TUFOIC Newsletter - No 020 - 1977

Magazine Overview

This issue of the "UFO" magazine, dated 1977 and published by the Tasmanian UFO Investigation Centre (TUFOIC), focuses on UFO sightings and investigations primarily within Tasmania. The cover features a stylized "UFO" logo, the year 1977, and the headline "TASMANIAN U.F.O. INVESTIGATION CENTRE," with a price of 30c and identified as "edition 20."

Who's on the Bandwagon?

The editorial piece, attributed to J. Bigwood (President), addresses the proliferation of individuals and groups cashing in on the UFO phenomenon. It distinguishes between serious UFO researchers who focus on factual accounts and investigations, and the "fringe" element whose sensationalism and unfounded speculation jeopardize the credibility of genuine research. The author urges for a separation of interests, such as religious experiences or psychic studies, from UFO research, emphasizing the need to gather data patiently as there is no quick answer.

TUFOIC Information

Details are provided for the Tasmanian UFO Investigation Centre (TUFOIC) for 1977, including the President (Mrs J. Bigwood), Secretary (Keith Roberts), Liaison Officer (Paul Jackson), and Treasurer (Jan Drew). Committee members M. Lown and D. Harris are also listed. Correspondence should be directed to 366 Huon Rd., South Hobart, Tasmania. Contact phone numbers for sightings are provided, along with area representatives for North, North West, and West Coast Tasmania. Meeting dates for TUFOIC in 1977 are listed, held at Scots Church rooms, Bathurst St, at 8 pm, welcoming prospective members and those with sighting information.

UFO at Magra

This section details two separate but closely timed sightings in Magra. On February 9th and 10th, residents reported hearing whistle-type noises. On February 12th, two linesmen, Mr. Brian Woolley and his mate, sighted a UFO near Denmark Hill. The object was described as a powerful rectangular white light flanked by two red lights, moving from the northwest. It became stationary near power lines and then displayed a triangular configuration of red, blue, and green lights that pulsed sequentially. The object was estimated to be 100-200 meters up and 1-3/4 km away. After six minutes, the lights went out except for a central white light, and the UFO moved off at high speed towards Strathgordon. Approximately ten minutes later, the object returned, displaying the same sequence of lights before moving back a short distance and stopping. When observed through binoculars, the lights appeared pin-sized. After eight minutes, the witnesses flashed a spotlight, and the UFO moved off very fast. The object was later described as triangular with ill-defined corners, featuring a large rectangular light at the center. It was estimated to be 12-13 meters wide and 3-4 meters high.

UFO Escorts Truck

This report describes an experience of two truck drivers, Ron Wilson and Phil Fazackerley, on February 17th. While driving from Strahan to Dover, they encountered a UFO that paced their truck for over 90 kilometers from Nive Hill to Berriedale. The object was first noticed between 3:30 and 4 am and last seen near Berriedale Caravan Park around 6 am. Wilson described the UFO as having a brilliant yellow-white dome in the center, with dark or brown colored bodies on either side, resembling a sausage bent at the ends. The width was estimated at 10 meters, with the dome being 3-4 meters wide. The object maintained its position regardless of the truck's direction, appearing perhaps one to three-quarters of a kilometer away and 300 meters up. As they approached Black Bobs on the Lyell Highway, Wilson saw a bright object to his left, maintaining a position 45 degrees in front of the truck. The UFO accompanied them past Ouse and continued to pace the truck. At one point, it appeared to pass in front of distant hills. The witnesses tried their transistor radio, which produced static until near Berriedale. They stopped to observe the UFO more closely, and it appeared closer and in front of nearby hills. They lost sight of it briefly over a hilltop but could still see its glow. The object then crossed the road ahead, moved into the distance, and stopped. It was described as a triangular shape with ill-defined corners and a bright white rectangular light. Later, a small orange light was observed below the main object. The UFO then moved east-northeast, passing over the Australian Newsprint Mills at Boyer and in front of Mt Dromedary. The sighting concluded as the object moved higher and more distant in the eastern sky, eventually becoming invisible by Derriedale. Sketches of the object are included, comparing it to a UFO that paced a utility at Boyer in August.

Maydena's Mystery Lights

This extensive section details numerous sightings of mysterious lights in the Maydena area between February and April 1976, and later in March 1975. The town is situated in the Tyenna River valley, surrounded by extensive forests and near the Lake Pedder-Gordon power scheme.

Sightings Start: The Maydena events began on February 17th with Wayne Thorpe reporting two puzzling orange lights moving fast from the northeast. The lights stopped over the Maydena Range and appeared to be about the size of a 10-cent coin. One light dropped towards a clearing, while the other moved up and blinked out. Two nights later, on February 19th, Mr. A. Walker reported similar orange lights.

First Big Fly Over: On the night of February 1st/2nd, men leaving the RSL Club noticed two orange/red lights moving west over Abbotts Look Out. Other witnesses also saw the lights. Mrs. P. Green observed the lights from the western side of Maydena. One light passed below the Look Out, the other just above. A faint humming sound was reported by one witness. Geoff Marshall observed the lights coming from Abbotts L.O., gradually closing together, and then moving off southwest. Descriptions varied, with some seeing a flash of light, others seeing the lights dull and brighten. A similar orange light was seen on February 22nd, traveling west at high speed.

Second Multiple Sighting: On February 25th, two orange lights were again spotted. Geoff Marshall first saw them coming through a gap in the range. Descriptions varied regarding their apparent size, from four times Venus-sized to one centimeter. One witness described a half-moon light at the front with an ill-defined area behind it. The lights were seen for 20 minutes between 11:50 pm and 12:20 am. Later that night, a similar orange light appeared briefly, traveling west at high elevation.

Marshall's Sighting: Marshall's sighting placed the lights 2-3 miles from town at an elevation of about 1000 meters. The reddish-orange lights moved in formation at a slower speed than previous sightings, heading west then southwest before fading. Investigations with DCA and the RAAF ruled out aircraft or balloons as explanations.

The Night They Rang The Church Bell: On February 26th, the church bell was rung as familiar orange lights approached. Groups of people gathered to watch the lights, which were visible for nearly 20 minutes, traveling west then southwest. Constable Lowry observed two lights approaching from the northeast. A silver light fell from the leader and went out, while the second light closed on the first. They were described as considerably smaller than light aircraft, possibly no more than 700 meters above the town.

Sightings End: The last report from Maydena was on April 14th, with a single witness seeing two orange-red lights above broken cloud, traveling northeast.

Eliendale Report: On March 11th, a round bright light, changing from orange to red, was seen in a gully west of Ellendale. It grew from pinhead size to 1 cent apparent. The witness left due to static on the car radio.

Bells Ring Again: On March 27th, two orange lights appeared from the eastern hills. They were seen for 10 minutes, traveling west then southwest. Constable Lowry noted they were traveling slowly under overcast skies.

A Fix on the Lights: On March 10th, two lights were seen traveling southwest to northeast. Mr. G. Sargison and Mr. T. Francombe observed them as pinpoints of light, estimated at 150 kph. They passed beneath cumulus clouds and changed to a whiteish color as they gained elevation, fading by 11:20 pm. Similar lights were reported near Westerway.

Strange Events on Highland Farm

This section details sightings and unusual events on a highland property in the Tasmanian Lake Country, primarily in late February and March 1975, and continuing into September.

Events of the Farm: In late February 1975, shooters found a flattened area of gum saplings with tops pointing north, suggesting a low pass by an object.

First Big Fly Over: On Friday evening, March 1975, Mr. M. Brinsmead observed a flashing light towards Table Mountain, which he initially rationalized as a helicopter. He then saw two flashing lights moving closer. The lights, 5-7 meters apart, with the left flashing green and the right red, and a yellow glow beneath, stopped about 300 meters away. They then receded, gaining elevation and disappearing. The incident lasted 7-10 minutes.

Other Reports: Other puzzling events included a bright blue light seen near Farm Hill, and three lights observed over trees that changed positions. A hunter heard a rushing wind sound on a calm night.

Lights on Table Mountain: Brinsmead saw a large star-sized light descend on Table Mountain. Lights were seen on consecutive nights or with gaps of over a week. They appeared as steady lights from a distance but flashing up close. One night, a light rose from the southern end of Table Mountain and landed on the northern end. Another night, Brinsmead witnessed a flash of white light, followed by a pulsing red/orange light, and then a white beam of light shone up from the southern end of the mountain. The lights always leveled out as if to land.

Search for Marks: The lights were seen on numerous occasions, with a system of blowing car horns arranged to alert others. Brinsmead's TV acted up, and his van doors were opened one night. Near September, Brinsmead and a relative found small indentations in the moss on Table Mountain's plateau, suggesting a round sample had been taken. The marks were 2cm deep and 3cm wide.

Strange Figure Seen: Two strange figures were seen at the farm, one in 1973 and another in March 1975. The wife of a shooter saw a figure of a woman enter the caravan headfirst through the roof hatch. The figure had a scarf over her face and seemed to have a lot of color. She was visible for three minutes before disappearing.

A Second Figure?: In March 1975, a shooter saw the outline of a figure near the house, described as a white area of light that glided up steps and then pulsed before fading. The incident lasted three minutes.

Photograph Taken: On February 1st, 1976, a photograph was claimed to be taken of an erratic light in the north-eastern sky. The light appeared disc-shaped with a dome above, and a brighter colored light at the base. It was blue-white in color, moving erratically at varying speeds. The undeveloped film was taken to the Hobart Mercury, but only time exposure pictures showed a light track. The negatives were later lost.

The Bothwell Repeater

This section details three reports from Bothwell, Tasmania, possibly representing the end of a UFO flap.

First Case: On May 18th, two youths saw a red light through trees, which then turned white and disappeared.

Beams of Light: On July 22nd, witnesses saw beams of light shining between pine trees and rotating beams in the sky.

Roadside Object: On September 22nd, Mr. Bowerman and his son saw a glowing red object, appearing as a half-circle with a large glowing area above. It receded and faded.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the detailed accounts of UFO sightings, often involving mysterious lights and aerial objects, and the ongoing efforts of organizations like TUFOIC to investigate these phenomena seriously. The magazine emphasizes the distinction between rigorous investigation and sensational speculation, advocating for a data-driven approach to understanding UFOs. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious inquiry, seeking factual evidence while acknowledging the puzzling nature of many reported events. The publication serves as a record of UFO activity in Tasmania during the mid-to-late 1970s.

Title: A MID YEAR MINI-FLAP
Issue: 10
Volume: 12
Date: 1976 (implied by context and statistics)
Publisher: TUFOIC (The Centre for UFO Studies)
Country: Australia
Language: English

This issue of the TUFOIC publication focuses on UFO activity during the mid-year period, presenting a collection of witness reports and statistical analysis. It highlights a lull in activity followed by a series of sightings that TUFOIC found difficult to explain.

Bagdad Affair

Following a quiet period, the Centre received several unexplained sightings in late July and early August. One significant report comes from Mrs. J. Williams, who was driving north through Bagdad on July 29th at approximately 9:30 PM. She observed two rows of blinking lights, covering about 15 meters in length and hovering only 4 meters off the ground. The lights gained elevation and speed, moving away northwards. Mrs. Williams attempted to pace them but was left behind after three minutes. She described the lights as initially stationary and visible through a roadside hedge, but they then climbed over trees and houses, disappearing behind a low brow.

Another sighting occurred on the same stretch of road two nights later, on July 31st, at 7:10 PM. Two witnesses, returning home, saw a round, fluorescent light heading directly towards their car. The blinding light filled their vision, and they braced for impact. Suddenly, the light shot up over the car roof and vanished, leaving the witnesses shaken.

Figure Seen

Micahel Wood reported an encounter on August 2nd around 4:00 AM while returning home from visiting friends. Traveling north on the Midland Highway near Hobart, his Landrover was traveling at 70 kph. He heard a noise described as blurred electronic music, and his field of vision was blocked by a "picture screen effect." He perceived a yellow light source to his left and a figure in profile on the right, facing towards him. The figure appeared to be 3 meters tall and as wide as three people, wearing a black, featureless jacket and light-colored trousers, with fair hair. Wood felt he "went through" the image and it was no longer there, initially fearing he had hit someone. He contacted the Centre after his parents suggested it, noting that the Centre's number had appeared in a previous report on sightings at Bagdad.

Boyer Sightings

Later on August 2nd, at 4:45 PM, two independent sets of witnesses at Boyer reported seeing a strange aerial object. Initially, Mr. Rbottom and a friend observed the object moving slowly southwest beneath a cloudy sky, near the Australian Newsprint Mills. They watched it for 20 minutes as it moved in and out of cloud cover. The object had an apparent size of two moons and was noticed when the witnesses looked up at steam rising from the factory. Near dusk, it descended in front of distant hills and was lost from sight. The object was described as black and changed shape, appearing football-like, then cigar-shaped, and finally round, with a trail beneath it like smoke. Two other witnesses on the Lyall Highway also saw the UFO for five minutes before it disappeared, noting it moved in and out of clouds and looked elongated, then star-like.

Boyer Car Pace

Boyer was again the location for a sighting on August 15th, in the early morning hours. Three witnesses en route to Boyer from New Norfolk saw a light low to the northeast, which lasted for about 15 minutes. N. O'Brien and a friend drove a kilometer east of Boyer to observe it. They saw the light in front of distant hills, initially appearing 1 cent sized, then growing larger as if approaching. When O'Brien turned off the lights, it receded. Upon approaching a second time, the witnesses went to a friend's house to observe it through the trees. It appeared to have approached in a curving fashion. After leaving their friend's house, the light became invisible, but a kilometer or two later, a beam of light shone into the back window of their utility. O'Brien's passenger saw a beam estimated to be 125 meters away at a 250-meter elevation. The object then resolved into a shape like a jelly bean with a dome atop, featuring a strip of red light at its base, and was orange to yellow in color. O'Brien sped up to 120 kph, during which time the radio faded out and the utility's interior was lit up. The UFO was last seen as it seemed to go over the top of a steep hillside known as "The Rocks."

Low Level Lights

On the same day, August 15th, at 8:15 PM, a report came from Mornington. Two lights were seen to move over the Meehan Range, then land or hover in front of the hillside. Initially, two bright orange/yellow lights were seen coming from the north. One passed behind the range, while the second stopped at the 200-meter level. The first light reappeared over the hill (280 meters) and took up a position alongside the hovering light. The witnesses saw both lights pulse together for about 10 seconds before fading away.

Midland Car Pacing

Mr. C. Lockett had a puzzling experience on November 11th, returning from Launceston to Hobart on the Midland Highway. Just after midnight, about 5 km north of Campbelltown, he noticed a light behind the passenger side of his car, very close, about 2 meters away and 0.5 meters off the ground. The elongated light was estimated to be 30 cm high and 15 cm wide. It maintained its position without reflecting any light into his car. As he neared Campbelltown, something seemed to pass over the light, blocking it, then it reappeared and moved off at right angles over the paddocks. Lockett was puzzled and later, 26 kilometers further south at Tunbridge, he picked up the light again, well behind his car. It moved up very fast on the driver's side, and he was able to view it in the outside mirror. He noted that if he hadn't looked in his mirrors, he would never have known it was there. The light was the same height but wider, about a meter above the center of the road. Lockett felt a pins and needles effect, though outwardly calm. The effect wore off by the time he reached Oatlands. As a car approached from the opposite direction, the light turned itself off. Lockett was sure he would see something when the other car passed, but the road was deserted. The light was seen for the last time south of Oatlands, initially as a faint ball, then increasing in size to a round yellow ball, crossing paddocks to his left. As he drove up Lemon Springs Hill, he viewed the light out of his passenger window. He stopped to investigate, but when he looked back, it was gone. He estimated he traveled up to 120 kph during the sighting, which occurred around 12:20 AM. The pins and needles effect was felt briefly again just after Oatlands, and upon waking the next morning, his left leg had no feeling for two minutes.

Second National UFO Conference (UFOCON 2)

The 2nd National UFO Conference was held at Mt. Gambier, South Australia, from October 24th to 26th. It was organized jointly by the Centre for UFO Studies Australian Co-ordination Section (ACOS) and UFO Research S. Aust. The conference aimed to present papers on the phenomenon and discuss methods for upgrading UFO research in Australia. Fourteen delegates from five states attended, along with three scientific consultants. Paul Jackson represented TUFOIC. Details were provided about the new Australian computer data bank of information on sightings, based on David Saunders' "UFOCAT," which contains approximately 80,000 world-wide reports. The unit was scheduled to go into operation on January 1st, 1977. All Australian groups were invited to submit sightings for inclusion. The data would be exchanged with the American counterpart and made available to serious researchers in Australia. New sighting report forms were also introduced to help standardize data collection.

Spacemen Grabbed Us - 3 Women

This section, referencing a Sunday Observer report from October 31st, 1976, details three American women who claimed to have been kidnapped by a flying saucer and subjected to violent tests. Police doctors, psychiatrists, and UFO experts reportedly confirmed the women were telling the truth. The housewives from Kentucky stated they were scooped up while driving along a country road and remembered nothing unless under deep hypnosis. Under hypnosis, each woman described being removed from their car and held prisoner in a strange chamber, undergoing frightening and painful examinations. They were returning from supper in Stanford when a large disc-shaped object, described as metallic grey with a glowing white dome and rows of red and yellow lights, hurtled into view. The object stopped ahead of them, then circled behind their car, and an "awesome force" began dragging the car backward, resulting in an 80-minute gap in their memory. Their next conscious memory was of seeing street lights as they entered Hustonville. One woman's neck hurt, and another found a strange red mark, like a fresh burn, on her neck. Dr. Leo Sprinkke, a veteran hypnotist, conducted the hypnosis sessions.

Late Reports

Late December: A number of sightings, some occurring nearly a year earlier, were under investigation. About 11 PM on February 11th, Mr. N. Dilger of Swansea was disturbed by a persistent jet-like sound. He observed that the paddock north of his house was lit up, with the illumination source hidden by a shed and a dip in the ground. A neighbor also saw the glow and heard the noise. The light went out, and the noise receded north. No marks were found in the paddock, but the lit area covered about 400 meters. The Centre had received three other reports of strange noises that month.

Swansea Area: Other reports from Swansea involved motorists paced by lights. Activity on the state's east coast seemed low-key in early 1976.

South Arm Sighting: Investigated at year's end, Mr. B. Barwick arrived home at 1:45 AM and noticed a bright light reflecting through his hall window. He saw a flattened football (Aussie Rules) shaped object above trees, about 100 meters away across the road. The object had ridges and was a variety of colors (white, red, green, orange). It was clearly outlined with a tail projecting from its upper right side, estimated at 5x3 meters with a 5-meter tail. Mr. Barwick watched it move east, return to its position, then move east again until it was a dot of light. The incident lasted 20 minutes.

Years Sightings Statistics

As of December 31st, the Centre had investigated 175 reports during the year, plus over 30 cases from earlier years. Astronomical misidentifications, particularly Venus, accounted for most reports in October and November. The publication expresses disappointment at the public's lack of knowledge of the night sky. Unusual explanations included beacon and car lights, distant thunderstorms, and flocks of birds. The UFO percentage of unidentified cases fell this year despite a large number of sightings. Nearly 50% of unidentified cases occurred in February and March (compared to March and August in 1975), with a pattern of low activity late in the year. Fourteen unidentified cases originated from the Maydena and Derwent Valley areas.

Analysis of 1976 Investigations:

• Total Reports: 175
• Unidentified: 29 (17%)
• Insufficient Info. & Investigating: 19
• Astronomical: 61
• Aircraft: 24
• Satellites: 18
• Car/Beacon Lights: 5
• Noise only: 5
• Other Explanations: 14

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the reporting and investigation of UFO and UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) sightings in Australia. TUFOIC, the publishing organization, actively collects and analyzes these reports, aiming to provide a scientific approach to the phenomenon. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry, acknowledging the public's interest while also emphasizing the need for accurate observation and distinguishing between genuine unknowns and misidentifications. The publication encourages public participation in reporting sightings and joining the Centre. There is a clear effort to standardize data collection and foster cooperation among UFO research organizations.