TUFOIC Newsletter - No 016 - September 1975

Magazine Overview

This is the September 1975 issue (Number 16) of the "TASMANIAN UFO INVESTIGATION CENTRE NEWS SHEET". The publication is celebrating its tenth anniversary, having been conceived in October 1965. The issue highlights the evolving nature of UFO reports in Tasmania and details recent sightings investigated by the Centre.

Centre's Tenth Anniversary and Evolving Phenomena

The Centre notes that the UFO phenomena seems more complex now than it did ten years ago, with interest growing at a scientific level in the United States and France. The nature of reports in Tasmania has also changed; sightings once confined to distant locations are now occurring locally in places like Runnymede, Gladstone, and the Derwent Valley. Early reports primarily involved "nocturnal lights," but in recent years, the Centre has handled more complex cases, including "automobile stoppings," "car pacings," and "landings."

Participation in UFOCON

The Centre announced its participation in UFOCON, a meeting of responsible UFO groups to be held at Gosford, NSW, during October. The goal of UFOCON is to present the UFO phenomenon as a subject meriting continued scientific investigation.

Future Activities and Reporting

Looking ahead, the Centre plans to continue recording facts about local sightings and passing on details of unexplained low-level reports to the Australian Centre for UFO Studies. This Australian body then forwards the reports to its parent organization in the United States for analysis and computer programming.

Sightings Investigations

Despite the previous year producing more unexplained sightings, the Centre has remained active, investigating over 40 sightings in the current year, compared to approximately 30 cases in the three months of June to August of the previous year.

Specific Sightings Detailed:

• 12.5.75 HOWRAH: A Sydney visitor filmed a strange black/grey balloon-like object moving slowly west over Tranmere Hills, which disappeared behind hills. The report is under investigation by the RAAF.
• 18.6.75 HOWRAH: A family observed a football-shaped object over Kingston at 11 pm. It moved south for 15 seconds, then slowed and moved southwards for the next hour before fading. It was described as white with a red rim flashing.
• 26.6.75 RUNNYMEDE: Mr D.Newall reported seeing red flashing lights around the base of a dark grey oval object, estimated at 18ft wide and 40ft high, approximately 400 yards off the road on the Tasman Highway. The object approached Mr Newall as he drove away.
• 27.6.75 MT FAULKNER: A similar object was reported by a motorist heading towards Granton. At 6 pm, a series of lights with a distinct red light in the centre was observed over Mt Faulkner.
• 16.7.75 CAMPBELLTOWN: A milk tanker driver and his passenger reported a long or bus-shaped object pacing their tanker at 8:05 pm, about 2 miles south of Campbelltown. Initially mistaken for a star, it approached, appearing bigger and brighter with an orange colour beneath. It was estimated to be 200 yards away and very low, pacing the tanker for 20 seconds before disappearing south. Dark patches were noted on its side. Ten minutes later, near Tunbridge, the object reappeared from the west and passed ahead of the tanker.
• 21.7.75 MIDWAY POINT: Mrs Salter witnessed a puzzling circular-shaped bright orange object at 5:45 am for 4 minutes. It was very low over trees, appearing in front of distant hills, with a pulsing edge. It eventually seemed to get smaller and move away.
• 31.7.75 RUNNYMEDE: A woman motorist east of Runnymede reported lights above a roadside paddock, resembling two large headlights 100 yards off the road, with a steady red light underneath and a bright blue beam shining down. She reported it to Sorell police. Rumours of a truck being stopped and a car pacing on the same road were also noted, but witnesses had not been located.
• 3.8.75 CYGNET: A strange roaring ball of yellow light with blue sparklers entered a witness's bedroom at 1:30 am, despite no open doors or windows. It suddenly went off, and the noise continued for another 10 seconds before fading. The noise was heard by neighbours.
• 9.8.75 STANLEY: A large light, estimated to be 20 times star-sized, was seen out over the sea north-east of Stanley. It was initially observed by Mrs V.Brooks and then by Mr B.Cox.
• 14.8.75 STRAHAN: Mr and Mrs P.Gonn reported a UFO that looked like a ball of flame, passing directly above their house at West Strahan at 7 pm, heading west. The sighting lasted 4 minutes and was accompanied by a whooshing noise.

1972 Report of Object on Lyell Highway

Mrs M. Harris provided details of an object encountered on the Lyell Highway on July 5th, 1972. Her husband's driving was interrupted by a bright, fluorescent light on the road. The object lifted into the air, its lights blinking out. They observed an oval-shaped object with a small beam of light from each end on a side embankment. The following day, a distinct flattened area in the undergrowth was found where the object had been.

Related Trace Evidence:

• May 1971: Flattened areas of undergrowth were found at Lynchford, south of Queenstown, following humming noises and dog reactions.
• Last Summer (1974/75): Three patches of button grass forming a triangle and a crescent-shaped indentation were found near the King River, reported by the Strahan Police Officer.

Lewisham Sighting (1972)

George Mc Hugh reported a sighting on October 21, 1972, near Lewisham. He saw a UFO about 2 am that cruised along a valley, illuminating stock with a powerful light beam. He estimated the craft to be half the size of a modern jumbo jet and noted it was pulsing. The sighting lasted three minutes before the UFO flew quickly towards Port Arthur.

UFO Sighted by Boys Near Maryborough (1975)

The Townsville Daily Bulletin reported on June 20, 1975, about a sighting by two youths, Tony Wynne (16) and Warren Witherington (17), in the Maryborough district. They saw flashing lights over Dayman Point, Urangan, around 7:30 pm, witnessed by about 50 people. The experience was described as eerie, causing neighbourhood dogs to bark and cats to howl. The youths reported experiencing neck pains that subsided when the lights disappeared. They observed the lights flashing up and down before splitting into two sections. They also mentioned similar flashing lights reported at Gunalda the previous week.

Line on UFO... The Australian (1975)

A group of railway workers on the transcontinental line near Zanthus, West Australia, reported seeing an unidentified flying object three times in the past fortnight, the last being a huge saucer-shaped object with flashing lights that appeared to land near them.

Upcoming Meeting

The next meeting is scheduled for October 10th at the Scots Church Rooms, Bathurst Street, for the Centre's Annual Meeting.

Contact Information

Sightings can be reported to the Centre on 72 7479 (daytime) or 23 6009 (after 6 pm). Correspondence should be sent to the Secretary, 366 Huon Rd, Sth Hobart, 7000.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the documentation and investigation of UFO/UAP sightings, the evolution of reported phenomena, and the pursuit of scientific credibility for the subject. The editorial stance appears to be one of diligent record-keeping and a commitment to scientific inquiry, as evidenced by the Centre's participation in UFOCON and its collaboration with national and international UFO research organizations. There is a clear emphasis on presenting factual accounts of sightings and associated evidence.