East Gippsland , Australia Sighting of a strong beam of light at ground level , then assending into the sky .First observed bright light shining directly towards me . Dark clear night (no moon)Object maybe 1 to 2 Klms away and only 100 to 200 metres from the ground . As the light became brighter , and closer , I hid behind a tree near the roadway , while keeping full view .Object changed direction and went upwards , the light from it,s beam became dimmer the higher it travelled . The light then changed direction again and seemed to put on " after burners " . It was travelling at phenominal speed and directly vertical into the atmosphere and deep space .It headed towards " Orion " area . The object became dimmer the further it travelled , until I couldn,t see it anymore .