Aliens and UFOs get top spot at close encounters meeting at Byron Bay in 2017

BELIEVING in alien life is scientifically acceptable but saying little green men visit Earth is one small step too far for many humans. But, if you’re a believer, there’s a conference for you.

UFO conference organisers from Pennant Hills share their story and realistic aliens with us, Mick Turner and Kathryn Hand with a couple of ‘Zetans’. Photo: Adam Ward

BELIEVING in alien life is scientifically acceptable but saying little green men visit Earth is one small step too far for many humans.

Pennant Hills residents Mick Turner and Kathryn Hand believe we have had visitors and are organising a party in Byron Bay to celebrate all things ET — the Close Encounters Conference — on January 15 and 16.

“It’s still a taboo subject. But people should be able to talk about it openly,” Mr Turner said.

“There is a UFO sighting reported every six minutes,” Ms Hand said. “People want to talk about sightings and their beliefs.”

According to a witness, a UFO emerged from the sea near Maslin Beach, South Australia, March 1993 and he managed to photograph his alleged encounter.

At 11am on June 13, 2005 John Walton says he saw object hovering for a few minutes above Creek Rd and snapped this picture.

Ms Hand was an executive PA at Westpac Bank until she was 40, when she decided to follow her passion for the metaphysical and quit her job to become a past-life regression hypnotherapist.

“Although we are having a bit of fun dressing up, we do take the subject very seriously,” Ms Hand said.

UFO conference organisers Mick Turner and Kathryn Hand with Zetans. Picture: Adam Ward

“I’m interested in knowing about the consciousness that exists on other planets and how they interact with us on earth.

“I don’t expect everyone else to take on my point of view but I want people to be comfortable to talk about it.

“I’m not a nuts and bolter, I’m coming at it from a consciousness point of view.”

In October 1959, Rev. William Gill at a meeting of the Victorian Flying Saucer Society holds up a diagram of one of the flying objects he said he saw while on a mission station in New Guinea.

Strange object in sky

Australian Skeptics spokesman Tim Mendham said he’s “disappointed” there was still no credible evidence for aliens visiting earth.

“There are a lot of claims but no evidence that you can rely on,” Mr Mendham said. “Obviously it’s mostly a hobby interest and is fraught with frauds and fakes.

“Skeptics have no problem with the concept of life elsewhere in the universe, which is scientifically established.

“It’s not about that, it’s about (evidence of) beings visiting earth.”

A CSIRO spokesman contacted by the Advocate said there was no evidence “as yet” of interstellar visitation.

The Close Encounters conference keynote speakers are: Mary Rodwell — Founder of Australian Close Encounter Resource Network, Dr Bob Davis (USA) — neuroscientist / author; and Rosemary Ellen Guiley (USA) — researcher / author on paranormal subjects.