A fascinating outline of Australia's long history of UFO encounters right up to the present day, as told through the voices of pilots, truckies, scientists, researchers, journalists and ordinary folk, including:

• Extremely rare archival sound material from the ABC and other sources.
• Analysis from Australia's most credible researchers.
• Kelly's story - a multiple-witness abduction, and one of the most sensational Australian cases which took place in Victoria's Dandenong Ranges.

Produced by Jamie Leonarder and Matthew Leonard, To Catch a Flying Star was first broadcast on Radio National's feature and documentary program Radio-Eye which can be heard on Sunday evenings. ABCD Radio RADIO National

Black and white photography courtesy of Michael Williams

Special thanks to Kelly Cahill for having the courage to share her story ISBN 0-642-17659-0

GOOD WEEKEND MARCH 18, 1995

write up
To Catch a Flying Star

ABC Audio Tapes $16.95

Ever seen flashing lights in a clear night sky? Ever been abducted by aliens and taken to the outer limits of the galaxy? Well, if you have, you're not alone; nor, for that matter, is planet earth. Australia is a hotbed of UFO activity according to ABC Radio National program Radio Eye, which has compiled accounts from Australians who have experienced "anomalous aerial phenomena".

Former RAAF and Qantas pilot Alan Hennessy tells of seeing a large metallic object from the cockpit of a 747 while en route to Singapore. The object appeared from behind a cloud, seemed to remain stationary as if observing the 747, then ducked back under the cover of cloud.

Kelly Cahill's story of abduction is by far the most disturbing. Having stopped by the side of a country road, Cahill and her companions saw what she describes as a spacecraft and several extremely tall, black beings moving about outside.

Regaining consciousness some time later, they found themselves back in their car with strange marks on their bodies, including a red triangle underneath Kelly's navel, which remained for three months. Their account was verified by three witnesses.

To Catch a Flying Star will force those who believe we are alone to reconsider.

Cassie McCullagh

CONTRIBUTORS
Fiona Scott-Norman and Jean Norman.

RADIO EYE

Sunday, 28 August, 8.30 p. m.

In 1947 Kenneth Arnold, a civilian pilot, was flying over a mountain range in Washington Slate, U.S.A., when he sighted nine teardrop-shaped 'aeroforms.' He described their motion as like a saucer skimming across the surface of water. Since that year the term 'flying saucer' has become part of the 20thcentury's cultural imagination.

Australia has had a wealth of UFO sightings - from the mysterious dancing 'Min-Min' lights, to reports of a spacecraft landing in Parramatta back in 1868. - and hundreds of modern-day citizens are showing sights of trauma which they link to physical contact with UFO's and their occupants.

This program presents some of the most recent aerial experiences from pilots, truckies, scientific researchers and ordinary folk,. We'll visit remote areas in South and Western Australia where serious research is currently underway.

The feature will be followed by an opportunity for listeners to share their 'close encounters' through talkback.

Produced by Jamie Leonarder and Matthew Leonard
Technical Production by John Jacobs
Further enquiries: Nick Franklin, Features and Documentaries (02) 333 1329

RADIO NATIONAL Radio-Eye Features & Documentaries Australian Broadcasting Corporation ABC Ultimo Centre Level 5 700 Harris Street Ultimo 2007 GPO Box 9994 Sydney 2001 Tel (02) 333 1329 (02)333 1336 Fax (02)3331.306 Adelaide 729 A.M Brisbane 792 AM Canberra 846 AM Darwin 657 AM Hobart 585 AM Melbourne 621 Alai Newcastle 1512 AM Sydney 576 AM Perth 810 AM ABCs RADIO

press re/ease

TO CATCH A FLYING STAR IN THE SHOPS!

One of Radio-Eye's most popular programs is now available on cassette in ABC shops! TO CATCH A FLYING STAR is one of the most complete and serious looks at the UFO phenomena ever produced for radio. It contains testimonies from Australian pilots, truckies, researchers, journalists and ordinary folk. The version available is a new and supplemented remix of the original program broadcast last year on Radio National.

Whilst we most often associate so called `flying saucers' with North America, Australia has a long history of oral and recorded sightings. The famous MIN-MIN lights are part of popular bush lore as well as Aboriginal culture.

TO CATCH A FLYING STAR contains rare archival sound and original recordings which take the listener into the centre of Australia's UFO hot spots ... the Nullarbor Plain. The program also contains an exclusive account from Kelly Cahill of her recent astonishing encounter in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges ... a case which has attracted world-wide attention. This commercially available remix of the program 'will go to air on Radio National's feature and documentary program RADIO-EYE at 8:30 pm on Sunday March 19th. The program is 90 minutes in duration.

For further information or interviews please contact coproducer Matthew Leonard at Radio-Eye on (02) 333-1316 or fax on (02) 333-1306. Technical production is by John Jacobs and Matthew Leonard. Original Music and recordings by Anthony Maher. Produced by Jamie Leonarder and Matthew Leonard.