Australian Urban Legends Research Society began in 2005 when Dr. Eleanor Blackwood, a cultural anthropologist specializing in folklore, met James Cooper, a paranormal investigator, at a conference on Indigenous Australian mythology. Both were frustrated by the lack of serious academic attention given to Australia's rich tapestry of urban legends and supernatural stories. They recognized that these tales, whether believed literally or understood metaphorically, formed an important part of Australia's cultural identity.
Starting with just a small team of four researchers and a single website documenting ghost stories from Sydney's historic Rocks district, our organization has grown into Australia's foremost research body dedicated to the documentation and analysis of urban legends, paranormal phenomena, and cryptid sightings across the country.
In 2008, we received our first major grant from the Australian Cultural Heritage Foundation, which allowed us to expand our field research to remote areas where many legendary creatures like the Yowie and the Bunyip are most frequently reported. By 2012, we had established partnerships with Indigenous knowledge keepers, ensuring that our work respectfully incorporated traditional perspectives on supernatural phenomena.
Today, with offices in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, our team of researchers, historians, folklorists, and technical specialists works tirelessly to document, analyze, and preserve Australia's supernatural cultural heritage for future generations. Whether investigating historical hauntings or following up on recent cryptid sightings, we approach every case with scientific rigor, cultural sensitivity, and an open mind.
