TUFOIC Newsletter - No 031 - October 1980

Magazine Overview

This document is the October 1980 Newsletter (No. 31) from the TASMANIAN UFO INVESTIGATION CENTRE (TUFOIC), dated November 18th, 1980. It includes correspondence details for TUFOIC, a 'Talking Point' section addressing meeting attendance and future planning, and a 'SIGHTINGS' section detailing several UFO/UAP reports from Tasmania and one from the UK.

Talking Point

The 'Talking Point' section addresses the current state of the Centre, noting that membership is nearly at a record number and the financial position is sound. However, attendance at meetings has been declining. The Executive hypothesizes that members are content to receive sightings information via newsletters and annual reports. A questionnaire is enclosed with the newsletter to gather member input on the location, time, and other aspects of future meetings in 1981, aiming for an early decision. The Centre also welcomes contact from any member who can assist in some way.

Sightings

The 'SIGHTINGS' section reports that while the total number of investigations handled is 50, this is well below the trend of previous years. Several specific sightings are detailed:

• September 1979 (CE 1, 04:00, 5 mins, 1 witness, FORCETT): A log truck driver heading to work saw two large white lights to his east, cutting across his direction of travel and crossing the road about 50-100 meters ahead. The lights were estimated at 200 meters elevation and made no noise. As they approached, they lit up the witness's car intensely for 10 seconds, as if passing below a street light, but had no effect on the vehicle. The lights moved away to the north-west and were eventually obscured by hills.
• April 1980 (CE 1, 22:00, 3 mins, 2 witnesses, BUCKLAND): Two witnesses returning home saw a red light over Buckland Church. It appeared moon-sized, very low, and passed over the trees. It was estimated to be 150 meters distant and 50 meters above the ground, making no noise. The object appeared to follow the Tasman Highway briefly before swinging towards the south-east. Its appearance then changed to a star-sized white light, maintaining a straight course until it disappeared over distant hills.
• April 1980 (NL, 23:00, 15/20 mins, 4 witnesses, MIDDLETON): Four witnesses driving from Middleton to Oyster Cove noticed three lights low over the tree tops to the north. The centre light was white, with two smaller orange lights on the sides. The lights seemed to approach and were low enough to be in front of nearby hills. As the car moved, the lights moved higher and ahead, maintaining this position as they drove to Kettering. They stopped, but roadside trees obscured the view. Later, the lights moved west, the side lights faded, and the centre light followed.
• June 6th 1980 (CE 1, 20:30, 10 mins, 2 witnesses, MURDUNNA): Two boys, aged 12 and 13, were checking traps when they noticed an extra large white light in the sky to the north-west. Later, they spotted two areas of light on the paddock circling around. They then observed a large, round, silver shape, about the size of the moon, at an elevation of about 30 meters. The shape had a glittering edge but no other detail, and despite being bright, it did not illuminate the tree or ground below. The boys hid, and when they ran away, the object was no longer visible. Their grandmother reported they were in a state of fright.
• June 16th (NL, 21:00, 3 times, 2 witnesses, CADBURY'S POINT): While fishing, two witnesses saw two Venus-sized lights to the west, travelling rapidly to the north and visible for only a few seconds. About an hour later, similar white lights appeared from the north, heading north-east, stopped abruptly, and dashed back. This repeated, with two smaller dullish red lights visible on the sides. The lights stopped for 10 seconds, then the red lights faded, and the white lights disappeared at high speed.
• June 18th 1980 (NL, 20:30, 5 mins, 2 witnesses, TUNNEL HILL): A witness saw a large orange light to the south-east, with two smaller orange lights appearing to its right. The larger light emitted an orange pencil-like streak. The two smaller lights moved to the larger one and merged, after which the original light faded.
• July 6th 1980 (CE2, 02:10, 1½ mins, 2 witnesses, MOUNTAIN CREEK): In a vehicle north of Lake Sorell, witnesses saw lights 300 meters distant: a flickering red light flanked by two white lights, with a green-yellowish phosphorous glow below. The UFO was stationary or just above the ground. It then moved off just above the ground with a whirring noise before shooting into the sky at great speed. The dog with the witnesses became very upset, with its hair on end.

UFO Scares Housewife Motorist (Advocate, August 23rd, 1980)

This article, datelined LONDON, reports on housewife Lillian Middleton (33) who drove at high speed after seeing an unidentified flying object hovering above her car. Police are treating her claims seriously, as she stated the object was as big as her car and at times almost touching the roof. She reported it had a brilliant white light and would zoom back in the air when she stopped. The object was reportedly spotted by other people on the quiet moorland road between Earsdon and Holywell. A police spokesman stated they were treating the incident seriously due to multiple witnesses. Mr. Middleton commented that while it hadn't put his wife off driving, it would be a long time before she drove alone at night.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter reflects a consistent focus on documenting and investigating UFO/UAP sightings within Tasmania and surrounding regions. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry, as evidenced by the detailed reporting of witness accounts and the police's involvement in the UK case. The Centre's operational concerns, such as declining meeting attendance, are also openly discussed, indicating a commitment to engaging its membership and ensuring the organization's continuity. The inclusion of a 'Talking Point' and the questionnaire suggest an effort to be responsive to member feedback and adapt to changing circumstances. The overall tone is informative and aims to present factual accounts of reported phenomena.