TUFOIC Newsletter - No 026 - 1979

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO 1979 Tasmania
Issue: Edition No. 26
Year: 1979
Publisher: Tasmanian U.F.O. Investigation Centre T.U.F.O.I.C.
Country: Australia
Price: 50c

This issue of UFO Tasmania, published by the Tasmanian U.F.O. Investigation Centre (TUFOIC), covers the year 1979 and provides a comprehensive overview of UFO sightings and investigations within Tasmania and related international events. The magazine details the Centre's activities, statistics, and specific case reports, highlighting a period of contrast in UFO reporting.

TUFOIC Operations and Statistics

The Centre's leadership is detailed, with Neil Russell-Green as President, Keith Roberts as Secretary, Paul Jackson as Liaison Officer, Stephen Brooks as Treasurer, and Jeanine Pauley as Librarian. The committee includes G. Marshall, D. Harris, and C. Mortimore. Correspondence is directed to GPO Box 1310 N, Hobart, 7001, Tasmania, with specific phone numbers provided for general sightings and Northern Division reports.

For the fifth consecutive year, TUFOIC received over 150 sightings to investigate in 1978. While the overall UFO percentage varied, there was a gradual drop in actual unexplained cases. The peak reporting period in 1978 was from September to November, a contrast to 1976 (Feb/March) and 1977 (May/June). Unusual events included prominent occurrences of the Southern Lights and meteorite burn-ups over the state in August.

• Comparative Figures (1971-1978):
• 1971: 94 reports, 22 unidentified (23%)
• 1972: 68 reports, 14 unidentified (20%)
• 1973: 136 reports, 26 unidentified (19%)
• 1974: 158 reports, 53 unidentified (33%)
• 1975: 175 reports, 46 unidentified (26%)
• 1976: 190 reports, 41 unidentified (21%)
• 1977: 151 reports, 35 unidentified (23%)
• 1978: 168 reports, 24 unidentified (14%)

• Analysis of 1978 Investigations:
• Unidentified: 24
• Investigating/Insufficient Info: 17
• Astronomical: 63
• Aircraft: 25
• Satellites: 13
• Meteorological: 9
• Bush Fires/Flares: 5
• Other Explanations: 12
• Total Investigations: 168

TUFOIC's report is published annually and is available to the public, members, and for exchange with other UFO organizations. The Centre also produces two newsletters per year. Meetings are held at the BP Theatrette, City Mutual Building, 47 Liverpool St., Hobart, at 8 pm, welcoming prospective members and those with sighting information.

A Year of Contrast: 1979

The year 1979 is described as a year of contrast, beginning quietly but ending with the highly publicized Valentich disappearance over Bass Strait in October. This event brought the UFO subject to front-page material across Australia, significantly increasing public awareness and media coverage. While some media coverage illustrated a lack of knowledge about the phenomenon, a few valuable items appeared, alongside less relevant content like historical UFO events or listings for conventions.

Despite a lull in reports in the latter half of 1977 and into 1978, the media provided considerable assistance through TV and radio talk-backs, generating an overwhelming public response. A meteor burn-up over the state, for example, resulted in over 40 calls in 24 hours. However, the media often incorrectly assumed that unexplained sightings in Tasmania were on the increase.

Following the Valentich disappearance, the Centre received an average of one sighting per day for about a month. Witnesses became less reluctant to share their experiences, both recent and old. This period was contrasted with 1974, which saw many strange events without significant publicity. The film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" did not appear to trigger a wave of sightings locally, though some organizations reported an increase in older sightings as people re-evaluated past experiences.

The Centre's new Northern Representative has established an active group in the north of the state, aiming for wider coverage of UFO activity and the uncovering of older cases. Contact with Jean Sider in France provided insights into the French Government-backed investigation into UFO phenomena, which suggested a 'Material Phenomena' was involved. This was seen as significant as it was the first time a government-backed body favored the theory that UFO phenomena are actually present.

The issue highlights the media's tendency to cover minor events, like a UFO kite causing a traffic jam in London, while overlooking more substantial information, such as government-backed UFO investigations.

Specific Sightings and Incidents

First a Close Encounter (Sorell, January 31, 1978): A witness reported a star-like white light approaching her farm, performing a circular movement, and then disappearing. The object was described as elliptical with sharp ends and two bright white lights in the center. It was visible for about 4 minutes, moving slowly over the paddock.

A Daylight Disc (February 18, 1978): A motorist and passenger reported seeing two white spherical objects that later appeared brown and disc-like. The objects moved and then disappeared, reappearing and travelling away to the north.

It's Just Lights (March 1978): Three cases of nocturnal lights were reported, all involving two lights. One incident involved two orange lights that converged, flashed red, separated, and faded out. Another involved two orange lights approaching from the north, moving silently, and then separating. A third case described a Venus-sized light rising from behind hills, followed by a second light.

Anson's Bay UFO (June 4, 1978): A strange light was seen south-east of Anson's Bay, emitting pulsating colored lights and a humming noise. Another related event on the same night involved a witness being woken by a strange noise and bright light.

August Incidents (Lake Country, 1978): Two reports were logged as unexplained. The first involved a thin, cigar-shaped object estimated at 30m long, travelling smoothly over Lake Crescent. The second, later that night, involved an intense white glow and a white light that dashed back and forth.

New Zealand Occupants (Timaru, New Zealand): Mrs. Arnevich reported seeing three men appearing to climb ladders between UFOs and beam colored lights at various parts of them. The objects were described as 30-foot high rectangular shapes.

A Tale of Two Figures (Winter 1976 & November 9, 1978): Two reports of unexplained figures or shapes are detailed. One involved a cylindrical shape about 12m tall and 4m wide, seen bent over a utility. Another involved a luminous green shape, about 1.5m tall, seen by a taxi driver.

Risdon Vale (November 9, 1978): A taxi driver reported a luminous green shape that drifted across the road and vanished, causing his radio to go blank.

A Close Encounter (Late February 1976): A witness observed a dome-shaped object near Hobart, emitting white to yellow light and a humming noise. The object left a circular patch of scorched grass, which later exhibited stimulated growth.

End of Year Flap (September/October 1978): An increase in reports occurred, partly due to publicity from the Valentich disappearance. A large light was observed west of Maatsuyker Island, causing power outages.

King Island Sightings: Reports of flare sightings occurred in late August and September. An anonymous writer reported being followed by a slow-moving light. George Newman and his sons reported a bright white oval-shaped light following their vehicle. A sighting on October 21st involved an object described as a huge golf ball.

Bass Highway Car Pace (October 9, 1978): A husband and wife observed a large yellow light pacing their car for over 40 kilometers.

Double Sighting (October 10, 1978): Two similar reports described a bright white light moving at high speed. One involved a light moving from south-west to north-east, stopping, and then departing vertically. The other involved a light moving north-east, changing color, pulsing, and disappearing vertically.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently highlights the ongoing nature of UFO phenomena in Tasmania and its connection to global events. The editorial stance emphasizes the importance of systematic investigation and data collection by TUFOIC, contrasting this with media portrayals and public skepticism. There's a clear effort to document sightings, analyze statistics, and foster a community of interested individuals. The Centre appears dedicated to providing a platform for reporting and discussing UFO phenomena, aiming to demystify the subject and encourage a more rational public perception. The recurring theme is the persistent presence of unexplained aerial phenomena and the Centre's role in documenting and understanding them, despite challenges in public acceptance and media coverage.

Title: FLAP
Issue: 10
Volume: 4
Date: November 1978
Publisher: TUFOIC (TAS. UFO INVESTIGATION CENTRE)
Country: Australia
Language: English

This issue of FLAP, a publication by the Tasmanian UFO Investigation Centre (TUFOIC), details a series of UFO (Unidentified Flying Object) and UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) sightings reported primarily in Tasmania during November 1978, with some related reports from other locations.

Sighting Reports

Hobart and Western Suburbs

The evening of November 4th saw a power cut in Hobart's Western Suburbs. Around 9:30 PM, two boys playing in a Risdon Vale paddock with their dog witnessed a frightful event. After noticing the power cut's flash, they saw a strange object overhead. A neighbour's dog also reacted, looking skyward. The boys observed a red, circular shape, described as larger than the moon, which was silent. They watched it for about five seconds before fleeing home, with their dogs following. The object was no longer visible upon their return. This report is noted as being similar to a previous one from Risdon Vale on November 9th.

Maydena Incident

On November 5th, just before midnight, a sighting occurred in Maydena. Two witnesses reported seeing a pulsing red light approach from the north-eastern sky and pass overhead before blinking out in the south-west. Using binoculars, the object appeared as a definite oval shape and seemed to expand and contract its size rhythmically.

Launceston Sightings

Launceston was the focus of a complex case on November 8th, involving a number of greenish-blue and yellow-white lights. Two lights appeared in the eastern sky, moving north, then stopped and reversed direction. One of these lights then met a stationary light and returned northwards with it. The two lights were moving parallel to each other. Subsequently, two lights disappeared to the north, and a fourth light appeared in the north-western sky, travelling east and disappearing into the distance. The Northern Centre has received other similar reports involving manoeuvring lights, which will be detailed in future newsletters.

Hobart - Warrane Sighting

While sightings in the south decreased in late November, two occurred on the 25th. The first, from Warrane, involved two girls walking home around 9:45 PM. They noticed three white lights in a line to the north-east, close together and about star-sized. The lights were stationary, but a faint circle of white light was visible around them, with a second semi-circle just above. The girls became disturbed as the lights and circles turned bright white, prompting them to run home. The lights appeared to change position, moving further north when observed again, and eventually were last seen in a position south of the original sighting.

Sandford Phenomena - Dog Disturbed?

An unusual report from Sandford, dated just before midnight on November 25th, involved a witness who was alone with her baby. The family dog began barking and howling, waking the witness. The dog, usually slow to quieten, became silent. The witness then noticed a faint glow emanating from the study, which she likened to moonlight. Investigating, she was surprised to see a doorway-shaped area of light, approximately 50 meters away, seemingly positioned in the middle of the driveway. The light illuminated the area, including the drive and trees, as if in broad daylight. The witness estimated the 'doorway' to be 2 to 3 meters wide and 9 to 12 meters high. While she tried to rationalize the phenomenon, she could not. The light appeared to be doing nothing. After a couple of minutes, a golden glow spread across the ground, frightening the witness as it moved towards the house, seemingly originating from above. This glow lasted only a few seconds before the glow and the 'door' simultaneously went out. No further traces were found.

South Arm Sighting

On the night of November 27th, a lone motorist driving towards South Arm around 11:30 PM reported seeing two round white lights low over the water to the north, one above the other. The top light moved off to the east, appearing more as a shape, described as saucer-like with a roll bar or dome at the rear. The other light simply went out. The motorist slowed down but then sped up again. The object was last seen heading over the low hills towards Sandford.

Bay Pilot Spots UFO

A report from a Port Phillip Bay ship pilot, Captain Frank Jolly (50), published in the Melb. Sun on November 15th, 1978, details his sighting. Initially skeptical, Captain Jolly observed an object at 2:34 PM flying at about 3000 ft. at a speed between 100 and 200 knots. He described it as a "classic UFO shape, saucer-like with a dome on top," noting that the dome particularly amazed him. The object was initially at a 70-degree elevation and, as it disappeared over his house towards the Bay, was at a 20-degree elevation. He estimated its diameter to be about 60 ft. and noted brown stripes on the bottom. The dome was dark grey and appeared to be of thin metallic substance, showing slight buckling. The object had no lights, no vapour trails, and made no sound. Captain Jolly estimated that if it maintained its course, it would have passed within 4 miles of Moorabbin Airport. Checks with Moorabbin and Tullamarine airports revealed no record of any aircraft in the area at that time.

A RAAF spokesman mentioned that there had been several reported sightings since a young Melbourne pilot and his plane vanished without trace over Bass Strait on October 21st.

New Zealand Pilots and Radar

An article from the Hobart Mercury dated December 23rd reports on early morning UFO sightings by two experienced pilots and the powerful Wellington radar, which were passed on to the NZ Department of Defence. Pilots Vern Powell and John Randle, flying their Argosy freighter through Cook Strait, reported multiple sightings. Wellington Air Traffic Control also tracked the UFOs. At one point, radar controllers observed five strong radar targets in one area where nothing should have been, all above ground level. These were handed over to the Defence Department. Captain Powell (26 years old) described one object as "massive – a huge bright white light with a red tinge to it." He noted that even when the object went behind a cloud, its glow was still visible, and it would then reappear intensely bright white.

TUFOIC Information

The issue includes information about the TAS. UFO INVESTIGATION CENTRE (TUFOIC), founded in 1965. Their address is GPO Box No. 1310N, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001. Their aims are to investigate Tasmanian sightings, collect and disseminate evidence, and cooperate with similar research organizations. Membership is open to all who support these aims. Information can be obtained from the Secretary or by attending meetings listed for 1979. Items published by TUFOIC may be quoted if credited. The publication is printed by Brisbane Street Printers in Hobart. An application form to join TUFOIC is included, with full membership costing $3.50 (students/pensioners $2.00) and publications (including newsletters and the 1980 Annual Report) costing $2.00.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the reporting and investigation of unexplained aerial phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry, presenting witness accounts and official (though often limited) responses from aviation authorities and defence departments. The publication aims to collect and disseminate information, encouraging public participation through membership and reporting of sightings. There is an emphasis on the need for further investigation and a willingness to explore possibilities beyond conventional explanations, as evidenced by the detailed descriptions of unusual objects and behaviours.