Australian Ufology
Encyclopedia
Australian ufology refers to a historical series of Australian events and or activities pertaining to government departments, civilian groups or individual Australians, which centre on or around the study of Unidentified Flying Object
(UFO) reports, sightings, encounters and other related phenomena, known as ufology
within the Australian context before 1984.
(July 1947) became international press items and appeared in Australian newspapers.
in March 1949 at the Federal Government's newly-established Aeronautical Research Laboratory (ARL). The minutes of the non-government meeting show an attendance of 23 enthusiasts from various state and local groups such as the British Interplanetary Society
, Royal Aeronautical Society
(RAS), Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation
(CAC), Royal Australian Air Force
(RAAF) and the Army Research Establishment
. By May 1949 this gathering of enthusiasts became known as Aeronautical & Meteorological Phenomena Research (AMPR) led by Brian Boyle and Jack Seers. AMPR started to list and research UFO stories and produced a small quarterly publication called Interplanetary Saucer .
AMPR's workload increased as the world ran into its next major sightings flap. In 1951 AMPR became Aeronautics & Phenomena Research Victoria (APRV).
In May 1952, R. M. Seymour, Superintendent of the Federal Civil Aviation Department, Air Traffic Control Branch Melbourne, reported that Australian Intelligence officers had refused his Department permission to investigate flying saucer reports on the grounds that UFOs were "security matters"..
In July 1952, Edgar Jarrold founded the Australian Flying Saucer Bureau (AFSB) in Sydney
. Its headquarters were based in Fairfield
. AFSB began publishing the Australian Flying Saucer Magazine in May 1953.
At some point in time, the APRV made contact with Jarrold and agreed that the AFSB and APRV would assist each other when possible. The APRV nominated John. M. Anderson as their AFSB liaison on the condition that his appointment is seen only as being neutral, there will be no branch affiliation with AFSB. Apparently Jarrold was seen by APRV as a secretive “loose gun” but both groups maintained an average working relationship.
AMPR decided on 6 February 1953 to form an auxiliary group called the Australian Flying Saucer Investigating Committee (AFSIC) in partnership with the Astronomical Society of Victoria (ASV).
Such was the interest in UFOs during the period that on 20 November 1953, Alexander Downer
, the member for the Federal Division of Angas, enquired during Question Time in the House of Representatives about whether the RAAF was actively investingating the UFO phenomenon. The then Minister for Air
, William McMahon
(later Prime Minister) replied that the saucers were a problem "more for psychologists than for defence authorities".
In July 1954, AFSIC released a study of 55 sightings.
The flying saucer topic came under intense criticism. Public support for the continuation of investigation into the UFO phenomenon was driven by newspaper coverage of the 1954 sightings.
Then-Federal Minister for External Affairs
and Minister in charge of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
Richard Casey
wrote a letter to The Advertiser newspaper (Adelaide) which was published on 30 January 1954 . The clipping included this:
Baron Casey was a member of APRV. His time as Minister in charge of the CSIRO and as Minister for External Affairs enabled him to act as a conduit between governmental research, the public, and public enthusiast clubs. Casey’s curiosity on the subject related to UFO remained with him until his death in June 1976.
Then on March 1954 Jarrold was contacted by a South Australian called Fred Stone. Stone agreed to form a branch of Jarrold’s group and so the AFSB (SA) was formed. But this relationship was fragile and as Jarrold’s behavior changed due to stress the relationship deteriorated. The RAAF also noted problems with Jarrold, Sq Leader A.H. Birch, AFC, Air Force Head-Quarters, Victoria Barracks, Victoria, made note of this in a letter dated 5 April 1955 "... the discussion during the brief interview I had with Mr. Jarrold mainly concerned the possibility of his Society causing embarrassment to the Royal Australian Air Force.." (See Doc).
The RAAF then changed their policy and shifted their help to other organisations within Australia. "The Director would be happy to extend this service to your Society also." (See Doc).
After Sq/Ld Birch meeting with Edger Jarrold's UFO group AFSB collapsed (Feb 1955), in just under 4 years, Mr Jarrold departed the active UFO scene for good, only to appear on rare occasions.
After this, a new state group emerged. The most prominent and first to re-build was under the Directorship of Fred Stone. Stone forms the Australian Flying Saucer Research Society (AFSRS) based in Adelaide
, South Australia
on Feb 1955. (See Doc). Stone also sees a chance to become the governing body of all Australian Ufology. He asks APRV to come under his plan and they reject the concept. However, APRV agree to extend the same relationship they extended to Jarrold’s group with John. M. Anderson as their contact. This arrangement was agreed to and APRV supplied a list of contacts for Stone on possible branch organisers. Fred Stone's plan, was to form three new state groups (Victoria, NSW, Queensland) under his control. With a new members list Stone set his plan into motion. Although each new group developed due to individuals within these group's, in the end Fred Stone had little input into the other two state groups structure. His concept worked at first but soon ran into administration problems due to distance between states and distant lines of communication.
In April 1956 to deal with an increase in reports the Aeronautics & Phenomena Research Victoria (APRV) changed their structure and name to Phenomena Research Victoria (PRV).
Then in November 1957 an upwelling of public interest produced the formation of new groups around Australia. The majority of these new state groups did not accept Fred Stone’s 1955 plan; those who accepted it only lasted one year before they decided to operate under their own administration. In late 1957 a new group starts in Sydney called the "Northern Suburbs Flying Saucer Research Association" (NSFSRA) is established under Mr & Mrs D. Moore.
Queensland members call for an independent structure and went their own way. They formed the Queensland Flying Saucer Research Bureau (QFSRB) - now known as UFO Research Queensland (UFORQld), formed under Charles Middleborough in 1956 and with Stan Seers from 1957. These new groups are infiltrated and members come under the watchful eye of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation
(ASIO), as seen in this report dated 4 August 1959. Dossiers and comments on Stan Seers and QFSRB members are produced for the ASIO Regional Director. (See Doc).
However, in Victoria the Australian Flying Saucer Research Society (Victorian Branch) (AFSRS Vic) - now known as the Victorian UFO Research Society (VUFORS), under Peter E. Norris LL.B and John Pinkney is formed on 17 February 1957 at Melbourne University. The first months of 1957 it was a branch of the Australian Flying Saucer Research Society (AFSRS) but later that year it also became independent and was re-organised as the "Victorian Flying Saucer Research Society" (VFSRS). (See Doc).
At this time the Australian Flying Saucer Research Society (NSW Branch) (AFSRS NSW) was formed. This branch followed Victoria's lead and decided to become independent from Fred Stone South Australia group AFSRS. The NSW membership decided to again change their structure and name and thus became the UFO Investigation Centre (UFOIC) under Dr. W.P. Clifford 1957.
UFOIC start, was over shadowed by a large, more active Sydney group the "Northern Suburbs Flying Saucer Research Association". The two Sydney groups competed for members and soon relationships between the two broke down in competition. However, NSFSRA became the central NSW group, primarily due to their public support and "hosting" of "George Adamski" on his 1959 Australian visit, organised by Victorian and Queensland Groups. Adamski held his Sydney lecture at Adyar Hall Sydney on Friday 27 February 1959. The Adamski visit resulted in UFOIC membership falling away dramatically until it was basically a small, close-knit group of enthusiasts. So bitter was the dispute, UFOIC President Dr. Greenwell resigned in disgust; this opened the position to Dr Miran Lindtner who became president in March 1959. But the damage had been done and the Sydney experience scares the NSW UFO community.
Rocket Range. These departments changes start to effect administration and membership at PRV, so to keep up with the changing world, in 1961 the old AMPR again changed their structure and name from Phenomena Research Victoria (PRV) to Phenomena Research Australia (PRA).
On 27 February 1965, in the country town of Ballarat, Victoria, Australia held its first UFO group congregation. The conference was arranged by W. Howard Sloane, of the Ballarat Astronomical Society. The RAAF was represented by Mr B.G. Roberts, a senior research scientist with the Operational Research Office (ORO), Department of Air, Canberra and two RAAF officers to look after a display. Air Marshal Sir George Jones
(who had an interest in UFOs) also attended. Keynote speakers, including the Rev. William Gill and Charles Brew, gave accounts on their very public UFO experience. At the conference, a new public group structure named Commonwealth Aerial Phenomena Investigation Organisation (CAPIO). The assembly voted it into existence, out of proceedings lawyer Peter E. Norris LL.B(Melb) became CAPIO's first President, under the patronage of Air Marshal Sir George Jones (See Doc).
October 1965, after setup delays, the Tasmania UFO Investigation Centre (TUFOIC) was founded under Keith Roberts and Paul Jackson.
In 1966 a new group based at Woomera was set up called the 'Scientific Technical and Astronomical Research Society". This group of scientific and technical personnel collected UFO reports from the Woomera
rocket range and local area. With the demise of the British and Australian rocket program, the group was disbanded in 1968.
On 12 October 1966, the Department of Air wrote to the CSIRO advising that “…Sighting of Unidentified Flying Objects have during recent months been receiving considerable publicity... it is important that the system of investigation should make the best use of resources available in Australia.”. The DOA invited the CSIRO to comment on specific UFO cases to be sent to them by the RAAF. The minutes of the 92nd meeting of the CSIRO executive committee on 25 October 1966 (See para 10) revealed that the CSIRO agreed to the DOA’s request. They responded on 7 November 1966 “The organisation is quite happy to assist in this way...and to provide you with comments...”.
By 1963 the South Australian group was finished, this led to a push from Sydney to take control of the state group's magazine. On 23 February 1967, UFOIC V/Pres Mr. Harry O’Brian (See Letterhead) made an application for copyright on the states groups magazine “Australian Flying Saucer Review”. Victoria and Queensland protested, the application failed, and VFSRS closed the door on Sydney. UFOIC continued publishing a newsletter from 1964 until late 1979.
In 1968 the Victorian Flying Saucer Research Society (VFSRS) was re-organised and its name was again altered - this time to the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society (VUFORS).
On 26 June 1968, in a letter from the Australian Governments Department of External Affairs to the Secretary Prime Minister’s Department, the following policy observations are recorded; “…the history of this subject reveals that the more time and effort that is spent by experienced scientists in investigating the smaller becomes the residue of unexplained phenomena…in spite of these difficulties the Australian Government continue to keep records of “sighting” and associated phenomena reported within Australian and associated territories.” (See Doc).
By 1969 Phenomena Research Australia (PRA) change their policy and open limited membership to the general public with a new newsletter called UFO And Phenomena.
On 30 October 1971, a symposium was held in Adelaide. The symposium, on UFOs, was organised by the SA Division of the Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science.
Victorian groups VUFORS and PRA invite Dr. J. Allen Hynek
to visit Australia. Hynek accepts the invitation and in 1973 Hynek arrives in Australia, spending 4 days in Melbourne, followed by short stops Sydney, ACT, Brisbane and then finally Papua New Guinea
. While in Victoria, Dr. Hynek was also able to meet with Rev. William Gill who was involved in the famous "close encounters of the third kind" case that occurred in the Anglican mission village at Boianai, Papua
, New Guinea, he also journeyed to Papua, this enabled him to undertake a detailed on site investigation into this famous case. Victorian members of VUFORS and PRA arranged that, during his stay in the ACT, he was able to talk with Shamus O'Farrell, discussing O'Farrell’s famous 1954 Sea Fury incident.
In 1974, Harry Griesberg and David Seargent established the Australian Co-ordination Section (ACOS) of the US based Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS). This followed the 1973 visit to Australia of Dr J. Allen Hynek, who requested that Australian ufologists forward copies of interesting Australian sighting reports to CUFOS in the USA.
Then in 1978, VUFORS changes direction following the resignation of Mr. Peter Norris, a new executive is placed in control, ensuring that continuing prosperity of VUFORS. By 1978 VUFORS has the largest membership of any U.F.O. organisation in the Southern Hemisphere.
, Victoria, to view the majority files collection, and copy what they wished. This was a significant ‘turn around’ by the Defence Force, but it was the start of a period of remarkable co-operation between Government Departments and Civilian groups. It was not until 1981 that another change in policy was instigated. A selection of general UFO files could be sent to Defence HQ, Russell Office, Canberra, when requested. The limited selection became open to other civilians for research after being vetted by a second controlling officer, but after their inspection they were returned to the Victorian collection.
These above samples lists are from the West Australian, National Archives of Australia (NAA) files. However, it is known that there are over 10,000 files in over 130 folders on the topic of UFO or Flying Saucers located within the NAA 60 million file collection. After 1980, Government UFO reports that were in external departments, were culled and then scattered throughout Australia to NAA storage areas, away from their original central point in Victoria.
Looking at archival documents we see the following main player in UFO case research or information collection. Please note the list may not show the upper administration levels of the departments just the units that were involved with UFO case studies.
]
Note: This above list is far from complete; however, it does lists important pages from the main Government sections that held or handled UFO reports.
From 1930 to 1959 the majority collection of Defence UFO files were held at HQ Southern Air, G Block, Albert Part Barracks, Melbourne. (See Doc) with Army Intelligence. After 1959 the files were moved to RAAF Headquarters, Support Command, Victoria Barracks, Victoria Intelligence Cell, within the main building. These case files were controlled by the Australian Army
through the Australian Army Intelligence Corps
staff within the Australian Intelligence system, and they played a principle roll in the field investigation of any UFO phenomenon in Australia. However, the Army kept a low public profile but filtered reports for action. All Departments’ Central Offices were located in Melbourne, Victoria, between 1930 and 1969, then due to Government restructure, a majority of departments moved to Canberra. The main collection of UFO files stayed in Victoria until 1989 later going to Canberra or the National Archives of Australia.
For further information on UFO and the Australian Government, files and case reports from 1950 to 1984 search the National Archives of Australia
.
Unidentified flying object
A term originally coined by the military, an unidentified flying object is an unusual apparent anomaly in the sky that is not readily identifiable to the observer as any known object...
(UFO) reports, sightings, encounters and other related phenomena, known as ufology
Ufology
Ufology is a neologism coined to describe the collective efforts of those who study reports and associated evidence of unidentified flying objects . UFOs have been subject to various investigations over the years by governments, independent groups, and scientists...
within the Australian context before 1984.
History
Early reports about UFOs in and around Australia date back prior to 1947. However, the Kenneth Arnold case (June 1947) and the Roswell UFO IncidentRoswell UFO incident
The Roswell UFO Incident was the recovery of an object that crashed in the general vicinity of Roswell, New Mexico, in June or July 1947, allegedly an extra-terrestrial spacecraft and its alien occupants. Since the late 1970s the incident has been the subject of intense controversy and of...
(July 1947) became international press items and appeared in Australian newspapers.
1940s
The first gathering of UFO enthusiasts occurred in MelbourneMelbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
in March 1949 at the Federal Government's newly-established Aeronautical Research Laboratory (ARL). The minutes of the non-government meeting show an attendance of 23 enthusiasts from various state and local groups such as the British Interplanetary Society
British Interplanetary Society
The British Interplanetary Society founded in 1933 by Philip E. Cleator, is the oldest space advocacy organisation in the world whose aim is exclusively to support and promote astronautics and space exploration.-Structure:...
, Royal Aeronautical Society
Royal Aeronautical Society
The Royal Aeronautical Society, also known as the RAeS, is a multidisciplinary professional institution dedicated to the global aerospace community.-Function:...
(RAS), Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation
Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation
The Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation was an Australian aircraft manufacturer. The CAC was established in 1936, to provide Australia with the capability to produce military aircraft and engines.-History:...
(CAC), Royal Australian Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
(RAAF) and the Army Research Establishment
Defence Science and Technology Organisation
The Defence Science and Technology Organisation is a branch of the Australian Department of Defence which researches and develops technologies for use in the Australian defence industry....
. By May 1949 this gathering of enthusiasts became known as Aeronautical & Meteorological Phenomena Research (AMPR) led by Brian Boyle and Jack Seers. AMPR started to list and research UFO stories and produced a small quarterly publication called Interplanetary Saucer .
1950s
In May 1952, R. M. Seymour, Superintendent of the Federal Civil Aviation Department, Air Traffic Control Branch Melbourne, reported that Australian Intelligence officers had refused his Department permission to investigate flying saucer reports on the grounds that UFOs were "security matters"..
In July 1952, Edgar Jarrold founded the Australian Flying Saucer Bureau (AFSB) in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
. Its headquarters were based in Fairfield
Fairfield, New South Wales
Fairfield is a western suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Fairfield is located 29 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre for the local government area of the City of Fairfield and is also partly in the local government...
. AFSB began publishing the Australian Flying Saucer Magazine in May 1953.
At some point in time, the APRV made contact with Jarrold and agreed that the AFSB and APRV would assist each other when possible. The APRV nominated John. M. Anderson as their AFSB liaison on the condition that his appointment is seen only as being neutral, there will be no branch affiliation with AFSB. Apparently Jarrold was seen by APRV as a secretive “loose gun” but both groups maintained an average working relationship.
AMPR decided on 6 February 1953 to form an auxiliary group called the Australian Flying Saucer Investigating Committee (AFSIC) in partnership with the Astronomical Society of Victoria (ASV).
Such was the interest in UFOs during the period that on 20 November 1953, Alexander Downer
Alexander Downer, Sr.
Sir Alexander Russell Downer KBE , Australian politician generally known as Alec Downer, was born in Adelaide, a part of the Downer family and son of John Downer, who was a former Premier of South Australia and member of the Australian Senate.He was educated at Geelong Grammar School and at Oxford...
, the member for the Federal Division of Angas, enquired during Question Time in the House of Representatives about whether the RAAF was actively investingating the UFO phenomenon. The then Minister for Air
Minister for Defence (Australia)
The Minister for Defence of Australia administers his portfolio through the Australian Defence Organisation, which comprises the Department of Defence and the Australian Defence Force. Stephen Smith is the current Minister.-Ministers for Defence:...
, William McMahon
William McMahon
Sir William "Billy" McMahon, GCMG, CH , was an Australian Liberal politician and the 20th Prime Minister of Australia...
(later Prime Minister) replied that the saucers were a problem "more for psychologists than for defence authorities".
In July 1954, AFSIC released a study of 55 sightings.
The flying saucer topic came under intense criticism. Public support for the continuation of investigation into the UFO phenomenon was driven by newspaper coverage of the 1954 sightings.
Minister for Foreign Affairs (Australia)
In the Government of Australia, the Minister for Foreign Affairs is responsible for overseeing the international diplomacy section of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. In common with international practice, the office is often informally referred to as Foreign Minister...
and Minister in charge of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (Australia)
The current Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research is Kim Carr, appointed on 3 December 2007. He administers his portfolio through the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.-List of Ministers for Industry :...
Richard Casey
Richard Casey, Baron Casey
Richard Gardiner Casey, Baron Casey KG GCMG CH DSO MC KStJ PC was an Australian politician, diplomat and the 16th Governor-General of Australia.-Early life:...
wrote a letter to The Advertiser newspaper (Adelaide) which was published on 30 January 1954 . The clipping included this:
Baron Casey was a member of APRV. His time as Minister in charge of the CSIRO and as Minister for External Affairs enabled him to act as a conduit between governmental research, the public, and public enthusiast clubs. Casey’s curiosity on the subject related to UFO remained with him until his death in June 1976.
Then on March 1954 Jarrold was contacted by a South Australian called Fred Stone. Stone agreed to form a branch of Jarrold’s group and so the AFSB (SA) was formed. But this relationship was fragile and as Jarrold’s behavior changed due to stress the relationship deteriorated. The RAAF also noted problems with Jarrold, Sq Leader A.H. Birch, AFC, Air Force Head-Quarters, Victoria Barracks, Victoria, made note of this in a letter dated 5 April 1955 "... the discussion during the brief interview I had with Mr. Jarrold mainly concerned the possibility of his Society causing embarrassment to the Royal Australian Air Force.." (See Doc).
The RAAF then changed their policy and shifted their help to other organisations within Australia. "The Director would be happy to extend this service to your Society also." (See Doc).
After Sq/Ld Birch meeting with Edger Jarrold's UFO group AFSB collapsed (Feb 1955), in just under 4 years, Mr Jarrold departed the active UFO scene for good, only to appear on rare occasions.
After this, a new state group emerged. The most prominent and first to re-build was under the Directorship of Fred Stone. Stone forms the Australian Flying Saucer Research Society (AFSRS) based in Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
, South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
on Feb 1955. (See Doc). Stone also sees a chance to become the governing body of all Australian Ufology. He asks APRV to come under his plan and they reject the concept. However, APRV agree to extend the same relationship they extended to Jarrold’s group with John. M. Anderson as their contact. This arrangement was agreed to and APRV supplied a list of contacts for Stone on possible branch organisers. Fred Stone's plan, was to form three new state groups (Victoria, NSW, Queensland) under his control. With a new members list Stone set his plan into motion. Although each new group developed due to individuals within these group's, in the end Fred Stone had little input into the other two state groups structure. His concept worked at first but soon ran into administration problems due to distance between states and distant lines of communication.
In April 1956 to deal with an increase in reports the Aeronautics & Phenomena Research Victoria (APRV) changed their structure and name to Phenomena Research Victoria (PRV).
Then in November 1957 an upwelling of public interest produced the formation of new groups around Australia. The majority of these new state groups did not accept Fred Stone’s 1955 plan; those who accepted it only lasted one year before they decided to operate under their own administration. In late 1957 a new group starts in Sydney called the "Northern Suburbs Flying Saucer Research Association" (NSFSRA) is established under Mr & Mrs D. Moore.
Queensland members call for an independent structure and went their own way. They formed the Queensland Flying Saucer Research Bureau (QFSRB) - now known as UFO Research Queensland (UFORQld), formed under Charles Middleborough in 1956 and with Stan Seers from 1957. These new groups are infiltrated and members come under the watchful eye of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation
The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation is Australia's national security service, which is responsible for the protection of the country and its citizens from espionage, sabotage, acts of foreign interference, politically-motivated violence, attacks on the Australian defence system, and...
(ASIO), as seen in this report dated 4 August 1959. Dossiers and comments on Stan Seers and QFSRB members are produced for the ASIO Regional Director. (See Doc).
However, in Victoria the Australian Flying Saucer Research Society (Victorian Branch) (AFSRS Vic) - now known as the Victorian UFO Research Society (VUFORS), under Peter E. Norris LL.B and John Pinkney is formed on 17 February 1957 at Melbourne University. The first months of 1957 it was a branch of the Australian Flying Saucer Research Society (AFSRS) but later that year it also became independent and was re-organised as the "Victorian Flying Saucer Research Society" (VFSRS). (See Doc).
At this time the Australian Flying Saucer Research Society (NSW Branch) (AFSRS NSW) was formed. This branch followed Victoria's lead and decided to become independent from Fred Stone South Australia group AFSRS. The NSW membership decided to again change their structure and name and thus became the UFO Investigation Centre (UFOIC) under Dr. W.P. Clifford 1957.
UFOIC start, was over shadowed by a large, more active Sydney group the "Northern Suburbs Flying Saucer Research Association". The two Sydney groups competed for members and soon relationships between the two broke down in competition. However, NSFSRA became the central NSW group, primarily due to their public support and "hosting" of "George Adamski" on his 1959 Australian visit, organised by Victorian and Queensland Groups. Adamski held his Sydney lecture at Adyar Hall Sydney on Friday 27 February 1959. The Adamski visit resulted in UFOIC membership falling away dramatically until it was basically a small, close-knit group of enthusiasts. So bitter was the dispute, UFOIC President Dr. Greenwell resigned in disgust; this opened the position to Dr Miran Lindtner who became president in March 1959. But the damage had been done and the Sydney experience scares the NSW UFO community.
1960s
The Australian space industry was in full swing and slowly research facilities that were based in Victoria move to South Australia and the WoomeraWoomera, South Australia
The town, or village, of Woomera is located in the south east corner of the Woomera Prohibited Area ; colloquially known as the Woomera Rocket Range...
Rocket Range. These departments changes start to effect administration and membership at PRV, so to keep up with the changing world, in 1961 the old AMPR again changed their structure and name from Phenomena Research Victoria (PRV) to Phenomena Research Australia (PRA).
On 27 February 1965, in the country town of Ballarat, Victoria, Australia held its first UFO group congregation. The conference was arranged by W. Howard Sloane, of the Ballarat Astronomical Society. The RAAF was represented by Mr B.G. Roberts, a senior research scientist with the Operational Research Office (ORO), Department of Air, Canberra and two RAAF officers to look after a display. Air Marshal Sir George Jones
George Jones (RAAF officer)
Air Marshal Sir George Jones KBE, CB, DFC was a senior commander in the Royal Australian Air Force . He rose from private soldier in World War I to Air Marshal in 1948, and served as Chief of the Air Staff from 1942 to 1952, the longest continuous tenure of any RAAF chief...
(who had an interest in UFOs) also attended. Keynote speakers, including the Rev. William Gill and Charles Brew, gave accounts on their very public UFO experience. At the conference, a new public group structure named Commonwealth Aerial Phenomena Investigation Organisation (CAPIO). The assembly voted it into existence, out of proceedings lawyer Peter E. Norris LL.B(Melb) became CAPIO's first President, under the patronage of Air Marshal Sir George Jones (See Doc).
October 1965, after setup delays, the Tasmania UFO Investigation Centre (TUFOIC) was founded under Keith Roberts and Paul Jackson.
In 1966 a new group based at Woomera was set up called the 'Scientific Technical and Astronomical Research Society". This group of scientific and technical personnel collected UFO reports from the Woomera
Woomera, South Australia
The town, or village, of Woomera is located in the south east corner of the Woomera Prohibited Area ; colloquially known as the Woomera Rocket Range...
rocket range and local area. With the demise of the British and Australian rocket program, the group was disbanded in 1968.
On 12 October 1966, the Department of Air wrote to the CSIRO advising that “…Sighting of Unidentified Flying Objects have during recent months been receiving considerable publicity... it is important that the system of investigation should make the best use of resources available in Australia.”. The DOA invited the CSIRO to comment on specific UFO cases to be sent to them by the RAAF. The minutes of the 92nd meeting of the CSIRO executive committee on 25 October 1966 (See para 10) revealed that the CSIRO agreed to the DOA’s request. They responded on 7 November 1966 “The organisation is quite happy to assist in this way...and to provide you with comments...”.
State collaboration fractures
For years there was a general underground friction or competitiveness between groups, focused primary on Victorian groups. Norris and his group VFSRS pressed the need for an active Government research input and created the linking opportunities with various Government bodies for this process. A document to ASIO quotes AFSRS President Fred Stone as lacking trust in the Victorian group and reported that they were associated with a Sydney UFO Group that was controlled by people with “Pink” tendencies.(See Doc).By 1963 the South Australian group was finished, this led to a push from Sydney to take control of the state group's magazine. On 23 February 1967, UFOIC V/Pres Mr. Harry O’Brian (See Letterhead) made an application for copyright on the states groups magazine “Australian Flying Saucer Review”. Victoria and Queensland protested, the application failed, and VFSRS closed the door on Sydney. UFOIC continued publishing a newsletter from 1964 until late 1979.
In 1968 the Victorian Flying Saucer Research Society (VFSRS) was re-organised and its name was again altered - this time to the Victorian U.F.O. Research Society (VUFORS).
| CASE 1 | 1966 6 April | Westall High School UFO Westall High School UFO The Westall UFO encounter is an event that occurred on 6 April 1966 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Around 11.00 am, for about 20 minutes, more than 200 students and teachers at two Victorian state schools allegedly witnessed an unexplained flying object which descended into a nearby open wild... , Victoria |
On 26 June 1968, in a letter from the Australian Governments Department of External Affairs to the Secretary Prime Minister’s Department, the following policy observations are recorded; “…the history of this subject reveals that the more time and effort that is spent by experienced scientists in investigating the smaller becomes the residue of unexplained phenomena…in spite of these difficulties the Australian Government continue to keep records of “sighting” and associated phenomena reported within Australian and associated territories.” (See Doc).
By 1969 Phenomena Research Australia (PRA) change their policy and open limited membership to the general public with a new newsletter called UFO And Phenomena.
1970s
In late 1970, Tasmania UFO Investigation Centre (TUFOIC), produced the "Tasmanian UFO Report" later "TUFOIC Newsletter", a magazines that covered 86 issues (1970 to 1999).On 30 October 1971, a symposium was held in Adelaide. The symposium, on UFOs, was organised by the SA Division of the Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science.
Victorian groups VUFORS and PRA invite Dr. J. Allen Hynek
J. Allen Hynek
Dr. Josef Allen Hynek was a United States astronomer, professor, and ufologist. He is perhaps best remembered for his UFO research. Hynek acted as scientific adviser to UFO studies undertaken by the U.S. Air Force under three consecutive names: Project Sign , Project Grudge , and Project Blue Book...
to visit Australia. Hynek accepts the invitation and in 1973 Hynek arrives in Australia, spending 4 days in Melbourne, followed by short stops Sydney, ACT, Brisbane and then finally Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...
. While in Victoria, Dr. Hynek was also able to meet with Rev. William Gill who was involved in the famous "close encounters of the third kind" case that occurred in the Anglican mission village at Boianai, Papua
Papua (Australian territory)
The Territory of Papua comprised the southeastern quarter of the island of New Guinea from 1883 to 1949. It became a British Protectorate in the year 1884, and four years later it was formally annexed as British New Guinea...
, New Guinea, he also journeyed to Papua, this enabled him to undertake a detailed on site investigation into this famous case. Victorian members of VUFORS and PRA arranged that, during his stay in the ACT, he was able to talk with Shamus O'Farrell, discussing O'Farrell’s famous 1954 Sea Fury incident.
In 1974, Harry Griesberg and David Seargent established the Australian Co-ordination Section (ACOS) of the US based Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS). This followed the 1973 visit to Australia of Dr J. Allen Hynek, who requested that Australian ufologists forward copies of interesting Australian sighting reports to CUFOS in the USA.
Then in 1978, VUFORS changes direction following the resignation of Mr. Peter Norris, a new executive is placed in control, ensuring that continuing prosperity of VUFORS. By 1978 VUFORS has the largest membership of any U.F.O. organisation in the Southern Hemisphere.
Defence UFO files open
Although the UFO files were available to Defence personnel and Civilians Defence personnel for years, these files remained closed to outside researchers. Then in Oct 1979, extensively through the efforts of VUFORS researchers and Fl/Lt Brett Biddington, (Later Group Captain - RAAF) , the RAAF invited Victorian researchers to visit the Intelligence Cell at RAAF Headquarters Support Command, Victoria BarracksVictoria Barracks
There are several Victoria Barracks in the world.*Victoria Barracks, Windsor Castle*Victoria Barracks, Melbourne*Victoria Barracks, Hong Kong*Victoria Barracks, Sydney*Victoria Barracks, Brisbane...
, Victoria, to view the majority files collection, and copy what they wished. This was a significant ‘turn around’ by the Defence Force, but it was the start of a period of remarkable co-operation between Government Departments and Civilian groups. It was not until 1981 that another change in policy was instigated. A selection of general UFO files could be sent to Defence HQ, Russell Office, Canberra, when requested. The limited selection became open to other civilians for research after being vetted by a second controlling officer, but after their inspection they were returned to the Victorian collection.
| CASE 2 | 1978 21 October | Pilot Frederick Valentich Disappearance Valentich Disappearance The Valentich disappearance refers to the unexplained disappearance on 21 October 1978 of 20-year-old Frederick Valentich while piloting a Cessna 182L light aircraft over Bass Strait in Australia... , Victoria |
1980s
By 1980 ACOS became the Australian Centre for UFO Studies (ACUFOS) by 1985 (to this day) under the control of Dr Martin Gottschall. UFO Research Australia (UFORA) is formed by Vladimir and Pony Godic. Their first newsletter is published in Jan 1980 in South Australia.Government
The structure of Australian Government is in three tiers. The lowest level is Local Council, above that is the State Government and over these two levels sits the Federal Government. Throughout the modern era of Australian Ufology, departments of the Federal government have played the major role of official inquisitor. The State Government does play a minor role, however, archival evidence reveals that when a State body gets involved their primary object is to pass the case up to the Federal sphere.Reports
RAAF dealt with more than 400 between 1950<->1959 and over 1,300 reports between 1960<->1980. The Department of Air produced Unusual Aerial Sightings (UAS) lists for the public. Three such examples are:- Summary No1 January 60 - Dec 68,
- Summary No2 January 69 - Dec 69,
- Summary No3 January 71 - Dec 71.
These above samples lists are from the West Australian, National Archives of Australia (NAA) files. However, it is known that there are over 10,000 files in over 130 folders on the topic of UFO or Flying Saucers located within the NAA 60 million file collection. After 1980, Government UFO reports that were in external departments, were culled and then scattered throughout Australia to NAA storage areas, away from their original central point in Victoria.
Looking at archival documents we see the following main player in UFO case research or information collection. Please note the list may not show the upper administration levels of the departments just the units that were involved with UFO case studies.
State
- Melbourne University
- Local Police Stations
- Local Police CIB Special Branch
Federal
- Air Board
- Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO)
- Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB)
- Australian Joint Service Staff (Intelligence)
- Bureau of Air Safety (BAS)
- Bureau of Air Safety Investigation (BASI)
- Bureau of Meteorology (BOM)
- Commonwealth Investigation Section (CIS)
- Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
- Defence Scientific and Technical Intelligence (DSTI)
- Director of Scientific Intelligence (DSI)
- Directorate of Air Force Intelligence (DAFI)
- Division of Meteorological Physics (CSIRO)
- Division of Radio Physics (CSIRO)
- Department of Defence (DoD)
- Department of Air (DOA) (1939–1973)
- Department of Aviation (DOA)
- Department of Civil Aviation (DCA)
- Department of External Affairs
- Department of Meteorology (DOM)
- Department of the Navy
- Department of Supply (1950–1974)
- Department of Transport (DOT)
- Joint Intelligence Bureau (JIB)
- Meteorological Branch
- National Standards Laboratory (CSIRO)
- Upper Atmosphere Section (CSIRO)
Note: This above list is far from complete; however, it does lists important pages from the main Government sections that held or handled UFO reports.
From 1930 to 1959 the majority collection of Defence UFO files were held at HQ Southern Air, G Block, Albert Part Barracks, Melbourne. (See Doc) with Army Intelligence. After 1959 the files were moved to RAAF Headquarters, Support Command, Victoria Barracks, Victoria Intelligence Cell, within the main building. These case files were controlled by the Australian Army
Australian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
through the Australian Army Intelligence Corps
Australian Army Intelligence Corps
The Australian Intelligence Corps is a corps within the Australian Army. It was formed on 6 December 1907 and provides intelligence personnel in every formation headquarters in the Army. The corps currently consists of 169 officers and 232 other ranks....
staff within the Australian Intelligence system, and they played a principle roll in the field investigation of any UFO phenomenon in Australia. However, the Army kept a low public profile but filtered reports for action. All Departments’ Central Offices were located in Melbourne, Victoria, between 1930 and 1969, then due to Government restructure, a majority of departments moved to Canberra. The main collection of UFO files stayed in Victoria until 1989 later going to Canberra or the National Archives of Australia.
The Air Force depart Australian ufology
4 January 1994, RAAF Wing Commander Brett Biddington, on behalf of the Chief of Air Staff, informed every civilian UFO groups around Australia that "The number of reports made to the RAAF in the past decade had declined significantly, which may indicate that organisations such as yours are better known and are meeting the community's requirements." Therefore, the RAAF was not going to investigate or collect any more public reports from that date on. Although the RAAF have officially removed themselves from the public report collection phase, there is evidence that internal investigations, by other Government departments, still continue under the new title of Unusual Aerial Phenomena (UAP) or Unusual Aerial Sightings (UAS). Called the “1996 - Defence Instructions (General) ADMIN 55-1”, this 1996 Department of Defence (DOD) policy document better known as 'ADMIN 55-1' concerns UAS Policy is still in used.For further information on UFO and the Australian Government, files and case reports from 1950 to 1984 search the National Archives of Australia
National Archives of Australia
The National Archives of Australia is a body established by the Government of Australia for the purpose of preserving Commonwealth Government records. It is an Executive Agency of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and reports to the Cabinet Secretary, Senator Joe Ludwig.The national...
.
UFO investigation groups
- Australian Centre for UFO Studies (ACUFOS)
- Australian International UFO Flying Saucer Research (AIUFOFSR)
- Phenomena Research Australia (PRA)
- Tasmanian UFO Investigation Centre (TUFOIC)
- Victorian UFO Research Society (VUFORS)
- UFO Research NSW (UFORNSW)
- UFO Research Queensland (UFORQld)
See also
- J. Allen HynekJ. Allen HynekDr. Josef Allen Hynek was a United States astronomer, professor, and ufologist. He is perhaps best remembered for his UFO research. Hynek acted as scientific adviser to UFO studies undertaken by the U.S. Air Force under three consecutive names: Project Sign , Project Grudge , and Project Blue Book...
- James E. McDonaldJames E. McDonaldJames Edward McDonald was an American physicist. He is best known for his research regarding UFOs. McDonald was senior physicist at the Institute for Atmospheric Physics and professor in the Department of Meteorology, University of Arizona, Tucson.McDonald campaigned vigorously in support of...
- Andrew TomasAndrew TomasAndrew Tomas was a UFO researcher, Freemason and author. An accountant by trade, Thomas was appointed to the position of official Sydney observer for the Australian Flying Saucer Bureau after meeting AFSB founder, Edgar Jarrold.- Personal :Tomas was born in St...
- UFO sightings in AustraliaUFO sightings in AustraliaThis is a list of sightings of alleged unidentified flying objects in Australia.- 1966 :* The Tully Saucer Nest* At around 10:30 a.m on 6 April 1966, many students and some staff at Westall High School , in Rosebank Avenue, Clayton South, Victoria witnessed a UFO fly over their school, and then...
- Unidentified Flying ObjectUnidentified flying objectA term originally coined by the military, an unidentified flying object is an unusual apparent anomaly in the sky that is not readily identifiable to the observer as any known object...
- Valentich disappearanceValentich DisappearanceThe Valentich disappearance refers to the unexplained disappearance on 21 October 1978 of 20-year-old Frederick Valentich while piloting a Cessna 182L light aircraft over Bass Strait in Australia...
- Westall High School UFOWestall High School UFOThe Westall UFO encounter is an event that occurred on 6 April 1966 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Around 11.00 am, for about 20 minutes, more than 200 students and teachers at two Victorian state schools allegedly witnessed an unexplained flying object which descended into a nearby open wild...
Sources
- Auchettl, John, Peter Norris:14 years after, 1992, in PRA Journal, No.7 September 1992, ISSN 1320-0763 http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?v1=1&ti=1,1&Search_Arg=phenomena+Research+Australia&Search_Code=FT*&SL=None&PID=10539&CNT=25&SEQ=20060109203135&SID=3
- Auchettl, John, The Roots of Australian Ufology, Victorian UFO Research Society (VUFORS), 1985, pp34
- Auchettl, John, An Old Australian Phenomenon, The Australian Annual Flying Saucer Review, Victorian UFO Research Society (VUFORS), 1983, pp18–22
- Boyle, Brian, The Early Years: From Saucers to UFOs, Phenomena Research Victoria, 1961
- Bristol, Les, The Victorian UFO report, 1954 : a compilation of reports from the Victorian press, Victorian UFO Research Society (VUFORS), 1978, pp22, State Library of Victoria Call Number: 001.94 F 52 V
- Druffel, Ann, Firestorm: Dr James E. McDonald's fight for UFO Science, Wild Flower Press, 2003, pp609, ISBN 0-926524-58-5, pp170–171
- Fischer, Ray, The Victorian UFO report, 1954 : a compilation of reports from the Victorian press, Victorian UFO Research Society (VUFORS), 1978, pp22, State Library of Victoria Call Number: 001.94 F 52 V
- Holledge, James, Flying Saucers Over Australia, Horwitz Publications Inc, Melbourne, 1965, NL 629.1334 HOL, Bib ID 2071722 http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?v1=1&ti=1,1&Search_Arg=Flying+Saucers+Over+Australia&Search_Code=FT*&SL=None&PID=10539&CNT=25&SEQ=20060109202636&SID=2
- Norman, Paul, Some Highlights in Australian Ufology, The Australian Annual Flying Saucer Review, Victorian UFO Research Society (VUFORS), 1983, pp10–24
- Seers, Stan, UFOs: The Case for Scientific Myopia, Vantage Press, 1983, pp224, ISBN 0-533-05271-8