Australian UFO Bulletin - 2003 03 - March

Magazine Overview

This issue of The Australian U.F.O. Bulletin, dated March 2003, is published by the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society (VUFORS). The cover features a striking illustration of flying saucers and a space shuttle against a starry background, with the publication's title prominently displayed.

Editorial

The editorial, written by Judith Magee, President of VUFORS, expresses hopes for an exciting year in 2003, with increased UFO reports. She notes that residents in areas like Ballarat, Bendigo, and Halls Gap have become accustomed to 'lights' and are often indifferent, making it difficult to gather information. Magee highlights the society's hotline and encourages readers to spread the word. She also mentions the return of long-term members and introduces Judith McGinness as a new investigator.

On The UFO Trail

Paul Norman's article, "On The UFO Trail," contrasts Australian ground marks with English crop circles, suggesting the latter are more sophisticated. He discusses the White Acres case and notes similarities between patterns on pale yellow UFOs and English crop circles. Norman also touches on erratic compass activity reported near crop circles and imprints, attributing it to powerful magnetic fields. He recounts an experience in England with BUFORA's investigator Bob Digby, where a magnetic polarity reversal was detected. An experiment in the Grampians in December 2002 is also mentioned.

Norman describes his observations in the Grampians, noting glowing objects that respond to flashing lights but are threatened by red laser pointers. He mentions new observers with telescopes and cameras in the Grampians. He also shares personal anecdotes about encounters with kangaroos and the challenging terrain of the region. The article suggests that the local Aboriginal people might hold historical information about UFO activity.

Does ET See Earth As A Wildlife Reserve

Terence Dickinson, editor of Skynews magazine, discusses the widespread belief in extraterrestrial life. He cites a poll indicating that 70% of Canadians believe intelligent extraterrestrials inhabit other worlds. Dickinson argues that while the vastness of the universe supports the idea of life elsewhere, he is skeptical about aliens visiting Earth, suggesting that Earth might be considered a 'wildlife preserve' by extraterrestrials who have chosen to keep their distance. He dismisses alien abduction stories and crop circles as credible evidence of visitation.

Grampians 'Hot Spot' For UFOs

This article by Nathan Anderson identifies the Grampians as a 'hot spot' for UFO sightings. Paul Norman reports on frequent sightings in the National Park, with up to 20 objects seen at once. Steve Swanwick, a UFO watcher from Stawell, describes a 'big white glow' followed by a smaller yellow one and then 35-40 red lights. He notes that the objects appear to be communicating and responding to signals. Swanwick also sent footage of an object to the US, which was identified as a UFO. Objects have been observed to hover for extended periods or move with great speed.

The White-Acres Encounter

This report by Pat Gildea details a classic UFO encounter on September 30, 1980, near Sale, Victoria. George Blackwell, a property station-hand, witnessed a domed-shaped object, approximately 6 feet off the ground, land on the property. The object emitted a whistling sound and blue and orange light. It was estimated to be 10 feet high and 26 feet long. After landing, it left a circular brown ring, approximately 30 feet in diameter, with six half spokes. The grass was 'poisoned' rather than burnt. The report also notes a discrepancy in the witness's statement and mentions a secondary witness, Kelly Postle, who saw a pink ball of fire.

UFO Wave Predicted

This section features a prediction by Donald A. Johnson, Ph.D., based on UFOCAT database analysis, of a worldwide UFO wave in March 2003, with a peak between March 15 and March 25. The wave was expected to involve Northern Europe and the Pacific Ocean. Johnson aimed to make this prediction public well in advance.

The Early Years

Compiled by Clive Yates, this section presents selected reports from magazines published in the 1950s and 1960s. It includes a report from Melbourne in March 1957 about a 'UFO-scope' built by Lance Read to detect magnetic fields associated with flying saucers. Another report from Nome, Alaska, in February 1960, details NORAD's confirmation of UFO sightings, described as two silver tubular objects. The Air Force initially attributed these to meteors.

International Sighting Reports

This extensive section compiles numerous UFO sighting reports from various locations, including:

• Maine, USA: A large, silent UFO with green, pink, and yellow lights.
• New York, USA: Three triangular objects with lights on each corner observed in Albany.
• Pennsylvania, USA: A huge diamond-shaped craft seen in Pittsburgh.
• Middlesex Township, USA: An oval-shaped object lifting into the sky.
• Maryland, USA: A sphere with strange lights, described as revolving.
• Virginia, USA: A cigar-shaped UFO that caused a car to stall and then restart on its own.
• North Carolina, USA: A triangular formation of three bright lights observed in Charlotte.
• Georgia, USA: A brilliant white light observed in Lilburn.
• Lagrange, USA: An unusual 'slow-glow' type of light observed.
• Alabama, USA: Two egg-shaped objects with lights observed moving in a 'Z' pattern.
• Minnesota, USA: A disk-shaped craft that changed colours.
• Iowa, USA: A hovering object with lights, and another similar object.
• Missouri, USA: A bright flashing light that moved unbelievably.
• Kansas, USA: Disk-shaped crafts photographed in Wichita.
• Oklahoma, USA: A silver/black cigar-like object observed.
• Colorado, USA: A teardrop-shaped UFO observed circling.
• California, USA: Two black triangles observed by a private pilot.
• Spring Valley, USA: A bright orange-reddish light observed.
• Burbank, USA: Two orange/red orbs observed.
• Burbank, USA: Six moving stars forming patterns.
• Italy: Reports indicate 2002 was a record-setting year for UFO sightings.
• Lebanon: Two unidentified objects, saucer and oval shaped, seen over Beirut.
• South Africa: A craft followed a satellite and vanished.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, the analysis of physical evidence from encounters, and the global nature of UFO phenomena. The publication maintains a stance of open investigation into unusual phenomena, encouraging reports and sharing information with other organizations. There is a clear interest in distinguishing between misidentifications and genuine unexplained events, with an emphasis on detailed observation and evidence collection. The society appears to be actively involved in research and public dissemination of UFO-related information.

Title: AUSTRALIAN UFO BULLETIN
Issue: 208
Volume: 2002
Date: October-November 2002
Publisher: The Victorian U.F.O. Research Society
Country: Australia
Language: English

The Strangers Among Us

This feature article by John E. Schroeder of the UFO Enigma, October 2002, details an event that occurred on May 16, 1970, in St. Louis, Missouri. The narrative focuses on interviews with five people who encountered 'Unidentified Friendly Persons' (UFPs), distinct from UFOs. Schroeder emphasizes that while no direct link to flying objects was established, the event presents significant mysteries.

The incident began with a call from Dorothy Simpson, a member of the UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis, who asked Schroeder to come to a high-rise motel. She, along with the Night Manager, had stayed after their shift to recount their experience. The story is corroborated by the Bell Hop, an Hispanic man, the Restaurant Hostess, and a Waitress.

The four strangers arrived unnoticed around 10:30 p.m. on Friday, May 15, 1970. The Night Clerk first noticed them when a whistling sigh drew her attention. She saw four tiny people, none taller than the four-foot desk. Initially thinking they were dwarfs or midgets, she revised her assessment due to their perfectly proportioned bodies and unique features. The group consisted of a man with black hair, a woman with long blond hair, and two children (one boy, one girl), all appearing remarkably similar, leading the Night Clerk to question if they were 'clones'.

The man, estimated to be four feet tall, his wife three feet ten inches, and the children three feet two inches, were dressed in dark suits (man and boy) and pastel peach dresses (mother and daughter). Their hair was described as uniformly straight, long, and without mid-tones or highlights, resembling 'Dynel' wigs.

When asked if they needed a room, the man, identified as 'A. Bell', spoke in a falsetto voice requesting accommodation. Upon being told the price, he appeared confused and paid with a large roll of currency, consisting of crisp, new bills of large denominations. The Night Clerk, suspicious of counterfeits, tested the money and found it to be genuine.

Due to their small stature, the Night Clerk filled out the reservation form for them. She noted their unusual facial features: wide at eye level, thinning abruptly to the chin, with large, dark, slightly slanted eyes, minimal nose bridges, tiny lipless mouths, and uniformly pale complexions, varying from pearl to pale pink to light grey. These characteristics led Dorothy to question if they were human.

The man signed the registration card awkwardly, using two fingers and thumb, in a manner resembling a child.

In the restaurant, the 'family' ordered milk and peas. The man ordered a small steak. They ate with extreme care, using straws for liquids and meticulously picking up single peas with their knives, inhaling them into their small mouths without apparent chewing. The only sound was a soft sucking noise. They did not converse or comment on the food.

After eating, they stopped abruptly and left a twenty-dollar tip. The Waitress, confused by their behavior and lack of understanding, noted they 'didn't know any better'.

The Bell Hop assisted them with their luggage and took them to their room. The family was initially hesitant to enter the elevator but eventually complied. The Bell Hop demonstrated the television, but the man reacted with alarm, shouting, 'I told you not. It will hurt the children's eyes!' He seemed so upset that the Bell Hop retreated without collecting a tip.

Subsequent investigation by John E. Schroeder found no UFO reports correlating with the night of the sighting. However, the witnesses agreed that the family bore a strong resemblance to the 'space creatures' depicted in the Barney and Betty Hill book, 'Interrupted Journey'. Schroeder, despite the witnesses consulting on Saturday morning, concluded that collusion was unlikely due to the consistent nature of their accounts and believed no hoax was perpetrated.

Victorian Sighting Reports

This section compiles numerous UFO sighting reports from various locations in Victoria, Australia, primarily from late 2002 and early 2003.

Golden Bay, NZ (January 1999): A sighting of a large, round, clear light moving erratically overhead, disappearing suddenly. Several small white hovering lights and aeroplanes were also seen.

• Reids Lookout, The Grampians, Vic. (October 2002):
• 07th October, 08:30 p.m.: A yellow-white fuzzy ball of light was observed moving southeastward, appearing as an orange disc with a defined perimeter.
• 27th September, 11:00 p.m.: A mother and her two children observed a bright flash of orange light.
• 29th October, 10:30 p.m.: Multiple bright golden-yellow and orange lights were observed rising from Horsham city lights, exhibiting lateral movement and varying in size and color. Six lights were seen, some circular, others elongated.

• Ballarat, Vic. (December 2002):
• 07th December, 11:20 p.m.: Brilliant white flashes of light were observed approaching from the west, followed by a 90-degree turn to the south.
• 22nd December, 12:20 a.m.: A yellow object with a flashing white light was observed moving silently in a straight line, then slowing, accelerating, and wobbling.
• 21st December, 11:25 p.m.: A yellow light was observed moving silently in a straight line, then slowing, accelerating, and wobbling.

Seaford, Vic. (25th December 2002): Three medium star luminescence white objects were observed in an equilateral triangle formation, moving silently northward.

North Croydon, Vic. (01 January 2003): Two clear weather sightings involving 4 to 5 minute duration and a single observer's 5 to 7 minute sighting of lights.

Whittlesea, Victoria (October 2002): A yellowish light was observed floating high, then reappearing behind the observer and following her home for about half an hour.

General Observations: Many reports describe lights with no sound, moving at high speeds, and exhibiting unusual maneuvers. Some sightings involved multiple objects, while others described single, distinct phenomena. The relative sizes of objects were often compared to stars or moon diameters.

Queensland Sighting Reports

This section details UFO sightings reported in Queensland and surrounding areas.

Cairns (09 September 2002): Three objects were observed converging into a single line of travel for five minutes before separating and moving in different directions at high speed. Seven witnesses reported the incident, and the Cairns Port Authority had also received reports.

Coorparoo, Brisbane (14 September 2002): A rectangular-shaped green object was seen to 'drop out of the sky' and disappear below the horizon. It was described as neon green and glowing.

Kempsey (29 September 2002): A red mushroom-shaped object was reported hovering over trees on a property. It was described as approximately 15 feet long and bigger than stars. The police were contacted multiple times.

Shailer Park (03 October 2002): A 14-year-old youth reported an orange light moving overhead, which dimmed and brightened several times. His mother and friends also observed it.

Rochedale South (14 October 2002): Two other orange glowing lights were observed traveling overhead, followed by three more objects. These were described as brighter than stars and traveling in a straight line.

Manly (15 October 2002): A flashing light, initially white with occasional red flashes, was observed moving north, then northwest, then west. It was described as moving much faster than a plane and at a high altitude.

Rochedale (15 October 2002): Orange-colored objects were observed in the sky, with one disappearing and another appearing. One object was approximately 8 km away to the north.

Fernvale (22 October 2002): A dark shadow object passed overhead, stopped, and displayed six bright lights on its underside in a regular pattern. It then revealed itself as a huge box-shaped object about 200 feet by 100 feet by 30 feet before veering left and shooting off to the west.

Northern NSW (18 September 2002): A bright white light, similar in size and brightness to Venus, was observed traveling north at twice the height of aircraft. It later changed to a dark red color before accelerating and vanishing.

Adelaide (01 October 2002): A red glowing translucent 'cloud' was observed directly above the hills, described as the size of a football at arm's length, with beams of light projecting upward and outward.

Society History

This section provides a brief history of the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society (VUFOS). The earliest UFO group in Australia was the "Australian Flying Saucer Bureau" in the early 1950s. Over time, various organizations emerged and merged, including the "Australian Flying Saucer Research Society" and the "Australian U.F.O. Investigation Centre." The "Australian Flying Saucer Research Society (Victorian Branch)" was formed on February 17, 1957, and later became the "Victorian Flying Saucer Research Society" and eventually the "Victorian U.F.O. Research Society." The Society has published various papers, including the Australian Flying Saucer Review and the Australian U.F.O. Bulletin. They also sponsored a radio program. In 1978, a new executive took control, and the Society has maintained a dispassionate attitude towards UFOs, viewing them as a scientific problem. They also maintained the largest UFO library in the Southern Hemisphere, though this service had to be discontinued due to postage costs. Membership is open to anyone genuinely interested in the subject.

Other Sections

• Discussion Evening: Details of upcoming discussion evenings hosted by the International Committee for U.F.O. Research, including dates, times, and fees.
• Subscription Rates: Information on subscription rates for V.U.F.O.R.S. memberships, offering different levels of access to magazines and meeting entries.
• Summer Moon Illusion: A brief explanation of the 'moon illusion,' a phenomenon where the moon appears larger when near the horizon.
• Did You Know?: Contact information for reporting UFO sightings to VUFORS, including a hotline number, email address, and website.
• Interested In a New UFO Book?: Information on two UFO-related books: "What We Have Learned About UFO Repetitions" and "Human Reactions to UFOs and UFOnauts Worldwide" by George Fawcett, and "Close Encounters of the Fifth Kind" by Dr. Richard Haines.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings reported from various locations in Australia and New Zealand, with a particular focus on detailed accounts from Victoria and Queensland. The article "The Strangers Among Us" stands out by presenting a case of alleged encounters with non-human entities rather than traditional UFOs, emphasizing the 'strangeness' and unresolved mysteries. The publication also highlights the historical aspects of UFO research in Australia through the history of the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society, demonstrating a commitment to documenting and investigating UFO phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting witness accounts and historical information without overt skepticism or sensationalism, encouraging readers to consider UFOs as a scientific problem.