TUFOIC Newsletter - No 007 - 1971

Magazine Overview

This issue of TUFOIC, identified as being from 'IN 1971', is the Annual Report for that year from The Tasmanian Unidentified Flying Objects Investigation Centre. It details various UFO sightings and investigations conducted in Tasmania. The cover prominently features the headline 'LOW LEVEL UFO SEEN AT BRIGHTON' and an illustration of a domed object.

TUFOIC 1971/72 Membership and Meetings

The organization meets every two months, with a list of meeting dates for 1972 provided: February 11th, April 14th, June 2nd, August 11th, October 13th, and December 8th. Membership includes borrowing library books and magazines, and access to Annual Reports and Newsheets for an annual subscription of $2.50, or $1.25 for students and pensioners. Prospective members are welcome at meetings.

TUFOIC on Radio

TUFOIC participated in the radio program 'Talking Point' on Radio 7HO on August 12th, discussing UFOs, theories, sightings, and landings. Despite the program prompting listeners to contact TUFOIC, few did, though two reports were received later from individuals who heard the broadcast. TUFOIC expressed thanks to 7HO for the publicity.

Sightings Summary 1971

The year 1971 was characterized by varying levels of UFO activity. There were two main periods of high report volume: May to July, and a significant 'flap' in December. Activity was low in the periods between September and November. The report highlights several interesting cases, including a 'Dome Light on Mt Wellington', a 'Landing at Lynchford?', a 'Car paced at Cethana', a 'Bell shaped UFO at Brighton', and multiple landings at Wilmot. The December 'flap' generated a large number of reports, stretching TUFOIC's resources. The organization also noted a continuation of low-level sightings and the exchange of information with the 'UFO Observer' from Launceston. The folding of the Tas Flying Saucer Observers Ass. was noted, with their files being added to TUFOIC's records. In total, over 50 reports were received, with many having plausible explanations like Venus, planes, or satellites, but some remaining unexplained.

TUFOIC Investigations 1971

Dome Light on Mt. Wellington

An incident from December 18th/19th, 1970, involved three youths witnessing bright lights above Mt. Wellington. Initially appearing as three separate lights, they merged into one oval light. An explanation involving H.E.C. searchlights was dismissed. The lights were observed from New Town and later from the Pinnacle, with no clear explanation found. A subsequent sighting involved a star-like light descending to a bright dome-shaped area near Thark Ridge, with other lights approaching it. The location was a rough, uninhabited mountainside at 4,000 feet, and no landing marks were found.

"Cobwebs from the Sky"

Reports of stringy, greasy 'cobwebs' falling on Montello were investigated. Scientists identified the substance as webs of newly hatched parasitic spiders carried by wind. The report questions how these webs, originating from South Australia, drifted to Tasmania with south-westerly winds.

The UFOs Land.....

#### UFO Hunt Moves to Launceston

An investigation was prompted by reports of bright lights and flattened undergrowth in the Launceston area. A man reported seeing three lights (red, white, and blue) land in a paddock near Norwood. The TUFOIC Bureau found a flattened area of undergrowth and dense bracken, about 10 ft. in diameter, with no specific shape.

#### Car Paced at Cethana

On July 15th, a witness travelling home to Wilmot reported a round, coal-red object pacing his vehicle at low altitude and speed. The object, estimated to be the size of a 10.00 x 20 tyre, traveled behind timber growth and paced the car for about 15 minutes before disappearing down a gully.

Landing at Lonely Lynchford?

Prior to a reported incident at Lynchford, a strange roaring noise was heard in Whiteford. At Lynchford, a witness was awoken by barking dogs and a humming noise. The next day, a flattened area of grass and blackberries, approximately 30 x 15 ft. with spiral swirls and six indentations, was found. This incident was widely reported. Explanations like heavy dews or stray animals were considered but did not account for all facts. Further puzzling incidents included a car with an electrical fault near the site, watches stopping for visitors, and the death of a four-month-old kitten. Six flattened areas were found in total, with samples of grass and earth sent for testing but yielding no unusual results. The report references famous UFO landing sites like the Tully Nests.

Bell-Shaped UFO Seen at Brighton

On June 19th, 1971, a witness at Brighton Army Camp observed a squat bell-shaped object with a dull silver body and a white hazy vapor, appearing to have a glass dome. The object, estimated at 15 ft. high and 20 ft. across, hovered, moved, and then emitted a rainbow-colored exhaust before rising and shooting off at high speed.

Why Wilmot? (Even more landings)

On June 24th, a witness in Wilmot reported a round, bright white light landing in a paddock. Later, the object displayed multiple smaller lights. Animal reactions were noted, and the object vanished without sound or smoke. TUFOIC found no rational explanation for this case.

Second Landing at Wilmot?

On July 9th, a witness in Narrawa reported seeing a strange bright white light in a paddock, estimated at 16 ft. long by 4 ft. high. The object flared and flickered, moved horizontally, and then changed to a red color. It was later seen in another paddock. Explanations involving moon reflections on fog banks were considered but dismissed for this case.

September Lights?

Following publicity and radio programs, TUFOIC received several reports in the weeks after the Lynchford case. Most were explained as flares, planets, or meteorites. On August 15th, reports from various locations suggested a meteorite shower or space debris re-entry. On August 28th, a sighting of maneuvering yellow-white lights was reported near the Brooker Highway. On September 7th, two patrons at the East Side Drive-In reported a large star-like light with a smaller light. On September 26th, two people saw a round, blue-white light at Jericho that reversed direction and disappeared upwards.

The December Flap

The 'flap' began on December 3rd with a sighting of a saucer-shaped, white and gold object from Sandy Bay beach. The rest of the month saw a steady flow of reports, totaling about two dozen. Good media coverage and radio appearances provided TUFOIC with publicity, leading to many direct contacts from witnesses.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the detailed investigation of UFO sightings in Tasmania, the challenges in finding rational explanations for many events, and the consistent reporting of unusual aerial phenomena. TUFOIC appears to maintain an open but analytical stance, documenting cases thoroughly and seeking evidence-based conclusions, while acknowledging the existence of genuinely unexplained incidents. The organization actively engages with the public through meetings, radio appearances, and publications like this annual report, encouraging the reporting of new sightings. The editorial stance is one of diligent investigation and information dissemination within the field of UFO research.

This issue of "UFO Reports" (Issue 10) delves into the history and analysis of UFO sightings within Tasmania, Australia, covering a period from 1948 to 1971. The publication aims to document and investigate unexplained aerial phenomena, encouraging public participation in reporting.

New Norfolk Sightings

The issue details several sightings in the New Norfolk area. One incident involved the Moults and Mr. de Blas observing a light that responded to a spotlight. Later, the Moults returned to investigate, noting the object's movement and the appearance of other lights that merged with it. The case was left unexplained. Another significant event in New Norfolk on December 14th involved three teenagers and an adult witnessing a saucer-shaped object with a silver base and orange flickering dome, visible for a few minutes before ascending. This sighting was followed by a mysterious clap-bang explosion heard across the area, the cause of which remained unknown.

Other Tasmanian Sightings

Beyond New Norfolk, the magazine chronicles various other reported incidents across Tasmania. A sighting on December 15th near Bridgewater described an oval-disc object shining like a mirror. On December 22nd, a witness near Fern Tree observed a shiny gold-yellow disc with a trailing pipe. Older reports are also included, such as a Levendale sighting from April 23, 1963, where a yellow disc-shaped light approached a witness who was spotlighting for rabbits. The object circled closer, lighting up the ground with a beam before moving away. Another case from October 1965 in Granton involved the Gunton family reporting a dark, elliptical object with multi-colored beams that rose silently and ascended rapidly.

Calendar of Main Reports (1970-1971)

A comprehensive calendar lists numerous reports from 1970 and 1971. These include sightings of blue/white saucers, orange discs, yellow-white discs, pulsating objects, white saucers in formation, red-blue-yellow-white UFOs, white lights, and orange football-shaped objects. Some reports mention objects landing, crushing undergrowth, or moving erratically. The calendar also notes potential explanations such as Venus, meteor showers, or aircraft.

Analysis of Sightings by K. Roberts

K. Roberts provides an analysis of UFO reports in Tasmania over approximately 20 years. The author acknowledges the difficulty in evaluating sightings and credits Mr. E. Bantick for providing newspaper cuttings dating back to 1950. The analysis notes that prior to 1965, reports were mainly from newspapers like "The Mercury," "Examiner," and "Advocate." Since 1965, reports have also been made directly to T.U.F.O.I.C. and other organizations. The "Insufficient Information" classification is noted as comprising a significant portion of early cases. The analysis indicates a slight increase in reports from 1950/51, a peak around 1954/55, and further build-ups in 1957/58 and 1959, coinciding with international UFO flaps. The formation of UFO groups in the mid-sixties has led to a steadier flow of reports, with a recent trend towards more low-level sightings in localized areas.

Statistical Breakdown

The issue includes tables analyzing sightings by year from 1948 to 1971, categorizing reports into "UFO's," "Possible UFO's," and "Reports Explained." A separate analysis breaks down the total number of sightings (379) into categories such as "U.F.O." (37), "Possible U.F.O." (59), "Insufficient Information" (110), "Astronomical Phenomena" (101), "Meteorological" (16), "Acroplanes" (16), and "Satellites" (14). Explanations for some sightings include weather balloons, sky rockets, fungus/spiders' webs, workmen/buildings, flares, lens analysis, scrub fires, and possible hoaxes.

Call for Reports

The publication concludes with a strong call to action, urging readers to "DONT FORGET UFO REPORTS TO TUFOIC." Contact information for Sighting Officers K. Bennetto and K. Roberts, along with a mailing address, is provided, emphasizing the ongoing nature of T.U.F.O.I.C. investigations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the documentation and analysis of UFO sightings in Tasmania, the challenges of classifying and explaining these phenomena, and the importance of public reporting for ongoing investigation. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, presenting reported cases and statistical data while acknowledging the difficulty in reaching definitive conclusions for many incidents. There is a clear emphasis on collecting and preserving UFO-related information for future study.