TASMANIAN UFO INVESTIGATION CENTRE

Magazine Overview

Title: TASMANIAN UFO INVESTIGATION CENTRE
Issue: Newsletter (No 28)
Date: October 1979
Publisher: Tasmanian UFO Investigation Centre
Country: Australia
Language: English

This issue opens with an editorial, "The Turning Point," from the Australian UFO Researcher, reflecting on a period of extraordinary global UFO activity. It notes a reconsideration of the subject's status following developments in Italy, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, despite setbacks from the United Nations and NASA. The editorial highlights the Valentich mystery in Australia and the Kaikoura coast reports in New Zealand as significant sources of data. It also mentions developments in the United States, such as "Retrievals of the Third Kind," and the release of "UFOs Official Documents of the Spanish Government" by Juan Jose Benitez, which documents official government involvement.

A major focus is on the work of GEPAN, the French government's UFO study group, headed by Dr Claude Poher. GEPAN's five-volume report, circulated on a restricted basis, analyzed 11 high-credibility cases. The investigation standard set by GEPAN is deemed superior to the Condon report. GEPAN concluded that witnesses genuinely experienced what they described, with most cases remaining inexplicable. The phenomena were often related to flying machines with unknown lifting and propulsion means. GEPAN's final conclusion emphasized the potential of studying this phenomenon to increase mankind's knowledge and improve techniques, deeming it of extensive importance.

Sightings

The newsletter continues with a section on recent UFO sightings, noting a continued quiet period but a recent increase in activity. Several older reports are also being documented:

• circa 1965, Jericho, Australia: Four witnesses observed a brilliant white, oval object with a silver rim and gold-to-orange center approaching and halting overhead. The object illuminated the surroundings with a silver light. Witnesses experienced sore and bloodshot eyes, with one doctor suggesting a welder's flash. The object then ascended vertically and disappeared.
• 1968, Wynyard, Australia: A second-hand report from the wife of a deceased witness described a greyish, zeppelin-shaped object with visible windows and internal movement, stationary over Table Cape. The witness observed it from outside but the object did not move. Another neighbor also reported seeing a "strange object" that morning.
• January 28, 1979, Lebrina, Australia: Mrs. Basset observed a white light diving in the NE sky, disappearing behind a hill. A second similar light appeared in the SE and moved to the same area. Smaller white and red lights appeared beneath the main light, which also shone a red light onto trees and paddocks.
• March 4, 1979, Pipers River, Australia: Witnesses around a campfire saw a bright orange light over the sea, initially stationary for ten minutes, then moving slowly towards the shore. The object, initially cigar-shaped, became more elliptical and disappeared by tilting into the sea.
• March 30, 1979, Maatsuyker Island, Australia: Two witnesses saw an intense yellowish light approaching from the south, which lit up the island. The light remained stationary over the sea, occasionally dropping off a blue-to-white light. The witnesses' dog became agitated during the approach. The light eventually moved away to the southeast with a more blue color.
• April 17, 1979, Tunbridge, Australia: While traveling north, witnesses stopped to observe an object with steady red and white lights at low elevation. It was described as a dark triangular shape with a red light on each side, a white light in the center, and a light of undetermined color on top, hovering about 400 meters off the road. A humming noise was heard, which grew fainter.

Investigating

The second half of August saw several sightings requiring investigation. At this stage, these reports are being processed for sighting forms and details are being checked, and are not yet considered confirmed UFO cases.

• August 20, 1979, near Hatfield River, Australia: An ex-policewoman reported a green light appearing behind her car, illuminating the interior. Her car clock and wrist watch stopped, and the motor lost power, preventing her from controlling the car's speed. The car returned to normal when the light disappeared.
• August 24, 1979, Dysart, Australia: A line of four lights was observed, appearing and disappearing, then slowly rising northwards before fading.
• August 29, 1979, Low Head, Australia: A boat's radar tracked red and white flashing lights heading out to sea around 10 pm. The Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) reported no aircraft in the area at that time.
• August 29, 1979, Tullah, Australia: Numerous residents watched flashing lights over the town for 20 minutes as they drifted overhead before gaining elevation and disappearing. DCA suggested the lights could be aircraft due to the location being on a flight path, while the Weather Bureau mentioned the possibility of Aurora.
• August 29, 1979, Ulverstone, Australia: A red glowing cylinder-shaped object was observed for five minutes before disappearing behind a hillside. DCA again suggested aircraft as a possibility.
• September 3, 1979, Geilston Bay, Australia: Moving lights were reported.
• South Mt Cameron, Australia: The Northern Representative had lights reported at Gawler and a Close Encounter case to investigate.

Centre Statistics and Data

The Centre reports having 338 unexplained cases on file covering the period 1948 to the end of 1978. These cases are categorized as: 203 Nocturnal Lights, 57 CE1, 39 CE2, 30 Daylight Discs, and 9 Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Reports show a relatively even spread throughout the year, with a low in December-January. Seasonal differences are noted, with more cases in summer (69) and autumn (94) compared to winter (92) and spring (74). The majority of cases occur between 7:00 PM and midnight.

Analysis of case types reveals that most involve lights (119). Object shapes include round or disc (78), oval to elliptical (41), dome to half circle (26), and cigar (16). Many sightings (29) lasted more than an hour, illustrating the short duration of numerous reports.

Regarding the number of witnesses, 100 reports involved single witnesses, 119 reports had two witnesses, 82 reports had 3-5 witnesses, and the remainder involved over five witnesses.

Meetings and Contacts

Members are reminded of the next meeting on Friday, October 12th, held at the BP Theatrette, City Mutual Building, 47 Liverpool St, commencing at 8 PM. The newsletter also mentions the finalization of new Guidelines, Executive, and Staff.

Eric Hodgson is introduced as the new Northern Representative, located at 2 Parish Cres., George Town, with the telephone number 822174.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the increasing global awareness and documentation of UFO phenomena, the rigorous scientific investigation of sightings (exemplified by GEPAN), and the cataloging of a significant number of unexplained cases. The editorial stance, as reflected in the "Turning Point" piece and the GEPAN summary, is one of serious consideration of the UFO subject, acknowledging its potential to expand human knowledge and suggesting that the phenomena are real and not easily dismissed. The Centre appears committed to thorough investigation and data collection, as evidenced by its extensive case files and the detailed reporting of sightings and ongoing investigations.