On the morning of April 6, 1966, just before the Easter school holidays, an extraordinary event unfolded over Westall High and Primary Schools in Melbourne’s southeast. Around 10:15 a.m., students and teachers attending physical education classes witnessed a silent, silver-white, metallic object, shaped like an inverted bowl and roughly the size of one or two cars, hovering low over the school oval. It flew with speed and control, unlike any aircraft, producing no sound and displaying no wings, markings, or propulsion.

As the news spread, hundreds of students gathered to watch the object manoeuvre rapidly across the sky. Several witnesses reported up to three similar objects. Five light aircraft soon appeared, seemingly attempting to intercept the craft, but were easily outpaced. The main object descended behind nearby pine trees at a property known as The Grange. Students who followed later discovered a large, circular area of flattened, scorched grass, consistent with where the object was seen to land.

Police, military personnel, and emergency services reportedly arrived quickly, sealing off the area. Students were warned not to discuss the incident, despite media attention and front-page newspaper coverage. Over decades, many witnesses have stood by their accounts, while official explanations remain absent.

Today, the Westall incident endures as one of Australia’s most compelling mass UFO sightings, unresolved and deeply embedded in local history.

Kingston Libraries will host the 60th Anniversary of the Westall UFO.

Author Talk with Shane Ryan.

Panel discussion with witnesses.

Oral histories playing in the recording studio throughout the event.

Date: Sunday 12 April

Time: 2pm – 5pm

Location: Westall Library
35 Fairbank Road, Clayton South 3169

This is free event.