Melbourne / Malvern shining circular object — 8 January 1954

A Department of Civil Aviation Air Safety Incident Report dated 8 January 1954 records that the Herald relayed a report from Mr Allan of Malvern. At about 03:00Z, from his backyard, Allan reportedly saw a shining circular object moving very fast toward the bay while trailing red vapour. He was uncertain of its height but estimated a diameter of roughly 20–30 feet. A radar search was requested; the report states that the only return identified was a DC-3 that had departed on a southern diversion. No further phase of the reported object is recorded on the form.