March 1981
The March 1981 issue of the Australian UFO Bulletin. 17 pages. 'The Secrecy Question' editorial (CIA cover-up as bureaucratic embarrassment rather than conspiracy). Ahmad Jamaludin's formal academic paper 'UFOs and Earthquakes: Are They Related?' (85% of 60,000 UFO events near fault lines).
In This Issue
Editorial: The Secrecy Question
Pages 1-2
A measured analysis proposing that the government cover-up may conceal embarrassment as much as conspiracy: “After years of extensive research the CIA knows that UFOs, as an unnatural phenomena, do exist. However, they have no idea where they originate or, perhaps more important, their reason for being here.”
UFOs and Earthquakes: Are They Related? (Ahmad Jamaludin, Malaysia)
Pages 3-5
Formal academic paper with abstract, introduction, correlations, discussion, and references (12 citations including FSR, Persinger & Lafreniere, Hynek, MUFON).
Book Review: “The Devil’s Meridian” by Kevin Killey and Gary Lester (John Auchettl)
Pages 7-9
228 pages, 14 chapters. The book argues Bass Strait is “the Australian equivalent to the Bermuda Triangle.” Documents vanishings from 1858 (16-gun naval vessel Sappho) through 1979.
Perth RAAF Macchi Jet Scrambled (6 December 1980)
Pages 9
RAAF scrambled a Macchi jet after four UFOs were sighted and tracked by radar over Perth. Air traffic controller Graham Moyle and other controllers made visual sightings 8-11 a.m.
Perth Earthquake Belt
Pages 10
Juxtaposed with the UFO-earthquake paper: “In the past two years, 446 earthquakes have shaken houses and people throughout the State.” Earthquake activity “now on a par with the seismic energy released in California.” The increased activity “associated with greater pressure being put on the continental plate on which Australia is centred.”
On the UFO Trail (Paul Norman)
Pages 10-11+
Norman recalls 1959: hearing Father Gill’s voice on Nashville radio describing his New Guinea sighting. “Back in those days, it was a brave man indeed who reported a light in the sky, let alone a craft with humanoids aboard.” Also visiting the area of the Mantell case (1948 interceptor disintegration).
“Hangar 18” Movie Report
Sunn Classics’ fictional film about government UFO retrieval. Company president: “Almost 80% of the population believes literally” that flying saucers exist and government has contact but won’t tell.
Notable Quotes
“The huge, expensive cover up may not conceal just an explosive revelation but also embarrassment and frustration.” Editorial (on CIA cover-up)
“85 percent of some 60,000 UFO events were sighted near geological fault lines.” Ahmad Jamaludin
“They must give us our only possible live view of what may have happened to VALENTICH.” John Auchettl (on Manifold photos)
“Almost 80% of the population believes literally” Sunn Classics president
“It was a brave man indeed who reported a light in the sky, let alone a craft with humanoids aboard.” Paul Norman (on Father Gill, 1959)
