The Westall UFO Encounter

On April 6, 1966, at approximately 11:00 AM, over 200 students and teachers at Westall High School in Melbourne, Australia, witnessed a UFO descend and land near their school. The incident lasted about twenty minutes and was followed by what witnesses describe as intimidation by authorities who told them to remain silent.

The Sighting

Students were outside during a break when someone noticed a gray, saucer-shaped object descending toward a paddock known as The Grange. The object appeared to land briefly before rising again and departing at high speed.

Students ran toward the area. Some claim they reached the landing site before officials arrived. They described finding a circular impression in the grass, with the vegetation swirled as if pressed down by a rotating force.

Multiple Objects

Some witnesses reported seeing not one but multiple objects—the main craft and smaller objects that appeared to be accompanying it. Five small aircraft were also seen in the area, apparently chasing or observing the UFOs.

Official Response

What followed the sighting troubled witnesses for decades. Men in suits arrived at the school and spoke with the principal. Students were assembled and told not to discuss what they had seen. Some witnesses report being individually warned by men who identified themselves as military or government officials.

Teachers who supported the students’ accounts were reportedly transferred. The local newspaper published a brief story, but further coverage was discouraged.

Long-Term Investigation

In recent years, documentary filmmaker Shane Ryan conducted extensive interviews with witnesses for the film “Westall ‘66: A Suburban UFO Mystery.” He found remarkable consistency among people who had not spoken to each other in decades.

Witnesses remained troubled not only by what they saw but by the official response, which suggested the incident was significant enough to warrant suppression.

Assessment

The Westall encounter is notable for the number of witnesses—over 200—and their relative youth at the time, which means many are still alive and available for interview. The consistency of accounts across fifty-plus years, combined with evidence of official interest in suppressing the story, suggests something genuinely unusual occurred.

What landed at Westall that autumn morning—and why authorities wanted it forgotten—remains Australia’s most significant UFO mystery.