Westall UFO Encounter — 200 Students and Teachers Watch Craft Land in Paddock

On April 6, 1966, approximately 200 students and teachers at Westall High School and Westall State School in Clayton South, Victoria, Australia observed an unidentified flying object perform maneuvers over the school grounds, hover, and then descend behind a stand of pine trees into a nearby paddock. Students who ran to the paddock reported seeing a silver disc-shaped object roughly twice the size of a family car resting or hovering just above the grass. The object then rose and accelerated away at high speed. Some witnesses reported seeing five smaller aircraft in the vicinity that appeared to be attempting to pursue or interact with the object. Within hours of the incident, men in plain clothes who witnesses later believed to be government officials arrived at the school. Teachers were reportedly instructed not to discuss the incident with students or media. At least one student who spoke to the press claimed she was called to the principal's office and warned to remain silent. The Westall incident is Australia's most significant mass UFO encounter. Dozens of witnesses have maintained consistent accounts for over five decades, and reunion events have drawn former students who remain convinced of what they observed. No official explanation has ever been offered.