The Bendigo UFO Wave 1983

A SUSPECTED Bendigo UFO sighting features in a federal file that chronicles unexplained sky activity.

The National Archives of Australia has released “X Files” documents under its 30-year rule.

The files include reports of two RAAF Mirage jets being placed on the second highest level of alert to ascertain what had caused unidentified radar contacts in New South Wales.

The only images in the file relate to a Bendigo incident from 1983.

Bendigo was abuzz with speculation about unusual light activity that lasted for days in late May 1983.

Maiden Gully’s Russell Henthorn, who was 16 at the time of the sightings, snapped a photograph that authorities would later send to America for analysis.

Fellow teenager Mike Evans, 17, captured the unusual activity and attracted media attention for his images, which also went to America for testing.

He was a 3BO disc jockey and had been alerted to the incident by callers to the station.

“From my memory, there were quite a few sightings over a five-day period,” Mr Henthorn told the Bendigo Advertiser yesterday. “We were in Melbourne over the weekend when Mike had taken his photos.

“When we came home, I was an inquisitive 16-year-old and a bit starstruck by it all.

“It was pretty exciting but scary as well. Back then I thought that it may be a UFO.”

The RAAF sent an investigator to Bendigo to assess the reports of the sightings and interview Mr Henthorn and Mr Evans.

Mr Henthorn said he took 16 photos and documented the time and exposure settings of his photos.

He said authorities used his notes in their investigation.

The photos also featured in the Bendigo Advertiser along with witness reports between May 23-27.

“When I had my film developed, I was not sure what it was but I was amazed to see a structure,” Mr Henthorn said. “I rang and reported it to the Addy and I came in and they had a look at my photos and blew them up.

“It was my 15 minutes of fame. It was a bit of fun.”

Mr Henthorn yesterday viewed online the image in the X-Files and said he believed it was one of the photos Mr Evans had taken.

He said he believed the sighting was a star.

“A few times a week I look up at the night’s sky with interest and wonder,” Mr Henthorn said.

The files state an anonymous caller to the RAAF said the lights were caused by a rock group experimenting with laser lighting.

The report said they were probably caused by train headlights or lasers or from planets or stars. There had been unusual weather atmospherics on the night.

Mr Henthorn donated his film of the sightings to the Bendigo District Astronomical Society to mark the 25th anniversary of the incident.

- Brett Worthington and Tim Barlass (Sydney Morning Herald)

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