Australian UFO Bulletin - 2000 03 - March

Magazine Overview

This issue of The Australian UFO Bulletin, dated March 2000, is published by the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society (V.U.F.O.R.S.). The cover features a striking graphic of a space shuttle and flying saucers against a starry sky, with the headline 'U.F.O. Discovery'. The price is listed as 3/00.

Editorial

Judith Magee, in the editorial, reflects on the evolution of UFO sightings since 1958, noting the increasing confusion for witnesses due to the proliferation of 'Earth-made' lights. She emphasizes the importance of detailed observation and reporting, recalling the initiation of the 'Observer Corps' in the mid-sixties to encourage country members to monitor the skies. The editorial expresses a need for assistance from these members to continue UFO research.

On The UFO Trail

Paul Norman reports on a significant sighting from Dargo, Victoria, on November 28th, involving three observers who witnessed a large, round, star-sized light maneuvering for two hours. The object displayed complex behavior, interacting with a satellite and appearing to merge with and emerge from itself. This incident is presented as an example of a large object operating with smaller ones. The article also touches upon the common misidentification of satellites as UFOs and the challenges of distinguishing them. A previous incident in Warrnambool involving spy satellites is also mentioned.

UFO Potpourri

This section presents several distinct reports:

RADAR/Visual Sighting - 1955

This detailed account, extracted from a report by Captain Laddie Marin of the Air Force Special Security Office, describes a radar-visual sighting by RB-47 bomber crews from June 1-8, 1955. The sightings involved an object that was tracked visually and by radar, exhibiting high speeds and erratic maneuvers. The object was initially hovering, then moved erratically, and eventually accelerated rapidly. A fighter was scrambled but lost visual contact. The report also mentions five smaller objects detected on radar below the KC-97s. Further accounts from pilots Lt. H.H. Speer, Lt. Robert W. Schneck, and Lt. David Cueldner provide corroborating details of the object's movement, speed, and altitude, noting that the object was not a star and that the pilots were certain they were seeing an object.

UFO Repetitions: A Challenge to Scientific Investigations

George D. Fawcett outlines 25 categories of UFO phenomena that have been consistently reported globally over nearly five decades. These include superior speeds and maneuvers, radar trackings, photographs, pursuits, 'angel hair' falls, ground effects, physiological effects on witnesses, electromagnetic interference, skyquakes, landings, hostile acts, contactee reports, unique shapes, and historical evidence. Fawcett argues that the repeatable nature of these phenomena presents a significant challenge to science and that future investigations must address this to solve the global UFO enigma.

The Vanishing UFO and the Vanishing Policemen!

Gordon Creighton recounts a remarkable case reported by Mr. Lance Druce from the early 1960s. Druce and his brother-in-law witnessed a large, dark brown, cigar-shaped object with yellow lights at Lychett-Minster, UK. The object followed their car and hovered above police houses. When they alerted the police, the object reportedly became invisible, and later, two Dorset policemen involved in the case allegedly disappeared. The article also mentions a subsequent sighting by Mr. Druce of a typical 'Adamski' scout ship and another sighting with his brother-in-law.

Other Reports and Features

• Brazil Strange Disappearances: A personal account from an American living in Brazil details a high rate of disappearances, suggesting a potential link to alien abduction and organ harvesting. The author shares a case of a teenager who disappeared and reappeared traumatized.
• Oregon Triangles: Jerry Burgess reports on a sighting of brilliant lights forming a truncated triangle shape over a ridge, which then accelerated rapidly, causing electronic disruptions.
• UFO Cases Highlighted in French Report: This section summarizes cases from the COMETA report, including a French pilot's encounter with a bright light near Dijon and another pilot's experience of being enveloped in green light.
• UFO Eludes Navajo Officers: Two Navajo police officers in McKinley County, USA, chased an unidentified flying object described as a circular disc projecting a cone of light.
• Mile High Suburbs: A newspaper clipping discusses John Schuessler's 32-year investigation into UFO sightings, particularly an incident involving astronauts in 1967, concluding that while he has amassed data, definitive answers remain elusive.
• Fawcett named to UFO museum's advisory group: George D. Fawcett, a veteran UFO investigator, has been appointed to the advisory group of the International UFO Museum and Research Center.
• SUFOG: A brief mention of The Australian UFO Bulletin from SUFOG, highlighting its content and recommending the Victorian UFO Research Society.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the persistence and global nature of UFO phenomena, the importance of detailed witness testimony and scientific investigation, and the challenges posed by misidentification and the lack of definitive answers. The publication consistently presents UFO reports with a serious investigative tone, encouraging members to contribute their observations and research. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry into unexplained aerial phenomena, aiming to gather and disseminate information on the subject.

Title: The Australian UFO Bulletin
Issue: 86
Date: February 2000
Publisher: Australian International UFO Flying Saucer Research Inc.
Country: Australia
ISSN: 0156-742X

This issue of The Australian UFO Bulletin presents a diverse range of content focused on UFO research and sightings. It includes a significant section on "Recent Tasmanian Reports" and other Australian sightings, a review of a prominent UFO research book, an article discussing potential extraterrestrial monitoring of space missions, and a historical overview of the Victorian UFO Research Society.

Recent Tasmanian Reports & Australian Sightings

The magazine features numerous reports of UFO sightings from various Australian locations, including Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland. These reports, primarily from late 1999 and early 2000, detail sightings of a wide array of aerial phenomena.

Clearview, South Australia (October 24, 1999): A witness, an amateur astronomer, described an object as bright as Venus but redish-orange, moving from south to south-west before disappearing. Using a telescope, a large jet black disc was observed, with a pulsing red light that expanded and shrunk.

Fawkner, Victoria (Early 1981): An observer reported six blue colored discs, initially circular but flattening as they sped away, darting around each other without crossing paths.

Fern Tree Gully, Victoria (August 9, 1999): Three lights in formation were joined by a fourth, passing overhead at constant height and speed before disappearing behind a hill.

Reservoir, Victoria (September 13, 1999): A brilliant white tube-shaped object with a rounded front and pointed rear was observed speeding from East to West at an estimated 2000-2500kms, described as foreign and not an aircraft.

Lake Eucumbene, New South Wales (November 23, 1999): Three witnesses observed a large white light with a tail, followed by three smaller orange lights that tracked the main light before disappearing.

Deniliquin, New South Wales (November 23, 1999): Five objects crossed the sky from West to North East, with the largest being about 1/4 the size of the moon.

Dandenong, Victoria (January 12, 2000): A round, white light appeared small like a satellite but increased in size to Moon size, then turned right and got smaller.

Eldorado, Victoria (August 31, 1999): An oblong shape with a pale to bright glow in front, bright blue center, and white tail was observed travelling south-east at a fast speed, approximately the width of the moon.

Fawkner, Victoria (1981): A disc-shaped object approached from the north east, emitting an electric blue color. The objects were seen darting around each other within a tight circular pattern.

Para Hills, South Australia (December 25, 1999): Five white round objects were sighted near the ground, appearing to fly in formation.

Port Augusta, South Australia (November 18, 1999): A round silver object was observed moving at a medium pace from east to west, estimated at 30,000 feet.

Ouse, Tasmania (January 11, 1998): Two witnesses reported a bright, thin oval object that remained stationary for five minutes before moving erratically.

Granton, Tasmania (August 3, 1998): A beam of orange light was seen shining down onto the Derwent River.

Eaglehawk Neck, Tasmania (December 2, 1998): A bright white light was observed stationary to the north, then moved overhead.

Granton, Tasmania (January 17, 1999): Four round, moon-sized shapes with glowing spokes and patches of light were observed over the river.

Ouse, Tasmania (February 21, 1999): Strange pulses of blue flashing light were observed to the north-west.

New Norfolk, Tasmania (July 5, 1999): Something noticed over Peppermint Hill, described as a smallish, silver shape against dark clouds, moving upwards.

Ross, Tasmania (July 5, 1999): A rectangular structure illuminated by an orange glow was observed low beyond trees, appearing to rise and tilt.

Townsville, Queensland (July 10, 1999): A star reappeared, got brighter and closer, with a spotlight beaming to the ground, and was observed bouncing and hovering.

Algester, Queensland (July 18, 1999): Four orange lights in a triangular formation and five larger lights in a hook formation were observed.

Seventeen Mile Rocks, Queensland (July 7, 1999): Three orange lights were observed moving East, with one disappearing quickly.

Algester, Queensland (July 18, 1999): Eight red-orange lights were seen in a triangular and hook formation.

Rockhampton, Queensland (July 20/21, 1999): An orange light was observed, brighter than a star, followed by another moving smoothly.

Brighton, Queensland (August 2, 1999): A big, dull, fast-moving object, round in shape with fuzzy edges, was observed moving North to South.

Brisbane, Queensland (August 6, 1999): Five witnesses reported what was interpreted as an F111 afterburn display.

Brackenridge, Queensland (July 7, 1999): A big white stationary body shaped like a half moon with six small blue lights was observed, fading and then reappearing.

Maryland Triangle Incident (October 8, 1999): A nurse witnessed two bright white lights, too far apart for airplane lights, hovering for about 5 minutes. The craft was described as large and triangular, flying on its side. The witness estimated the width of the craft to be equivalent to about five single-engine planes lined up.

New Mexico Incident (October 4, 1999): A report from Henio who was headed toward Tohatchi when he first spotted a light around 8 p.m. Navajo police officers later added that Rogers had also seen the light. Numerous other calls were received, and the lights were seen in the Window Rock area. After two hours, the UFO moved off and disappeared.

Solomon Islands Incident (December 28, 1999): A colored picture was taken of a UFO that moved eastward and northward, then anti-clockwise, up and down at high speed, then zoomed away. The object was described as bright like shining glass.

Book Review: CE-5 Close Encounters of the 5th Kind

The book, by Richard F. Haines, Ph.D., is reviewed by Joan Price. Haines has compiled a database of thousands of case histories, with hundreds personally investigated. The book is presented as a basic "textbook" for Ufology students, selecting 242 case histories to share his decades of research. The review highlights the concise style, adequate comments, and interesting illustrations. Case No. 208 from Cussac, France (August 28, 1967) is detailed, involving two witnesses who observed four "children" in black shiny clothes near a silvery sphere. The beings were described as levitating, and the object was a sphere about 6.5 feet in diameter on thin legs.

What Next? by G. Simpson

This article discusses the interception of messages from the space shuttle Discovery mentioning an "Alien spacecraft." The author notes that voice print analysis matched a "Civilian" crewman. The article then shifts to video evidence from shuttle missions (STS-48, STS-80, STS-84) allegedly showing numerous small spherical objects. A Canadian cable expert named "Willie" has been recording these transmissions. Simpson expresses skepticism about NASA's potential explanations and emphasizes the importance of informing the public about humanity's place in the cosmos, quoting retired Colonel Phil Corso.

Society History: Victorian UFO Research Society

This section provides a history of the Victorian UFO Research Society (VUFORS), tracing its origins back to the early 1950s with groups like the "Australian Flying Saucer Bureau" and the "Australian Flying Saucer Research Society." The society has undergone several name changes and reorganizations, eventually becoming the "Victorian UFO Research Society." It has published various papers, including the "Australian Flying Saucer Review" and the "Australian UFO Bulletin." The society has maintained a dispassionate attitude towards UFOs, viewing them as a scientific problem, and has housed the largest UFO library in the southern hemisphere, though this service has been discontinued due to postage costs.

Discussion Nights and Subscriptions

Information is provided for upcoming discussion nights for the Victorian UFO Research Society in March, June, September, and December 2000. Details on entry fees for non-members, associate members, and full members are listed. Subscription rates for the magazine are also provided, including options for full membership, associate membership, and overseas subscriptions.

Items for Sale

Several items are available for purchase, including Stanton Friedman's CD-ROM "UFOs... THE REAL STORY," VUFORS lapel badges, and VUFORS pens. Back issues of The Australian UFO Bulletin are also available by mail.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the reporting and investigation of UFO sightings, with a focus on detailed witness accounts and physical descriptions of objects. There is an emphasis on scientific inquiry and the need for accurate research, as highlighted in the book review and the historical overview of VUFORS. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation into anomalous phenomena, encouraging readers to seek the truth and maintain an open mind. The article "What Next?" suggests a critical approach to official explanations and a belief in the importance of public disclosure regarding potential extraterrestrial contact.