Australasian Society for Psychical Research

The Australasian Society for Psychical Research, and the related UFO organization, UFORUM, are the major organizations tracking parapsychological and ufological data in Western Australia. They trace their beginning to the interest aroused at the end of the 1970s at Murdoch University in psychical research by a Professor Frodsham. His talks and media appearances attracted a group that in 1980 formed the West Australia Society for Psychical Research (WASPR). Over the next years some of the initial optimism and interest waned. Then around 1983, the group split. Those more interested in Spiritualism formed another group, the Psychic Development Association. The WASPR evolved into the Australian Society for Psychical Research (ASPR).

The ASPR continued through the 1980s. Then, in 1987, following the publication of Whitley Strieber's book, Communion, they decided that they also had an interest in ufology, especially the abduction phenomenon. They formed a subgroup called UFORUM which has subsequently integrated itself into the international UFO network.

The ASPR, now the Australasian Society for Psychical Research, is headquartered at P.O. Box 626, Applecross 6153, West Australia. Its Journal of Alternative Realities covers the broad interests from UFOs to parapsychology to fortean phenomena. It has a web presence at http://www.ozemail.com.au/~amilani/ufo.html. Through the interest of several members, including vice president Michael Jordan, the ASPR has developed special ties to the Centro Italiano di Parapsychologia, a group promoting the channeling of Corrado Piancastelli.

Sources:

Australasian Society for Psychical Research. http://www.ozemail.com.au/~amilani/ufo.html. March 4, 2000.