Incident Overview
The Westall UFO Incident occurred on April 6, 1966, in Clayton South, Melbourne, Australia. It is one of Australia’s most compelling UFO cases.
Over 200 students, teachers, and residents reported a silver, disc-shaped object in the sky. Some claimed it landed briefly in a grassy field.
The event, centered around Westall High and State Schools, sparked media attention and local fascination. Military activity shortly after fueled cover-up speculation.
Official explanations pointed to a weather balloon or atmospheric phenomenon. Yet, consistent witness accounts keep the mystery alive, earning it the title “Australia’s Roswell.”
The incident has left a cultural mark with documentaries and a UFO-themed park. Its intrigue lies in the number of witnesses and unresolved questions.
Initial Sighting: April 6, 1966
On April 6, 1966, at around 11:00 AM, students at Westall High School were outside during a break. Science teacher Andrew Greenwood noticed them pointing at the sky.
A silver, disc-shaped object, 20–30 feet in diameter, hovered silently above the school. Witnesses described a metallic sheen and a flat underside.
The UFO descended toward The Grange, now Westall Reserve, landing briefly in a grassy area. Students and teachers from both schools rushed to observe.
Student Marilyn Eastwood saw the object touch down, leaving a flattened grass circle. She described it as saucer-shaped, glowing faintly with no visible markings.
After a few minutes, the object lifted off rapidly into the sky. Some students reported five small aircraft, possibly military, chasing it.
The sighting lasted about 20 minutes, shocking the school community. Local residents soon gathered at the site to investigate.
Additional Observations
After the initial sighting, some reported a second, smaller disc in the sky. It appeared to maneuver alongside the primary object before both vanished.
Local resident John Ryan, living near The Grange, saw the UFO hover over power lines. He noted its smooth, reflective surface and lack of propulsion.
Within 40 minutes, military personnel, including RAAF and Army members, arrived at the site. Witnesses saw them cordon off the landing area.
A circular patch of flattened, discolored grass, about 20 feet wide, was examined. Some reported a faint chemical smell in the area.
School officials instructed teachers and students not to discuss the incident. Andrew Greenwood claimed men in suits warned him against speaking publicly.
Rumors of a second landing site in a nearby pine plantation circulated. Reports of additional grass circles added to the incident’s mystique.
Official Response & Cover-Up
The Australian government, including the RAAF, issued no immediate formal statement. Declassified records later attributed the sighting to a weather balloon.
A Department of Civil Aviation report suggested a research balloon from a meteorological station. No specific balloon launch matched the sighting’s details.
Teacher Andrew Greenwood reported pressure to remain silent. He claimed a senior official warned that discussing the event could harm his career.
School assemblies dismissed the sighting as a balloon or optical illusion. Principals urged students to focus on their studies.
The Dandenong Journal published articles quoting witnesses. Military officials reportedly requested the paper to minimize coverage.
Declassified files from 2011 contained vague references and no radar data. This lack of transparency fuels ongoing cover-up theories.
Investigation & Witness Accounts
UFO researchers Bill Chalker and Paul Norman interviewed dozens of witnesses. Their accounts of the disc-shaped object were remarkably consistent.
The Victorian UFO Research Society collected statements from over 100 people. Witnesses emphasized the object’s unusual movement, unlike known aircraft.
In 2005, Shane Ryan organized a 40th-anniversary reunion. Over 50 former students and teachers shared detailed, corroborating accounts.
Andrew Greenwood described the object’s metallic sheen and rapid ascent. He rejected official explanations until his death.
Some witnesses reported headaches and nausea after approaching the site. These unverified claims echoed other UFO cases, like Rendlesham.
No photographs or physical evidence surfaced publicly. The absence of proof frustrates researchers seeking clarity.
Skeptical Explanations
Skeptics argue the sighting was a weather or research balloon. The government’s balloon explanation aligns with 1960s high-altitude tests.
The flattened grass circle could stem from a whirlwind or downdraft. A chemical smell might relate to local industrial activity.
The object could be a secret military prototype from the nearby RAAF base at Laverton. The 1960s saw testing of experimental aircraft.
Aircraft reportedly chasing the object may have been routine RAAF flights. No flight logs confirm military activity at the time.
Mass hysteria, fueled by 1960s UFO fascination, may have amplified the event. Films like The Day the Earth Stood Still shaped perceptions.
The lack of photographs, despite camera access, supports non-extraterrestrial explanations. No radar data or debris was found.
Impact and Legacy
The Westall UFO Incident is Australia’s most famous UFO case. It’s compared to Roswell and Varginha for its witness credibility.
The 2010 documentary Westall ’66: A Suburban UFO Mystery featured witness interviews. It highlighted the community’s lasting fascination.
Westall UFO Park, near the landing site, features a model flying saucer. Annual reunions keep the incident alive in Clayton South.
The 1960s UFO craze, post-War of the Worlds, amplified the story. Media coverage shaped public views of extraterrestrial visits.
In 2025, a former student claimed to see a second object in the pines. Such testimonies fuel ongoing debate.
The Westall Incident remains a polarizing mystery. Its legacy unites a community around an unresolved enigma.