DISCLOSURE AUSTRALIA

Magazine Overview

Title: DISCLOSURE AUSTRALIA
Issue: NEWSLETTER SEVENTEEN
Date: OCTOBER 2004
Publisher: Australian UFO Research Network / Australian UFO Research Association

This issue of Disclosure Australia, dated October 2004, focuses on the extensive involvement of the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) in investigating UFO reports in Australia between 1952 and 1973. It details the various ways the DCA collected, collated, and sometimes investigated sightings, often in conjunction with or in parallel to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and other security agencies.

The Department of Civil Aviation's Involvement with UFOs: 1952-1973

The article begins by noting that the Federal Government Air Board issued standard pro forma reports for 'flying saucers' starting in 1951, which were used by RAAF units. However, it highlights that the DCA was also actively collecting and collating reports, and other, more secretive agencies, also showed interest.

Early indications of the DCA's interest are drawn from an Australian book on Flying Saucers, which states that DCA officers wanted to establish a special bureau to collect and collate facts, but Cabinet directed that it was a matter for security services. A newspaper report titled “Hush ban on saucers” from May 1952 further illustrates this, with Australian Security Intelligence Officers refusing the DCA permission to investigate reports, citing that 'flying saucers' were 'security matters.' Mr R M Seymour, Superintendent of Air Traffic Control, stated that his department had planned to set up a special section and that the collected reports followed patterns seen in the United States.

Notable DCA Investigations and Sightings

1953: Mr T. Drury, Deputy Director of the DCA for Papua New Guinea, filmed an unknown object in Port Moresby. The object appeared as a 'cloud building up,' grew in intensity, climbed fast, and left a vapour trail. The film was examined in Australia by the RAAF and in the USA.

1954: The Victorian UFO Research Society published a document highlighting the DCA's interest. The Melbourne Herald reported R M Seymour encouraging people not to fear ridicule for reporting unusual objects, stating, "We do not regard this business as a joke. People are definitely seeing objects, some of which have not been explained.” The Melbourne Sun quoted Seymour saying the DCA would try to establish if an aircraft was in the vicinity, and if not, the report would be inexplicable. Media attention led to a surge in reports, with the DCA receiving 24 reports on January 6th alone, and about 50 by January 12th. A DCA official noted that "Some highly qualified engineers in our department are convinced that there is something in the saucer mystery.” The Disclosure Australia Project located one DCA file (C273/227) containing 15 reports from June 1953 to February 1960, with eight reported in 1954, many being 'lights in the sky' type sightings.

Mena Murtee Station Case (1954): A case file details an investigation by the DCA into photographs taken by Mr Keith Weston of a large saucer-shaped object at Mena Murtee Station. The object was estimated to be 80-90 yards across and departed with a loud explosion and clancking sound. However, Mrs Weston later advised the DCA that the photographs were faked as a joke. Despite this, an internal memo noted that if the photographs were genuine, American "Service" sources had requested copies.

1954-1957: The DCA regularly forwarded reports to the Department of Air using an internal form labelled "Air Safety Incident."

1957: L. Stinson, an Air Traffic Controller in Launceston, Tasmania, reported a white light travelling southwards at high speed, detected by radar at 34000 yards slant range and 5 degrees elevation. It was lost at a height of 9-10,000 feet.

1959-1963: RAAF files indicate the DCA continued to refer reports, including those from its own staff.

1963: The subject of "unusual occurrences" was on the agenda of an Air Safety investigations meeting. The minutes stated that reports of unusual occurrences not associated with known aircraft should still be communicated to Head Office.

1965: Six members of the Canberra Air Traffic control reported a UFO incident involving a large yellow luminous object, described as metallic, which was stationary for 20 minutes.

1966: The Department of Air expressed concern about publicity surrounding UFOs and sought the DCA's official association with investigations, proposing that UFO reports be sent to the DCA for comment.

1966-1967: The DCA agreed to provide assistance and suggested a system for liaising with RAAF bases. A memorandum in March 1967 outlined procedures for involving all authorities that could provide information.

1967: A CE2 case near Murray Bridge, South Australia, involved a witness reporting a "large dark shadow" with a greyish-blue glow. During the sighting, his car radio experienced interference, and the engine stopped, only to return to normal after the object disappeared.

1969: A radar visual event occurred involving a DCA radar operator at Kalamunda, WA. Civilian witnesses saw a moving light, which was later detected as a large radar echo. The object was described as circular and moved at high speed.

• Other 1969 Incidents: The article lists several other incidents involving airline pilots:
• January 18: Captain Morris reported a yellow/white light descending behind his Boeing 707 between Singapore and Perth.
• February 5: Pilot Tillotson reported a bright white point source travelling soundlessly near Ferny Creek, Vic.
• April 22: Pilot Hill reported a green light over Bass Strait, while Pilot Rayment reported bright white round balls with trailing incandescent balls.
• August 5: An airline crew saw a green fluorescent light, described as 2-3 times the size of the full Moon, near Melbourne.

• 1970: More airline crew reports are detailed:
• May 23: Captain Knott reported a beam of light near Townsville.
• June 29: Pilot Keog noted radar echoes of five cigar-shaped objects keeping station with his F27 aircraft.
• July 22: Pilot Harrington sighted two red and green objects, one above the other, near Katherine, NT.

Department of Transport and Regional Services (DOT)

In 1973, after over 20 years of involvement, the DCA was abolished, and its functions were transferred to the Department of Transport and Regional Services (DOT). The article notes that searching for DOT files requires using the Freedom of Information Act. A recent FOI request to the DOT, including the Australian Transport Safety Bureau's (ATSB) OASIS aviation occurrence database, located nine cases.

DOT FOI Findings:

• 196901691 (ID 129813): July 2, 1969 - "Burn marks rep on 2 golf courses. Reported as poss UFO landing. RAAF notified."
• 196902473 (ID 130595): January 31, 1969 - Diamond Creek, Vic. Sighting of a white UFO moving very fast in a straight line.
• 197502943 (ID 91062): January 12, 1975 - Albury, NSW. UFO sighted on radar at 20000ft, not identifiable.
• 197703195 (ID 77512): April 16, 1977 - Near King Island, Tas. UFO report from pilot, passed to RAAF.
• 197802563 (ID 70857): October 21, 1978 - Near Cape Otway, Vic. Pilot reported UFO, engine trouble, TX ceased, ACFT missing.
• 197904600 (ID 66734): September 22, 1979 - Near Banka Banka, NT. Object in area, search ACFT found burnt trees and white ash. Sighted by three witnesses.
• 197904657 (ID 66791): October 19, 1979 - Near Broken Hill, NSW. F27 crew sighted UFO whilst on climb out, flashing white light.
• 198300234 (ID 40550): April 7, 1983 - Near Manly West, Qld. Silvery object size of Cessna without wings flying from east to west at 2000ft.
• 199804923 (ID 164236): November 8, 1998 - 28km NW Perth, WA. Pilot reported an unidentified flying object, bright red/orange, travelling very fast.

References

The article provides extensive references, primarily to various National Archives of Australia file series, along with citations from books and newspapers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the systematic, albeit sometimes contested, involvement of Australian government agencies, particularly the Department of Civil Aviation, in documenting and investigating UFO sightings. The editorial stance appears to be one of presenting factual historical accounts and official records, highlighting the seriousness with which these reports were treated by some within the government, despite the involvement of security services and the eventual classification of many reports as unexplained or requiring further investigation. The article emphasizes the long duration of this involvement and the transfer of responsibilities between departments.