The truth is out there. Or perhaps it was once flashing across the skies of Northern Queensland? Join us as we delve into one of the more tantalising police records held in the Queensland State Archives: “ITM373641 – Unidentified Flying Objects“.
A flurry of strange sightings occurred in the skies above Northern Queensland in the 1950s and 1960s. From unidentified aerial objects to unexplained lights, these reports captured the interest of locals and warranted investigation by the police, air force and aviation authorities.
Were these mere misidentifications? Or something more extraordinary? We invite you to join the discussion and share your thoughts and experiences with the unusual, the unexplained and the uncertain in the comments section below.
5 June 1961 – A “dull star” appears above Millaa Millaa
The usual quiet of a wintery night in Far North Queensland was disturbed when multiple eyewitnesses reported the appearance of strange object in the skies. Over three hours, their detailed accounts in police reports reveal the object’s mysterious appearance and disorienting behaviour. (Please note: the text below has been edited where necessary to enhance clarity. All changes have been clearly marked.)
“At 12.55pm, two farmer brothers[,] William and Arthur BEECHINO [,] reported to Senior Constable Anderson, Officer in Charge Police, Millaa Millaa, that at about 11.30[am] they observed [an object] in the sky over Millaa Millaa. It was moving about at a high altitude but when reported was more or less stationary.
Sen. Const. Anderson observed the object through fields glasses and was also approached by Terrance Seary, [a] schoolteacher [and] an ex-R.A.A.F. [Royal Australian Air Force] navigator of Milla Milla [sic] who also viewed the object in the company of townspeople.”
From page 50 of Police Correspondence, ITM373641
Senior Constable Anderson’s own report adds more detail on the strange behaviour of the object.
“I then got my binoculars and located this object[,] which was as about half-way between the zenith and the horizon[,] and approximately due west of Millaa Millaa. To the naked eye[,] this object appeared to be a dull star, but with binoculars[,] it appeared as a round sphere which turned and became cone shaped[.] At the same time[,] the thin end of the cone appeared to turn a red colour.
From page 47 of Police Correspondence, ITM373641
At 1.24pm[,] it commenced to turn and glow red and then move towards the East. After moving slowly for about 3 feet, it suddenly picked up speed and flashed across the sky in an Easterly direction at a terrific speed and disappeared in about 2 seconds. About 10 seconds later[,] it was found that the object had returned to its original position, although it was not seen returning.
At 1.40pm[,] it again flashed across the sky, but this time in a South-Easterly direction[.] And at 1.45pm[,] it disappeared in a Southerly direction and at 2pm[,] it travelled in a North-Easterly direction. On each occasion after it had disappeared across the sky, on looking back[,] it was found to have returned to its original position. It then commenced to sink towards the horizon and finally disappeared at 2.50pm.”
“Measurements of [the] object were not discernible and several residents with late model cameras endeavoured to photograph it but were unable to get [the] object into focus. Object disappeared from view at Milla Milla [sic] at 1450 hours [2.50pm] travelling in westerly direction. “
From page 49 of Police Correspondence, ITM373641
Trying to track down the mystery object, the police sought help from other local authorities.
“METEOROLOGICAL STATION CAIRNS AIRPORT ADVISED OF OBJECT BUT WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST IN IDENTIFICATION STOP FLIGHT LIEUTENANT DARBY DUTY OFFICER RAAF HEADQUARTERS TOWNSVILLE ADVISED THAT PILOT OFFICER STEWART IN A WINJEEL AIRCRAFT WAS LEAVING TOWNSVILLE TO SEARCH MILLAA MILLAA AREA AND INVESTIGATE STOP RESIDENTS MILLAA MILLAA AREA CONCERNED WITH PRESENCE OF OBJECT STOP INSPECTOR GILL CAIRNS AND INSPECTOR CANTWELL TOWNSVILLE ADVISED STOP ANY INFORMATION REGARDING IDENTIFICATION OF THIS OBJECT WHICH MAY BE AVAILABLE WOULD BE APPRECIATED[.]”
From page 48 of Police Correspondence, ITM373641
10 June 1961: “I have no doubt he saw something…”
A few days later, another sighting of this strange object occurred an hour away at Mount Garnet, in Queensland’s Tablelands region.
“A truck driver aged 63 years, reported to me that he saw a flying object which he could not identify[,] pass almost directly over his house at Mount Garnet on the 10th. June, 1961 at a height of 600 feet [approximately 200m] (more or less). The time of sighting was 6-30pm.”
From page 45 of Police Correspondence, ITM373641
The truck driver, Mr Jones, provided the police with a drawing of what he saw that evening.
“Jones had the object in view for 8 or 9 seconds. It came from a South-Westerly direction and disappeared in a North-Easterly direction. It was flying exceptionally fast, but made no sound.
The object appeared to be approximately 8 feet wide and deep [approximately 2.5m]. It had an oval shaped top, which was light coloured and wedge shaped bottom which was dark coloured[,] with light coloured stripes. Behind it was a trail of what appeared to be b[l]ack smoke[,] or vapour[,] which did not linger in the air, but followed along like a tail. The object flew along[,] tilted in a forward position.
At 6-30pm on 11th. June, 1961, Jones again sighted what he took to be the same flying object. It was travelling in the same direction as previously. This time it passed some distance to the South of Mount Garnet, too far away to distinguish any colouring. But, the second object was the same shape as the first and had the same tail[,] or trail[,] behind it.
Mr. Jones is normally a very level headed man. He is not a crank or crack-pot and as far as I know, is usually truthful. I have [no] doubt that he saw something. “
From page 45 of Police Correspondence, ITM373641
24 June 1965: “[T]he object was travelling at a terrific rate of speed…”
In 1965, R.A. Roberts, a grazier from Daunia Station near Nebo, reported on the odd sight he saw at 6.45pm on 24 June 1965.
“I saw that it was dome shaped with a row of brilliant bluish white lights[,] with a bright red tail at the rear[.] [T]he colour of the red tail did not vary and the flame was a constant size. It approached from the west and turned about a mile [approximately 1.5km] from where I was standing and headed off in a North Easterly direction. I could hear no engine noises. I could not see any legs hanging down from under the dome[.] [N]othing was visiable [visible] owing to the brilliance of the lights[.] [T]he bottom of the dome appeared to be black. The object was travelling at a terrific rate of speed[.] I would have no idea what the speed would be as I have never seen anything travel so fast[.] It did not appear to increase or decrease its speed whilst I had it in view [.] I had the object in sight for about half a minute.”
From page 35 and 36 of Police Correspondence, ITM373641
Senior Constable R. W. Rooke, having known and trusted Roberts for four years, followed up on his claims.
“I went to the scene and found that a tract of country did[,] in fact[,] look as if it had been subjected to intense heat[.] [B]ut the leaves on the trees[,] although black and burnt looking[,] were pliable and moist.
The tract of country was 200 yards wide [approximately 180m] and went for a distance of about one and a half miles [approximately 2.4km] around a small mountain and continued on for another 4 miles [approximately 6.4km] [and] then stopped.”
From page 35 and 36 of Police Correspondence, ITM373641
24 June 1965: “A strange figure” in a crevice in Castle Hill, Townsville
Some mysterious incidents detailed in this fascinating record could be explained, upon closer investigation.
A strange figure that appeared to be wearing clothes was spotted in a crevice on the side of Castle Hill, Townsville on 24 June 1965. Upon closer investigation, as per the excerpt below, this mysterious shape revealed itself to be something more familiar.
Sir,
I have to report in respect to above[,] that the object lodged in a crevice in the face of Castle Hill could not be identified with binoculars[.] [And] a length of rope was obtained from the Marine Section of the R.A.A.F. Townsville and a member of the R.A.A.F. Marine Section was lowered over the cliff. [And] he identified the object as an empty carton of Fosters lager. He removed the carton and the rope was returned.
From page 13 of Police Correspondence, ITM373641
You can read through these reports yourself through our catalogue. What prompted so many people to turn their eyes to the sky in Northern Queensland during the 1950s and 1960s? What other mysterious incidents didn’t make it into this file?
Only a small part of the collection at Queensland State Archives has been digitised so far. What other mysterious might you find if you were to join us here in our Reading Room in Runcorn?
The truth is out there. Or perhaps it’s waiting for you in the largest documentary collection of Queensland history?
