On April 6, 1966, over 200 students and teachers at Westall High School in Melbourne, Australia, witnessed a large, silent, disc-shaped object descend from the sky and land in a nearby open field known as The Grange. The mass sighting, which lasted for approximately 20 minutes, also involved reports of several smaller aircraft pursuing the object.1 The Westall UFO encounter remains one of Australia's most significant and intriguing mass sightings, with many witnesses maintaining their accounts despite official explanations.2
The Sighting
At around 11:00 AM, students at Westall High School observed a silver or grey disc-shaped object, estimated to be about twice the size of a family car, moving silently through the sky.3 The object reportedly descended behind a row of trees into The Grange, an open area south of the school. Some witnesses described the object as having a domed top and appearing to "thicken" at times. Shortly after, several smaller, unidentified aircraft, possibly Cessnas, were seen circling and making erratic maneuvers as if attempting to intercept the UFO.4
Aftermath and Investigation
Following the sighting, many students rushed to The Grange, where some reported finding a circular area of flattened or burnt grass, suggesting a landing site.1 Local newspapers, including The Dandenong Journal, covered the event prominently. However, initial media reports, such as one in The Age, suggested the object might have been a weather balloon.2 There were also widespread reports that "men in suits" cautioned witnesses not to discuss details of a secret government exercise, leading to speculation of a cover-up.5 The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) denied any knowledge of unusual aircraft activity, and official explanations often pointed to weather balloons or experimental aircraft, though many witnesses, including a science teacher, continued to challenge these claims.6