Study of Official Australian Government Involvement in the UFO Controversy - A Progress Report

This document is a progress report titled 'Study of Official Australian Government Involvement in the UFO Controversy' authored by Bill Chalker in 1983. The report details the author's extensive research into official Australian government files concerning Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) during 1982. Chalker describes his access to files held by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and the Department of Aviation, noting that he examined 56 files in total. These files were categorized into reports of sightings, enquiries from the public and flying saucer organizations, and policy investigations. The author highlights his efforts to contact other Australian agencies, such as the Director of Naval Intelligence, and overseas departments, including the UK Ministry of Defence and the US National Archives, to gather information on UFO records. A significant portion of the report is dedicated to the 'Valentich Affair,' involving the disappearance of pilot Frederick Valentich and his aircraft VH-DSJ. Chalker discusses his interactions with the Bureau of Air Safety Investigation regarding this case and his attempts to access restricted files. The report also lists various research publications resulting from his findings and outlines special areas of study, including alleged government cover-ups, the Drury film affair, and reports from military personnel and aircraft crews. Chalker notes that while he has examined the majority of RAAF/DAFI holdings, some files remain missing, potentially destroyed during the relocation of the Department of Air in the early 1960s. He concludes by expressing his amazement at the extent of the material he was permitted to review and his commitment to making his findings available to the public while maintaining the confidentiality agreements he signed with the RAAF.