TUFOIC Newsletter - No 018 - May 1976

Magazine Overview

Title: TASMANIAN UFO INVESTIGATION CENTRE NEWS LETTER
Issue: No.18
Date: May 1976
Publisher: TASMANIAN UFO INVESTIGATION CENTRE
Country: Australia
Language: English

This issue of the Tasmanian UFO Investigation Centre (TUFOIC) newsletter focuses heavily on a series of UFO sightings in Maydena, Tasmania, dubbed "Maydena's Mystery Lights." The report details multiple encounters from February and March 1976, compiled from witness reports received by the Centre.

Maydena's Mystery Lights

The newsletter begins by detailing sightings from February 17th, 1976, when Wayne Thorpe reported two orange lights approaching from the north-east. These lights slowed, with one descending towards a clearing and disappearing, while the other shot upwards and vanished. A similar sighting occurred on February 19th when Mr. A. Walker observed two orange lights drifting over the Maydena Range, becoming stationary before one descended and disappeared near the ground, and the companion light shot up.

The night of February 21st/22nd brought a multiple-witness report from near the RSL Club, where two orange/red lights were seen moving west. These large, star-sized lights were described as being just below the hillline by some. One witness heard a humming sound. The lights appeared to close together before one sped off to the south-west, and the other faded from view.

Another report from Sunday night (February 22nd) described a lone orange star-like light passing over the town. A witness using binoculars noted it seemed to have a dome on top.

On February 25th, the lights were seen in less than ideal conditions, passing beneath cloud. Again, two lights were observed one above the other, maintaining their position for several minutes before fading away to the south-west.

A significant event occurred on February 26th, headlining the Hobart Mercury as "Hundreds Watch UFO's at Maydena." Geoff Marshall, assisting the Centre, was among the residents who witnessed the lights. The church bell was rung, drawing many people outside. The first light appeared to climb rapidly, followed by a second light that also ascended. Constable Lowery and others reported seeing a white object fall from the leading UFO, which then disappeared.

Attempts to photograph the lights were largely unsuccessful. Some witnesses described the leading UFO as possibly comprising two lights, with a softer orange light at the front, a squiggly-lined area behind it, and a bright orange/yellow light at the back. The lights changed direction and moved off to the south or south-west.

The Centre conducted an investigation during the March long weekend, finding numerous witnesses. Despite efforts, some investigators had fruitless nights. A planned sighting night on March 27th was cancelled due to overcast conditions, yet the lights reportedly flew past that night.

Earlier, on March 10th, two lights were seen following each other from south-west to north-east, and were also observed over Mt. Field East. On the same night, a strange orange/red light was seen moving in a gully at Ellendale.

On March 27th, the two lights were again observed, this time under overcast skies with clouds down to 3000 ft, suggesting the lights were no more than 2000 ft above the town. They travelled over the hill to the south-west. The Mercury reported on March 30th that the RAAF would investigate the phenomena. The last two sightings mentioned were from isolated witnesses on March 30th and April 14th, with the lights heading north-east.

Other Sightings

The newsletter also provides brief details of over 50 other UFO sightings investigated by the Centre in the first three months of 1976. These include:

• April 1973, Bothwell: A light on a hill, followed by a humming sound and a bright white square object with a dome top approaching a house.
• October 1974, South Queenstown: A square object made of white and red lights was seen pacing a car.
• March 1975, Interlaken: A bright light shot across a lake, followed by a yellow light performing erratic maneuvers, and then a bright light shot from behind hills.
• March 1975, Clyde River Bridge: A bright ball of light crossed the sky with a high-pitched whirring sound, curving away and disappearing.
• September 1975, Bradys Lake: A misty white light with an orange-yellow center was seen near the lakeside, then went straight up.
• October 1975, Poatina Hills: Witnesses reported a 6-8ft black figure bounding down a hillside, followed by a tree crash.
• January 1976, Allonah: An orange light shone into a room and lit up the yard, with witnesses seeing an orange light moving east-north-east and behind hills.
• February 1976, Magra: An object approached, halting over Denmark Hill, displaying red, green, and blue pulsing lights. It was described as triangular with a shiny metallic surface and returned, moving off fast when a spotlight was shone on it.
• February 1976, Nive Hill: A bright light paced a truck, maintaining position to the left. The UFO crossed the road ahead, then waited across the Derwent River before returning. It was described as having a bright yellow-white central dome with a banana-shaped body.
• March 1976, North Hobart: A dull red light was seen, replaced by a brilliant white light that pulsed and hovered before moving rapidly southwards.
• April 1976, King Island: A duck shooter reported a cross-like light source moving across a hill, emitting an inverted cone of bright orange light. The light appeared to be 10m across at its base and 20m from its source.

Meetings and Subscriptions

The newsletter concludes with a notice for the next meeting on June 11th at 8 PM at Scots Church Rooms. It also includes a reminder that subscriptions may be due, indicated by a tick on the line. Contact information for Keith Roberts is provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, particularly those involving unexplained lights, and the investigation of these phenomena by the TUFOIC. The editorial stance appears to be one of diligent investigation and reporting of witness accounts, aiming to document and understand UFO activity in Tasmania. The Centre actively seeks information and encourages public reporting of sightings.