about 200-300 feet.

Silent UFO Zooms By

Press and Journal, Aberdeen, Scotland, February 27, 1996: Two workers reported a silent UFO buzzing over telephone poles, performing various maneuvers.

Canada's X-Files Closed

Vancouver Sun, July 27, 1996: Canada's X-Files have been shut down due to budget cuts, with the NRC's Solar-Terrestrial Physics Group being phased out, leaving no one to collect and catalog UFO sighting reports.

V-Shaped UFO Over England

Southend Evening Echo, March 29, 1996: A 'V-shaped craft' with about 20 lights on its flanks was spotted by a couple in Southend, described as looking like a formation of ducks.

Tonopah, Nevada, November 23, 1957

This detailed case study, reproduced with permission from Dr. Willy Smith, focuses on the sighting by 1st Lt. Joseph F. Long. The case is considered unusual because it involved a close encounter with landed objects, but had only one witness and lacked supporting evidence. The Air Force's investigation, particularly by Capt. George T. Gregory, is scrutinized for its attempts to dismiss the case, labeling it 'psychological' or 'road hypnosis'.

Lt. Long described four identical disc-shaped objects, emitting light, with three landing gears, approximately fifty feet in diameter and ten to fifteen feet high. The objects rotated and lifted off the ground, disappearing behind hills. Lt. Long's car started without difficulty after the incident. The official report noted Lt. Long's education and background, and his commanding officer believed him. However, Capt. Gregory expressed skepticism, suggesting the witness might be influenced by science fiction and questioning his motives. Dr. Paul M. Fitts was consulted for a psychological analysis but expressed conjectures rather than firm conclusions, suggesting possibilities of hoax, road hypnosis, or lack of observation.

The 'Final Disposition' of the case concluded it was 'PSYCHOLOGICAL', a less probable explanation according to the author. The files are silent on Lt. Long's subsequent fate. The case was never moved into the public domain.

Case Briefs: Explorations & Review

Mysteries in Mexico: A UFO Report

Ruben Uriarte details a research trip to Mexico, focusing on sightings around the volcano Popocatepetl. He mentions encounters with 'contactees' and a young boy named Claudio who saw three small beings. The article also features architect Mario Torres Ramirez's sketches of disk-like craft and Adriana, a 16-year-old who experienced three visitations. Carlos Dias and his wife Margarita shared their experiences with 'plasma ships'. Jaime Maussan, President of 'Programas de Investigacione', provided a presentation on Mexico's UFO activity, linking it to the 'Sixth Sun' prophecy.

Press Cuttings of Interest

• Myrrhee Student Report: (No details provided in the scan).
• Carl Sagan, the stellar storyteller (Obituary): An obituary for Carl Sagan, the astronomer and science popularizer, who died at age 62. It highlights his contributions to making astronomy accessible and his belief in extraterrestrial intelligence.
• Cosmic Conman: A report about a $3.5 million insurance payout to a man who claimed to be abducted by aliens, exposed as a fraud.
• Correction: Clarification regarding the source of a Xith Century UFO report from China.
• UFOS ARE REAL-I'VE SEEN THEM, SAYS NASA ASTRONAUT: An exclusive interview with Gordon Cooper, a former astronaut, who claims to have seen UFOs and that there has been a government cover-up for nearly 50 years. He believes a craft crashed at Roswell in 1947.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the historical documentation of UFO sightings, the challenges of investigating such phenomena, the role of organizations like VUFORS, and the persistent question of government secrecy and potential cover-ups. The editorial stance, as articulated by Judith Magee, is one of cautious investigation, emphasizing critical evaluation of reports and vigilance against deception, while acknowledging the genuine interest and dedication of researchers in the field. The issue also touches upon the intersection of UFO phenomena with cultural beliefs and prophecies, particularly in the context of the Mexican sightings.

This issue of the Australian UFO Bulletin, dated October/November/December 1996, features a prominent "Northern Flap" headline on its cover, suggesting a focus on sightings in Tasmania. The magazine is dedicated to reporting and investigating UFO phenomena across Australia.

Key Sightings and Reports

Myrrhee Student Report

This report details a sighting by an 11-year-old student, Mary-Lou Owen, on September 1st, 1995, near Myrrhee, Victoria. While playing outside, she observed a brown, oval-shaped object moving slowly overhead. Initially, she reported it lasted one minute, but later revised this to 10 seconds. The object was estimated to be half the size of the moon and approximately 100 meters away. The report notes the family's interest in UFOs and their previous sightings. The conclusion suggests the object was unidentifiable and encourages young people to observe the skies.

Australian Sightings (Colac Area)

A report from J.M. Kennedy, Western District Representative, details a sighting on November 22, 1996, near Colac, Victoria. Mr. Kilo, Mr. Sierra, and Ms. Papa observed four black, round objects flying in a South Westerly direction, with one veering off Southerly. The objects were described as unlike anything seen before. The witnesses are described as holding senior management positions, implying they have little to gain from fabricating a story. Mr. Kilo is now a firm believer.

South Australian Sightings

Allenby Gardens: Charlotte Costain reported seeing a circular, orange-coloured object on September 7, 1996, which she described as definitely not an aeroplane, moving at twice the speed of one. It traveled across the sky, became stationary, and then continued its journey.

Clearview: Leslie White, an electronics technician, and another person witnessed three orange objects flying in formation on July 28, 1996. Two moved slowly, while one moved fast. White believes this confirms that "we are not alone" and recounts a previous sighting 30 years prior.

Craigmore: An RAAF airman and two others saw two bright gold/white lights on July 14, 1996. Initially thought to be a star, the lights began moving south-east and then vanished. They observed normal aircraft in the vicinity and are accustomed to air traffic.

Sighting Report: North Croydon & Wonga Park

Received by VUFORS, this report from October 8, 1996, describes a driver seeing two large, bright lights, later identified as a dark object with lights at either end. The object was low, moving slowly, and later appeared to be stationary. The witness and his sons observed it, noting a dimmer light inside the object. They followed it and observed more lights underneath. The object appeared to be traveling North then headed West.

Sighting near Moree, NSW

Stan Williams, a farmer, reported a violet-red ball object on April 7, 1976, near Moree. The silent object was close to the ground and emitted lights that formed fans. The experience lasted approximately 7 minutes, and the witness felt he was being watched.

Sighting at Kimba, South Australia

A 45-year-old folk-artist and five other witnesses observed a bright red light on June 19, 1996, in Kimba. The object was motionless and remained visible for about 10 minutes. Coinciding with this sighting, the town experienced intermittent power failures.

Sightings (Tasmania)

"Nests" in Moorina (8.12.96): Several markings resembling UFO nests were found in a sorghum crop, described as spiraling woven patterns, with the largest being oval and about 50 feet across.

Orange Light near Tamborine (8.12.96): A couple observed a bright orange light hovering for 10-15 minutes before moving off slowly.

Light Cluster, Beaudesert (30.11.96): A family reported hearing a noise and seeing a cluster of green and white flashing lights hovering and then moving quickly East.

Probable Shuttle sighting, Samford & Woodford (30.11.96): Two reports of a bright white light followed by a dimmer light moving East, estimated at a height of 200-300 km. Later information suggested this might have been the Space Shuttle Columbia and a released satellite.

Huge Object over Calamvale (8.11.96): A couple and children saw a large object, the size of an aircraft carrier, directly overhead for about half an hour before it vanished, replaced by a large cloud.

Red Light over Brisbane (10.11.96): A committee member observed a red light moving S to N, constant in color and not appearing to be an aircraft.

Lights at Atkinson Dam (10.11.96): A family saw multiple lights moving Northerly, with one changing color and another zig-zagging.

West End (1.11.96): A witness saw a bright white light, stationary for a minute, then decreasing in size and vanishing.

Northern Flap (Tasmania)

The year 1996 saw a return of UFO sightings to Tasmania, with an increase in the latter half of 1995 and peaking in May/June 1996. Reports include daylight sightings of upright vapor-like trails, pink saucer-shaped clouds, and silvery cylindrical objects. A notable event on June 10th involved a bright afternoon sighting of a UFO described as a bronze-colored cigar shape.

Recent Reports (Tasmania)

Includes sightings of a dull grey domed object over Bell Bay, a bright white light behind an aircraft near Hobart Airport, and a silver/grey cigar shape seen near Campbell Town.

UFO Research and Classification

How to classify a close encounter

This section explains Dr. J. Allen Hyneck's three classifications for UFO sightings: CE-I (observation), CE-II (interaction), and CE-III (occupants reported). It also provides guidance on how to file a UFO report, emphasizing gathering witnesses, taking photos, and making detailed notes.

Book Review: TOP SECRET/MAJIC

This review discusses Stanton T. Friedman's book, defending the 'Majestic Twelve' document and criticizing debunkers like Phil Klass and Carl Sagan. The reviewer, George Simpson, praises Friedman's research methods and suggests the book provides new information on MJ-12 and alien artifact back-engineering.

The Gosford Files

A book by Moira McGhee and Bryan Dickeson dedicated to UFOs over the NSW Central Coast, featuring reports of silver discs, triangular objects, and encounters with UFO entities.

Society News and History

South Australian Sightings

This section includes brief reports from Allenby Gardens, Clearview, and Craigmore, detailing various aerial phenomena observed.

Society 1957 History

This section provides a history of the Victorian UFO Research Society, tracing its origins from early UFO groups in the 1950s, its formation in 1957, and its subsequent publications and activities. It highlights the society's dispassionate attitude towards UFOs and its role in maintaining the largest UFO library in the southern hemisphere.

VUFORS Sightings Hotline

Information is provided for the VUFORS Sightings Hotline and items for sale, including a Stanton Friedman CD-ROM and VUFORS merchandise.

Bright and noisy night object might simply have been a special fireball

This article discusses a bright, loud object with an orange tail seen over south-west Victoria, with UFO researchers and an astronomer suggesting it was likely a natural phenomenon such as a meteorite (bolide).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the reporting and investigation of UFO sightings across Australia, with a focus on witness testimony and physical evidence. The magazine appears to maintain a serious and investigative stance on the subject, encouraging detailed reporting and research. There is a clear emphasis on distinguishing between genuine sightings and misidentifications, while also acknowledging the possibility of extraterrestrial phenomena. The historical context provided by the Victorian UFO Research Society's history suggests a long-standing commitment to the study of UFOs.