Australian UFO Bulletin - 2004 09 - September

Magazine Overview

Title: THE AUSTRALIAN U.F.O. BULLETIN
Issue: September 2004
Publisher: Victorian U.F.O. Research Society
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of The Australian U.F.O. Bulletin, dated September 2004, is the ninth volume published by the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society (VUFORS). The cover features a striking graphic of a space shuttle and two flying saucers against a starry, dark background, with the prominent title "U.F.O." and the issue date.

Editorial and Society Information

The editorial, written by President Judith Magee, highlights the ongoing influx of UFO reports, making the subject increasingly fascinating. She encourages readers to engage with the material, particularly an article by Jacqui Purtell on photographic equipment for UFO observation. Magee also mentions recent widespread sightings around Strathmore and surrounding suburbs on August 23rd, characterized by orange, green, and bluey-red lights forming a diamond shape. The editorial promises follow-up reports in the December 2004 issue.

The "Welcome" section introduces VUFORS as an organization that collects and evaluates reports of unusual phenomena, maintaining strict confidence. They exchange information with similar Australian and overseas groups and disseminate findings through their quarterly bulletin. Contact information, including an email address ([email protected]) and web page (http://www.ozemail.com.au/~vufors), is provided.

The "Office Bearers" list details the key personnel of VUFORS, including Judith Magee (President), Clive Yates (Vice-President & Treasurer), Tony Cook (Secretary), Paul Norman (Public Relations & Investigations), Gary Wing (Membership Secretary), James Owen (Research Officer), Bernard Wilson (Scientific Advisor), and Ric Wilson (Aviation Consultant & Coordinator). Regional representatives are also listed.

A "Copyright" notice reminds readers that all material is subject to strict copyright and cannot be reproduced without written consent.

A "Membership Renewal" section prompts members to check their address label for renewal information.

Featured Articles

"The Evolution Of A Camera" by Jacqui Purtell

This article details the author's journey in attempting to photograph anomalous aerial objects. Purtell describes her initial attempts using a second-hand Olympus 35 mm OM-1 camera and a borrowed tripod, emphasizing the need for a cable release for timed exposures, especially at night. She discusses her preference for 1600 ASA film, though settling for 800 ASA due to availability. Purtell then describes upgrading her equipment by modifying a telescope (a Meade Instruments Schmidt-Cassegrain with a 203 mm aperture and 2000 mm focal length) to function as a terrestrial telephoto camera. She notes the challenges of photographing objects at night, their movement, and varying luminosity. Purtell also mentions using a Sony security CCD digital surveillance video camera and a VHS domestic video recorder, powered by a sine-wave inverter.

She recounts an experience in the Grampians where she observed lights and attempted to elicit a response by flashing her spotlight, causing the object to blink out. Purtell also mentions the ongoing UFO activity in the Grampians, which has been occurring almost daily, except for a period possibly related to a June 2003 jet overflight. She notes that sightings are concentrated in valleys adjacent to Reids Lookout. The article touches upon a past sighting of a large rectangular object in the Wartook Valley and speculates about potential reasons for the activity, possibly related to the area's gravity irrigation system. The use of a magnetometer and Geiger-counter for monitoring local magnetic environments and radiation is also mentioned. Purtell concludes by discussing the difficulty of capturing compelling photographic evidence, often resulting in images of indistinct lights that may not impress the general public.

"On The UFO Trail" by Paul Norman

Paul Norman recounts his experiences in the Grampians during early July. He describes observing UFO activity, noting it was less active than before a June 2003 jet overflight. On July 5th, he witnessed a large object glowing with a bright white light. After observing it for 30 minutes, he drove closer and flashed his spotlight, causing the object to disappear. Norman intends to return to Reids Lookout to continue his experiments and record UFO responses, noting that daily activity has been occurring for three years, with a break possibly caused by the jet overflight. He mentions that sightings are concentrated in specific valleys near Reids Lookout and recalls a report from about ten years prior of a large rectangular object flying back and forth in the Wartook Valley. Norman also discusses the use of a magnetometer and Geiger-counter for monitoring UFO activity in the Grampians, relating the magnetometer's use to past investigations of crop circles in the UK and erratic compass behavior in Australia.

International Sighting Reports

This section compiles numerous UFO sighting reports from various locations around the world, primarily from August 2004:

• ISS Spacewalk (August 3, 2004): Two UFOs were sighted during an EVA from the International Space Station. One traveled at a 45-degree angle, and the other moved horizontally before the live feed was cut.
• New York - Giant Flying Wing (August 12, 2004): An architect, Laurence Owen, reported seeing a large V-shaped craft hovering above the Hudson River, described as twice the size of commercial aircraft, with lights on its perimeter.
• Queens, New York (August 7, 2004): Three to four silver objects, resembling balloons, were seen, followed by three yellow lights in formation. These lights were described as resembling airplane lights but with an incorrect color.
• Cape May, New Jersey (August 3, 2004): A couple witnessed a neon-blue disk with thousands of illuminated white lights on the bottom, which moved extremely fast.
• South Plainfield, New Jersey (July 29, 2004): A small black cone, point down, was observed suspended in the air over Middlesex Mall.
• Allentown, Pennsylvania (July 29, 2004): A disk-like object was photographed next to a helicopter.
• Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina (August 1, 2004): Three to four objects were seen dancing in a triangle pattern with pulsing lights.
• Vero Beach, Florida (July 29, 2004): A bright white sphere of light transformed into three smaller lights, hovered, and then moved away.
• Baxter, Tennessee (August 9, 2004): A very bright, pulsating star-like object rose from the horizon, held its position, and then shot westward at high speed.
• Albuquerque, New Mexico (August 3, 2004): A shiny silver sphere was observed flying over a mountain top, stopping, hovering, and then disappearing into a cloud.
• Mojave, California (July 27, 2004): A diamond-shaped object was seen moving rapidly, slowing down, and then shooting north.
• Palm Springs, California (July 28, 2004): A bright object emitted colored orbs (green, red, blue) that pulsed and moved.
• Seattle, Washington (July 30, 2004): Four yellow-orange lights in a triangular formation were observed flying southwest without noise.
• Saskatoon, Canada (July 30, 2004): A smoke ring with a grey dot in the center was observed, which gradually dissipated.
• Port Colborne, Canada (August 1, 2004): A strange cigar-shaped object with rectangular wings was observed moving slowly at low altitude.
• Progreso, Mexico (August 1, 2004): Residents reported a mysterious cloud with a light that appeared and vanished over a five-hour period.
• Brazil - UFO On Phone Camera (August 3, 2004): A silver, cylinder-like object was photographed hovering above the ground, emitting a sound.
• Glasgow, Scotland (July 27, 2004): A large, silent, rectangular object with rounded corners was seen, with white patches moving across its surface.
• Bristol, England (July 31, 2004): A glowing object, shaped like a coke can standing on end, was observed moving slowly.
• Russian Saw UFO In Space: Soviet astronaut Vladimir Kovalenok reported seeing a strange object in space from the Salyut orbital station, which later exploded. He noted that radiation emissions were registered on Earth the day of the sighting.

Victorian Sighting Reports

This section details recent UFO sightings reported to VUFORS within Victoria:

• Glenroy, Vic. (August 23, 2004): Six small, bright orange lights were seen moving silently in a southerly direction, forming two perfect triangles.
• Strathmore, Vic. (August 23, 2004): Six bright star-like orange lights were observed at an elevation of about 60 degrees, moving in formation, and later forming a diamond shape.
• Maryborough, Vic. (August 12, 2004): A triangular object was seen moving upward, then horizontally, and finally gaining speed as it headed west, emitting a loud humming sound.
• Unley, SA (July 31, 2004): Many small white circular objects, arranged in pairs in a larger circular pattern, were observed rotating rapidly in an anti-clockwise direction, with intermittent disappearances.
• Geelong, Vic. (July 29, 2004): A brilliant white object with an orange tail was observed moving slowly and disappearing.
• Norlane, Vic. (June 28, 2004): A small white star-like object was seen stationary above a fence line, changing color from white to pink and back again. The observer also reported experiencing a beeping sound in her ear.
• Mooroolbark, Vic. (June 13, 2004): A bright luminous object, about the size of a fifty cent coin at arm's length, was seen entering the field of vision from the southwest.
• Liverpool, NSW (August 1, 2004): Two bright fireballs were observed, followed by five bright lights moving in different directions. These lights descended, losing brightness, and then fell rapidly.

The Early Years

Compiled by Clive Yates, this section presents selected reports from magazines published in the 1950s and 1960s:

• Gunnison, Colorado (June 27, 1961): An oval or rounded, silvery object was observed above a mountain pass, disappearing and reappearing at high speed. An Air Force plane appeared shortly after.
• Akron, Ohio (July 06, 1961): An unidentified flying object, described as a brilliant green and white light, was seen suspended and performing a 180-degree turn. A similar light was also observed approaching Cleveland Hopkins Airport and was detected on radar.
• Bloemfontein, South Africa (July 06, 1968): An unidentified flying object, resembling a circular cloud in a cloudless sky, was witnessed by many people. Information about this sighting was reportedly confidential.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the reporting and investigation of UFO sightings, with a particular emphasis on recent events from August 2004 across Australia and internationally. The magazine also delves into the technical aspects of UFO observation, as highlighted in "The Evolution Of A Camera," and revisits historical cases. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry and detailed documentation of phenomena, encouraging public participation in reporting sightings. There is a clear effort to provide a comprehensive overview of UFO activity, from contemporary reports to historical accounts and international incidents.

Title: The Australian U.F.O. Bulletin
Issue: Volume 11, Issue 1
Date: April - May 2004
Publisher: Victorian U.F.O. Research Society
Country: Australia

This issue of The Australian U.F.O. Bulletin is primarily dedicated to cataloging numerous UFO sighting reports, with a significant focus on "Victorian Sighting Reports" and "Western Australian Sighting Reports." It also includes a section on "Queensland Sighting Reports" and brief mentions of sightings in the USA and Canada, along with a historical overview of UFO research in Australia and a scientific note on Stephen Hawking's theories.

Victorian Sighting Reports

This section details several sightings from Victoria:

• Hawthorn East, Vic. (08 June 2004, 11:50 p.m.): A very bright amber coloured fireball-like light was seen streaking across the sky for two seconds.
• Whitfield, Vic. (End of Winter 1954/55, 09:00 p.m.): A clearly visible UFO hovered over a farm for a considerable time and then departed sideways at incredible speed. The witness, now 65, is reporting this sighting after many years.

Western Australian Sighting Reports

This is the most extensive section, documenting a large number of sightings from Western Australia, mostly from 2002 to 2004:

• South Lakes, WA (15 Dec 2003, 08:23 p.m.): A large diamond-shaped craft with four dull orange lights was observed travelling fast and silently. The witness also recalled a ball lightning experience in Weymouth, UK.
• Doubleview, WA (20 Nov 2003, 09:00 p.m.): A huge, elongated object, described as 'as big as a bus' with porthole-like windows, emitted blue electrical discharges. The witness, a self-proclaimed sceptic, was shaken by the event.
• Kingsley, WA (11 Oct 2003, 03:45 a.m.): Two witnesses reported a huge red object spiralling to the ground without sound.
• Esperance, WA (27 Aug 2003, 07:00 p.m. - 07:20 p.m.): A single red and white light moved erratically over the airport before rising straight up and disappearing. No reports were seen in local newspapers.
• Craigie, WA (05 Jul 2003, 10:00 p.m. - 10:20 p.m.): A mushroom-shaped object with a blue flame was reported.
• Between Geraldton and Carnarvon, WA (03 Jul 2003, 05:30 p.m.): A stationary, cigar-shaped object over the ocean was seen, followed by a flash and rapid movement west.
• 110 km north of Geraldton, WA (03 Jul 2003, 05:30 p.m.): A stationary, cigar-shaped object was observed for seven minutes, then shot off to the west at great speed. The witness, a claimed abductee, later discussed UFOs with Aboriginal men who confirmed frequent activity in the area.
• Forrestfield, WA (19 May 2003, 09:30 p.m.): A star-like object moved erratically, up and down, and side to side, stopping frequently. The witness attempted to film it but was unsuccessful.
• Ascot, Garratt Road Bridge, WA (18 Feb 2003, 07:45 p.m.): Two orange lights were seen moving from north to south, changing position and one fading out.
• Kardinya, WA (03 Mar 2003, 08:15 p.m. and 05 Mar 2003, 08:05 p.m.): A very bright white light, larger than Venus, was observed moving south and dimming. Two days later, a white starlike object appeared, brightened, then dimmed to a pinprick. The witness, a former air force member, was certain it was not a conventional aircraft.
• Joondalup, WA (03 Feb 2003, 08:00 p.m.): Up to seven lights, one red and others white, were seen moving in a very odd manner at high speed.
• Oawesville Cut, Mandurah, WA (22 Jan 2003, 08:00 p.m.): A bright starlike object flew in from the west, moved erratically, and disappeared.
• Waikiki, Rockingham, WA (01 Jan 2003, 12:30 a.m.): An oval object resembling a bloated worm with an orange glow and appendages was observed travelling slowly.
• Kelmscott, WA (25 Sep 2002, 09:00 p.m.): Three orange balls of light travelled in a straight line, silent and the size of Venus.
• Leeming, WA (18 Sep 2002, 11:30 p.m.): Seven bright orange lights were seen moving about, changing formation and speed. One headed north at about 200 knots.
• Belmont, WA (28 Aug 2002, 07:30 p.m.): Two red lights, side by side, rapidly separated and came back together several times before disappearing.
• Armadale, Kelmscott, Gosnells and Maddington, WA (27 Aug 2002, 08:00 p.m. - 08:20 p.m.): Ten callers reported five orange balls of light moving slowly, disappearing rapidly, and forming X or Z patterns. Witnesses ruled out hot-air balloons.
• Safety Bay, Rockingham, WA (23 Aug 2002, 09:00 p.m.): A very bright, silent, orange light hovered over the ocean, described as an incandescent street lamp with a smaller red light on top and tiny lights around it.
• Kelmscott, WA (22 Aug 2002, 08:25 p.m.): Three bright orange lights travelled in a straight line, evenly spaced, with one light disappearing as the others climbed higher.
• Gosnells, WA (17 Aug 2002, 10:00 p.m.): Four bright orange lights were seen, initially in a stack, then forming a straight line, moving, and disappearing.
• Armadale, WA (16 Aug 2002, 09:30 p.m.): Two bright orange lights and a third brighter light travelled towards witnesses, then hovered before moving away.
• Beverley, WA (10 Aug 2002, 05:15 a.m.): A brilliant white star-like object hovered, moved north, and faded out. The witness, a pilot, was convinced it was not a conventional aircraft.
• Armadale, WA (03 Aug 2002, 11:15 p.m.): Two bright orange lights at tree top height moved together, climbing and moving in zigzag jumps.
• Kewdale, WA (02 Aug 2002, 08:30 p.m.): A bright, red-orange light, described as a sphere rising up as if on fire, moved northeasterly and faded out.
• Armadale, WA (02 Aug 2002, 10:30 p.m.): Two witnesses watched a single, very bright orange light moving west to east, stopping for ten minutes before moving into clouds.
• Huntingdale, WA (25 Jul 2002, 09:30 p.m.): Two orange, starlike objects travelled from west to east, passing over witnesses and fading out.
• Huntingdale, WA (24 Jul 2002, 08:30 p.m.): Three bright, starlike lights were seen in a triangular formation, equally spaced, travelling northeasterly. The lights formed a diagonal line and then the bottom two faded out.
• Huntingdale, WA (24 Jul 2002, 08:30 p.m.): A group of three people reported four lights travelling from east to northeast in a Southern Cross formation, with the bottom two lights fading out.
• Kelmscott, WA (21 Jul 2002, 06:30 p.m.): Two bright, orange coloured lights were seen heading SE from the NW, stopping and moving erratically. The witness noted the absence of conventional aircraft lights.
• Gosnells, Kelmscott, Armadale, WA (16 Jul 2002, 06:15 p.m. - 06:30 p.m.): Six callers reported three orange balls of light travelling west to east in a triangular formation, then changing to a straight line. Two lights moved south, and one turned red before fading.
• Kelmscott, WA (16 Jul 2002): Stuart of Kelmscott reported lights flying west to east, then changing direction to the south. Other reports from Darren and Tyler mentioned lights flying between 3,000 and 5,000 feet, stopping for up to six minutes.
• Armadale, WA (03 Jul 2002, 06:50 p.m.): A very bright, pale orange light travelled from northwest to southeast, possibly at 3,000 feet, with flashes of red light. The witness was adamant it was not a conventional plane or hot-air balloon.
• Parklands Caravan Park, Mandurah, WA (26 Jun 2002, 06:15 p.m.): A glow emerged from trees, forming a vertically aligned crucifix shape with a large orange light on top and lines of pearls below.
• Kelmscott, WA (24 Jun 2002, 08:15 p.m.): Two very bright, orange-red lights travelled silently from west to northeast, with one rising higher. A third light appeared later. The object's surface was described as 'swarming' like bees.

Queensland Sighting Reports

This section includes reports from various locations in Queensland:

• Brookfield (02 May 2004, 11:50 p.m.): A large light, like a bright yellow star, moved down the sky with odd lightning from its base, hovering before disappearing. A second object did the same.
• Concord West, NSW (24 April 2004, Evening): A bright yellow/orange circular object, about the size of a tennis ball, was observed burning in the sky, accompanied by a loud thunder-sounding noise.
• Fairfax, Virginia, USA (18 April 2004, Sunday Evening): A boomerang-shaped object and an accompanying object of the same shape were seen.
• Boondall (15 April 2004, 10:45 p.m.): An object in the western sky showed blue and red lights flashing on and off.
• Caboolture (15 April 2004, 05:50 p.m.): A star-like object travelled from north to south, brightening, fading, and disappearing. Its speed was estimated to be three to four times faster than a jet.
• Castle Hill, Townsville (31 March 2004, Wednesday 07:15 p.m.): An object described as a "massive ball" was orange with a small tail, moving towards Harvey's Range.
• Mt Cotton (30 March 2004, Tuesday 01:00 a.m. - 01:30 a.m.): An object like a star, at about 30-45 degrees elevation, changed color and shape, appearing to spin and split into two before reintegrating. It moved lower towards the horizon.
• Hemmant (27 March 2004, Saturday 10:00 p.m.): A large pulsating white light, with two smaller pulsating lights on each side, was hovering over a reserve.
• Wagga Wagga, NSW (17 March 2004, Wednesday 08:40 p.m.): A large yellowish-bronze light was observed moving southwest, dimming and disappearing. The RAAF base reported no aircraft in the area.
• Mundingburra, Townsville (04 March 2004, Thursday 02:00 a.m.): An object flashing four distinct colors (red, green, blue, white) was observed multiple times.
• Toowoomba (26 February 2004, Thursday 04:30 a.m.): Large spots of light forming a circle, with smaller formations within, were seen spinning and darting across the sky. The objects were estimated to be at least 15 feet wide and at an altitude of roughly 800-1000 feet.
• Springfield, Virginia, USA (2003, Afternoon): Two strange cloud-like formations, circular on top with trails at their bases resembling tentacles, were observed motionless and silent.
• Byron Bay, NSW (1998, 10:00 p.m.): A bronze-colored, stingray-shaped object (no tail) was observed flying low over the beach towards the sea, without sound or visible propulsion.

Other Reports

• Winnipeg, Canada (20 April 2004): Three air traffic controllers reported seeing an unidentified flying object streak through the sky at about 09:45 p.m., flying at more than 400 km/h from west to east.

Society History

The "Victorian U.F.O. Research Society" (V.U.F.O.R.S.) has a history dating back to the early 1950s with the formation of the "Australian Flying Saucer Bureau." Over the years, the organization underwent several name changes and reorganizations, eventually becoming the V.U.F.O.R.S. The society has maintained a dispassionate, scientific approach to UFOs, held regular meetings, and maintained a large UFO library. It continues to hold quarterly meetings and welcomes interested members.

Discussion Evening & Subscription Rates

Details are provided for upcoming discussion evenings in March, June, September, and December 2004, held at The Royal Society of Victoria. Entry fees are listed for non-members, associate members, and full members. Subscription rates for V.U.F.O.R.S. membership are also detailed, including benefits like magazine access, meeting entry, and supper.

Hawking Alters Black Hole View

A brief report from The Toronto Sun (July 22, 2004) discusses Stephen Hawking's revised theories on black holes. Hawking now argues that black holes can cast out their contents, and he no longer believes they offer passage into another universe.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the sheer volume and variety of UFO sightings reported across Australia, with a particular emphasis on the detailed accounts from Western Australia. The bulletin consistently presents these reports without overt sensationalism, allowing the witness testimonies to speak for themselves. There is a clear effort to document the characteristics of the observed phenomena, including shape, color, speed, and behavior, and to note when conventional explanations are ruled out by witnesses, especially those with technical backgrounds (e.g., pilots, ex-air force personnel). The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation and documentation of UFO phenomena, encouraging public reporting and maintaining a historical record through organizations like the V.U.F.O.R.S. The inclusion of the society's history and upcoming events reinforces its role as a central hub for UFO research and discussion in Australia.