September 1985
The September 1985 issue of the Australian UFO Bulletin. Three major press reprints dominate. 'UFOs Are Bunk' (Melbourne Age, 5 Sep 1985): the sceptical case from Hart, Tipler, Klass, Oberg, and von Hoerner, reprinted in full with a blistering editorial rebuttal by Magee and Norman.
In This Issue
Editorial / “UFOs Are Bunk” Rebuttal (Magee / Norman)
Pages 1-2, with “UFOs Are Bunk” article pages 3-6
“On the UFO Trail” (Paul Norman) , Northern Territory
Pages 3-4
“They Have Landed” (Chronicle and Echo, Northampton, December 1984)
Pages 6-9
“UFOs and the Media” (Charles E. Barnum, MUFON Journal)
Pages 9-12
Premier Wran’s UFO Sighting (NSW, August 1985)
Pages 15-16 (Sunday Telegraph NSW, 8 Sep 1985; and Age, 24 Aug 1985)
NSW Premier Neville Wran and State Agriculture Minister Jack Hallam, aboard a government-chartered Citation jet, sighted a UFO over the NSW north coast on a Thursday morning. The object, “extremely bright and spherical,” was photographed from the cockpit by First Officer Gary Elsass.
Zimbabwe Air Force Jets Chase UFO over Bulawayo (August 1985)
Pages 17-18 (Herald, Harare, 2 Aug 1985; Credit: Cynthia Hind)
Air Marshal Azim Daudpeta (Commander, Air Force of Zimbabwe): "This was no ordinary UFO. Scores of people saw it.
Lithgow Lights and Earth Tremors (NSW, July 1985)
Pages 17
China Sees 600 UFOs Since '80
China’s first UFO seminar at Dalian reported 600+ UFO sightings in five years. China’s UFO research society (established 1981) now had 20,000 members.
Fingal Valley Sighting (Tasmania)
Don Ives (music teacher and former bank manager, Scamander): saw a craft the size of a small plane with porthole-type lights of all colours landing in a gully in the Fingal Valley at 1.45 a.m. “Unless Civil Aviation proves otherwise, yes,” he believed it was extraterrestrial.
Membership News (Steve Partridge)
Pages 20-21
Steve Partridge introduced as new Membership Secretary (succeeding Stafford Hall). Warren Janson and Rick Rendell join as new Committee officers.
Notable Quotes
“This was no ordinary UFO. Scores of people saw it.” Air Marshal Daudpeta (Zimbabwe)
“The one that was sighted over Bulawayo and out-climbed our fighters is obviously one of the 5 per cent that are not explainable.” Air Commodore Thorne (Zimbabwe)
“Quite eerie, quite spooky… I have never come across anything like it before.” Premier Wran (NSW)
“Up till now I’ve been a complete non-believer… this is the most eerie thing I’ve ever experienced.” Dr Warneford (Lithgow)
“The only people he has deceived are those who don’t know anything about UFOs.” Norman (on Klass)
“You’re undoubtedly dealing with something that needs, not sniggering, but downright enlightened interest.” Barnum (MUFON)
“Here he comes from the south. He’s coming towards us now. There appears to be a beam coming down to the ground. It’s unreal.” Lt. Col. Halt (tape)
