Disclosure Australia (AURA) - No 07 - Nov Pt.1 2003

Magazine Overview

Title: DISCLOSURE AUSTRALIA
Issue: NEWSLETTER SEVEN Pt.1
Date: NOVEMBER 2003
Publisher: Australian UFO Research Network
Country: Australia

This issue of Disclosure Australia Newsletter, dated November 2003, serves as an update on the ongoing efforts to uncover and analyze Australian government documents related to UFO phenomena. It combines resources from various organizations, including the Australian UFO Research Network and the Australian UFO Research Association.

Federal Government Document Search Update

RAAF Policy File

The newsletter details work on summarizing files located in the National Australian Archives. This issue focuses on file A703 554/1/30, titled "Investigation of Flying Saucers Policy," which spans the period from 1953 to 1967. While the file begins in November 1953, it offers glimpses into earlier years. A Memo dated 16 November 1953 is highlighted, forwarding a new report form for gathering details about "flying saucer" sightings, with the original pro forma issued on 17 January 1951. However, the relevant RAAF file for this earlier era has not yet been sighted by researchers. The file 554/1/30 also contains a memo from 24 October 1966, referencing four earlier files on the subject: 569/5/461, 2/25/1, 574/3/88, and 554/1/30. Three of these were classified, and a request has been submitted to locate them. The file indicates extensive correspondence between civilian UFO groups and the RAAF concerning RAAF policy and explanations for significant sightings in Australia. Notably, correspondence from Fred Stone of the Australian Flying Saucer Research Society (Adelaide) and Peter Norris of the Victorian Flying Saucer Research Society and CAPIO is mentioned.

ASIO Files

As previously mentioned in Newsletter 4, it was found that the Commonwealth Investigation Service, the precursor to ASIO, had a file on the Australian Flying Saucer Research Society in 1956. To ascertain if ASIO holds records on other civilian UFO organizations and individuals, requests have been submitted under section 40 of the Archives Act. These requests aim to determine if ASIO files contain records on a list of UFO organizations, including the Australian Flying Saucer Bureau, Australian Flying Saucer Club, Australian Flying Saucer Investigation Committee, Australian Flying Saucer Research Society, UFO Investigation Centre, Victorian Flying Saucer Research Society, Victorian UFO Research Society, Perth UFO Research Group, Queensland Flying Saucer Research Bureau, and UFO Research Queensland. The results of these searches are awaited with interest.

RAAF File Summaries

The newsletter announces that summaries of several RAAF files are attached. These include summaries for file parts 580/1/1 Part 4 (covering 1963-1965, mentioning the Nebo, Eton Ridge, and Willow Grove events), 580/1/1 Part 9, and 580/1/1 Part 10 (covering part of 1968). Part 10 includes a photograph of a "mystery sphere" found at Inkerman Station, Queensland, and mentions a US Navy Lt Commander present. It also details the 22 August 1968 Zanthus aircrew observation of a cigar-shaped UFO and six small discs over Western Australia, noting that the RAAF's summary of the event failed to mention it. A case from Darwin involving a radar visual observation by a Royal Air Force crew, where the RAAF stated the event involved an "unidentified aircraft," is also included.

RAAF UFO Reports Listing

Following previous publications of RAAF UFO reports from 580/1/1 Parts 1, 2, and 3, this newsletter includes UFO reports found on 114/1/197 and 580/1/1 Parts 9 and 10.

South Australian Police Department

An update is provided on a request submitted under the South Australian Freedom of Information Act to the South Australian Police. The request included a listing of South Australian UFO reports that were either reported to the police or where police officers were direct witnesses. The police were asked for copies of any documents relating to 16 instances within the FOI Act's date range, and any other documents related to UFO reports or internal policy on handling such reports. A response has been received, and the correspondence and case listing have been posted online.

Revelations

Volume 7, Number 4 of the "Australasian UFOlogist" features the first "Revelations" column, aimed at keeping readers updated on the Disclosure Australia Project's activities. The Disclosure Australia website is undergoing an upgrade, with sections for "What's New," previous newsletters via an archive link, file summaries, and listings of UFO reports.

Web Site Archives

The project is actively seeking any existing material, particularly original documentation, for specific cases. A list of cases is provided, including:

• 23 Aug 1953: Port Moresby - 8mm film of "silver dart."
• 15 Feb 1963: Moe, Victoria - Close encounter.
• 24 May 1965: Eton Ridge, Qld - Close encounter with trace.
• 28 May 1965: Bougainville Reef - Aircraft "buzzed" by UFO.
• 19 Jan 1966: Euramo Qld - "Nest" and close encounter.
• 6 Apr 1966: Westall, Victoria - Multi-witness disk and trace.
• 16 Nov 1967: Yerecoin, WA - Close encounter.
• 31 Aug 1969: Northern NSW - RAAF plane chases UFO.
• 22 Mar 1975: Nebo, Qld - Close encounter.
• 16 Oct 1977: Meekatharra, WA - Multi-witnessed disk.

Attachment One: Newsletter Seven Summary

This attachment provides a summary of file series A703 Control symbol 554/1/30 Part 1 from the National Australia Archives, titled "Investigation of Flying Saucers Policy." The file contains 279 pages. Key items include:

• File covers for periods 1955-1963, 1963-1965, 1965-1967, and 1967.
• A central registry cover.
• A letter dated 20 July 1955 from the US Embassy in Melbourne to DAFI, indicating USAF interest in receiving UFO reports.
• Newspaper clippings from Melbourne Age (11 Nov 1953) about RAF officers investigating 'saucer' stories.
• A Memo dated 16 November 1953 from the Chief of Air Staff to RAAF bases, introducing a new pro forma for reporting, stating it's for improving reporting standards, not due to new intelligence.
• Various minutes, letters, and draft press releases concerning RAAF policy on UFOs, including questions in the House, and requests for information from various government departments and overseas embassies.
• Extensive correspondence from 1955 to 1967 involving individuals like Fred Stone, Peter Norris, and organizations like AFSRS, VFSRS, and CAPIO, seeking information and liaison regarding UFO sightings.
• Mentions of "Project Blue Book Special Report No 14" and supplementary instructions.
• Discussions regarding the classification and potential declassification of UFO files.
• Correspondence related to specific cases like the "Ross Bartholomew" claims and the "Browning Cressy case."
• Inquiries from "World Wide" magazine.
• A statement of RAAF policy from 1 May 1959.
• Information regarding the status of NICAP in the US.
• A reference to the "Cressy case" being investigated and analyzed.

Attachment Two: Newsletter Seven Summary

This attachment summarizes file number A703 580/1/1 Part 4, titled "Reports on Flying Saucers and Other Aerial Objects," located at the National Archives of Australia. The file contains 346 pages.

Key entries include:

• A minute paper regarding the re-classification of the file to unclassified in 1982.
• A closed file notation.
• Telegram regarding a vertical light seen at Croker Island Mission in 1965.
• Telegram regarding an unknown aircraft (jet) near Mamote, Papua New Guinea in 1965.
• A RAAF Melbourne HQ letter regarding a UFO sighting by Mr. M F Brady in Victoria on 15/10/65, with a typed report describing the object as 100ft x 15ft cigar-shaped emitting green luminescence.
• A RAAF Darwin report about a sighting on 5/7/65 at Elliott by Mr. Neilson, involving a white light with a small red light on top.
• A RAAF Darwin report on an object sighting on 5/7/65.
• RAAF-DAFI reports of UFOs from Launceston, Tasmania, involving a white light on 14/7/65.
• Reports concerning three UFO sightings in the Bowen/Proserpine area (3/6/65), with witness accounts of two white lights that hovered and descended.
• A report regarding a sighting in the Samarai district (PNG).
• A letter from Civil Aviation regarding objects sighted by Mr. Hall-Robb of WA, and another reporting several sightings of orange and white lights.
• A sighting over Pakenham East.
• A report of a huge UFO doing a great speed on 21/4/65.
• RAAF Melbourne reports concerning UFOs from McAnter (Lakes Entrance) and Blinkhorn, including two silver discs with domes.
• RAAF Melbourne reports on a yellow sphere sighting and an orange light.
• A memo transferring a file from 580/1/1 to 554/1/30.
• A sighting of a UFO on 21/3/65 by R W Smith, involving three spherical lights with a red dome, witnessed by Mr. Smith (a prof. camera man) and Margaret Hotchkiss, with photographs taken.
• Telegram regarding numerous UFO sightings in the Sydney area, described as orange lights with supersonic speeds.
• A report of a yellow elongated light that moved erratically.
• A report of an object with portholes and two red lights.
• RAAF Melbourne reports concerning a sighting by Mr. O'Donahue of Mentone.
• A Qantas request regarding radar contacts of an unusually large number of density cloud radar contacts.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the systematic investigation of UFO phenomena by Australian government bodies, primarily the RAAF and ASIO, and the efforts of civilian research organizations to access and analyze this information. The newsletter highlights the meticulous cataloging of historical UFO reports and the challenges in obtaining classified documents. The editorial stance appears to be one of persistent inquiry and a commitment to transparency, encouraging the sharing of information and the pursuit of official records. There is a clear emphasis on documenting past events and fostering a collaborative approach between official bodies and civilian researchers.