Disclosure Australia (AURA) - No 03 - Aug 2003

Magazine Overview

Title: DISCLOSURE AUSTRALIA
Issue: Newsletter Three
Date: August 2003
Publisher: Australian UFO Research Network
Country: Australia
Language: English

This issue of the "Disclosure Australia" newsletter, published by the Australian UFO Research Network, focuses on the ongoing "Disclosure Australia Project" and provides updates on government document searches and UFO sighting reports.

Government Document Search Update

The newsletter reports on the progress of a government document search, initiated as advised in a previous newsletter. The search is being conducted using records held by the National Archives of Australia (NAA). The initial list of thirty relevant files has expanded to forty-nine following more extensive keyword searches. Digital copies of several files have been located, and readers are directed to the NAA website (www.naa.gov.au) to access these files by using the provided series numbers or control symbols. The Secretariat is also in the process of ordering copies of remaining files, preferably in digital format, though the NAA advises a two-month processing delay for digital copies.

The search has identified files containing the words "Operation ‘Flying Saucer’", which were initially pursued but later deemed not relevant to the core search. One such file dealt with a RAAF defence readiness exercise involving aircraft "attacking" and "defending" Sydney, with the reason for the operation's name remaining unexplained.

The Secretariat emphasizes that this archive search is the first step in a lengthy process, aiming for thoroughness even if it means revisiting previously searched ground, to inform a new generation of UFO researchers.

Woomera, South Australia: UFO Reports

A significant portion of the newsletter is dedicated to reporting on UFO observations made at Woomera, South Australia, based on an examination of file number D174 (control symbol SA 5281) from the National Archives of Australia, covering the period 1952-1955. The file contains 25 pages of observations.

Key incidents detailed from file D174 include:

• April 28, 1952: Observations of an object previously known from AFSRS Magazine.
• September 27, 1952: A sighting described as a "cigar," "airship," or "cylindrical" object moving horizontally, with two portholes and internal lighting.
• October 8, 1952: An invisible target tracked by radar at heights between 1500 and 5600 feet, with smaller targets appearing to detach. This classified "Secret" report was previously known from a 1954 Turner report.
• November 14, 1953: A sighting of a "glare" believed to be an aircraft.
• May 5, 1954: A radar/visual observation of an object. This event is described in detail, involving a radar target observed at approximately 60,000 yards range, travelling at an estimated 3600 mph. A visual observation by a second witness described a perfectly circular, dark grey, translucent object, similar in apparent size to a Canberra bomber, which appeared stationary over the bomber's flight path before disappearing.
• October 21, 1954: A report of a "dancing light" observed near a launcher apron, with its colour varying from deep orange to deep yellow.
• July 20, 1959: A "bright orange-coloured flying object" observed at the Woomera rocket range, not associated with range firings. It was described as travelling almost horizontally and very fast, appearing to break into three parts.
• Late 1950s: An unusual, bright light was observed near a missile site, travelling at high speed towards the range head, orbiting buildings, and then climbing away steeply.
• June 5, 1964: A photograph taken during a Blue Streak rocket launch shows an oval blob of light near the rocket.
• June 8, 1966: An object with a light intensity equivalent to a 200 watt bulb at 200 yards was seen, leaving a blue-green trail.
• June 9, 1966: An object with a jet-like sound was seen, white in colour, trailing a bluish-green colour, travelling rapidly.
• 1966/1967: Reports of at least three groups seeing UFOs, with one large object hovering low.
• November 30, 1968: Two lights were observed, with a smaller black object leaving the parent craft and speeding off.
• December 20, 1971: An unidentified "aircraft" was observed over Woomera prohibited air space, raising concerns due to a lack of official knowledge.
• June 21, 1997: A green object was seen moving N to S at 15 degrees elevation.
• September 5, 2002: A brilliant sky object, initially a flash, became a green/yellow ball travelling overhead, leaving a trail and accompanied by noises.

Project Lost Ball

The newsletter discusses "Project Lost Ball," related to reports of "mystery spherical objects" found in Australia. An article from "Flying Saucer Review" in 1964 detailed findings of such objects in New South Wales and South Australia between April and July 1963. The first sphere, found on April 8, 1963, weighed 5.5kg, was hollow, and 35.5cm in diameter. A second sphere weighed 8kg and was 41cm across, found on June 28, 1963. A third was 15cm across, found on July 12. Despite a statement from the Federal Minister of Supply, Allen Fairhall, that inquiries to American and Russian space agencies failed to determine their origins, it is generally believed these were parts of man-made satellites that survived atmospheric re-entry.

Reference is also made to the Joint Intelligence Organisation (JIO) maintaining a secret "BOLIDE file" related to the possibility of retrieving Soviet hardware. A West Australian UFO report mentioned "Project Lost Ball" and the Federal Government Department of Supply in relation to satellite re-entry.

South Australian Reports Listing 1932-2003

The Secretariat has compiled a listing of South Australian UFO reports for the period 1932-2003. This listing, available in MS Word format, is extensive (over 60 A4 pages when printed) and has been placed on the Disclosure Australia website. The aim is to collect a significant percentage of known reports in one place for analysis. Interstate groups are encouraged to undertake similar compilation projects.

Ideas Rolling Action List

An "Ideas rolling action list" is in use to track ongoing projects and ideas. Current items include:

1. Access to state-level Police UFO records: Sheryl G. is researching the availability of these records.
2. Queensland Police Records: A number of people are following up their state's police records.
3. South Australia Patrol Logs: Advice from SAPOL suggests using a PD360 form for record searches, costing $22.30 plus labour fees.

Readers are invited to contribute to any items on this list.

Acknowledgements

Special thanks are extended to Mark Moravec for submitting results of a survey of Australian UFO groups and investigators, and to Bill Chalker for his comments on the initial government files search. Others on the AUFORN e-mail discussion list who asked clarifying questions are also acknowledged.

Contact Information

Contact details for the Secretariat are provided, including snail mail address (PO Box 786, North Adelaide, South Australia 5006), e-mail ([email protected]), telephone (041 141 75 94), and website addresses (http://disclosure.freewebpage.org, http://aura.freewebpage.org).

Attachment One: Listing of Known UFO Reports from Woomera SA

This attachment provides a detailed chronological listing of UFO reports from Woomera, SA, from April 1952 to September 2002, with brief descriptions of each sighting, including date, time, number of witnesses, type of observation (visual, radar, etc.), and source references.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes the "Disclosure Australia Project" and the efforts of the Australian UFO Research Network and Association to uncover and disseminate information regarding UFO phenomena, particularly through the examination of government archives. There is a clear emphasis on meticulous research, the compilation of historical data, and encouraging public participation. The editorial stance is one of serious inquiry into unexplained aerial phenomena, advocating for transparency and the sharing of information within the UFO research community and with the public. The recurring theme is the systematic investigation of UFO reports, with a particular focus on Australian cases and official documentation.