TUFOIC Newsletter - No 033 - May 1981

Magazine Overview

Title: TASMANIAN U.F.O. INVESTIGATION CENTRE
Issue: MAY 1981 NEWSLETTER (NO.33)
Date: May 1981
Publisher: TASMANIAN U.F.O. INVESTIGATION CENTRE
Country: Australia
Language: English

This issue of the Tasmanian UFO Investigation Centre Newsletter details a significant increase in reported UFO cases during the first four months of 1981 compared to the same period the previous year. The newsletter, dated May 1981, covers correspondence and investigation updates, highlighting several intriguing sightings and incidents.

More Investigations.

The Centre reports that 30 cases have been brought to its notice in the first four months of the year, a notable increase from the 18 cases received by the same time last year. Four cases are currently unexplained, with more investigations pending. The newsletter mentions difficulties in contacting some witnesses. Interesting cases include reports of puzzling lights that could be satellites or stars, but which are intriguing enough to be listed.

Reported Sightings:

• January 7th, 1981, 23:07 hrs: A Hayes policeman reported a flashing white light moving away to the south-west horizon, possibly a satellite.
• January 9th, 1981, 22:15-01:00 hrs: In Bridgewater, a family reported seeing nine or more lights crossing the sky at different times. Some were identified as satellites, while others were considered probable satellites.
• January 25th, 01:30 hrs: In Mowbray, a silver/blue light with a yellow aura was seen 30 meters off the ground, frightening two witnesses.
• Late pm to early am (date unspecified): Lights were seen to the S.E. from a yacht north-east of Flinders Island, illuminating the area around the boat. This sighting was unidentified.
• February 19th, 21:30 hrs: At Mt. Nelson, two white lights were observed crossing the sky, possibly satellites.
• February 21st, 02:00 hrs: At Mt. Nelson, six lights were seen, with four going one behind the other. This sighting was unexplained.
• February 26th, 21:30 hrs: In Sandy Bay, two lights were seen going north to south and south to north, possibly satellites.
• February 20th, 20:00 hrs: A white/blue ball was observed over a roadside paddock near Campbelltown. This sighting was unexplained.
• April 3rd, 01:00 hrs: At Lake Pedder, a flashing light to the south-east at low elevation appeared to move south and down. It was noted that this could be astronomical but no bright stars were visible in the indicated direction.
• April 7th, 19:05 hrs: In Glenorchy, a white light, initially resembling a satellite, made a 90-degree turn and moved off to the S.E. Investigations are ongoing.
• April 11th, 20:00 hrs: At Partridge Island, four witnesses observed a light moving south and low over bush-covered hills, which then became stationary and unidentified.
• April 11th, 20:30 hrs: At Tunnel Hill, a large white light was seen low over Mt. Nelson. An identical light was observed on the 14th at 22:20 from the same location, with no movement. It was speculated this could be due to a ground source or a star, but no prominent star was visible in that location.

Photographic Evidence:

A report is being investigated involving two slide pictures taken in Hobart on January 23rd. The night shots, when printed, revealed a dome-shaped area of light in the night sky. The slides are currently being analyzed by the Australian Centre for UFO Studies. The witness did not notice anything unusual at the time of taking the photographs.

From the ACUFOS Bulletin of January 1981

Rosedale, Victoria: A Significant Physical Trace Case (Ref AX81/001)

This section details a case with physical effects that occurred on September 30, 1980, near Rosedale, Victoria. An on-site investigation was conducted by Bill Chalker, Gary Little, and Keith Basterfield on December 31, 1980.

Mr. George Blackwall, a 54-year-old station hand, was awoken at 01:00 hrs by a screeching noise, bellowing cattle, and a horse running. He observed an object coming from the S.W. at an estimated height of 8-10 feet. The object travelled between a shed and a hedge, then over a concrete water tank where it hovered for about a minute before moving to a paddock and appearing to land.

Upon investigation, Mr. Blackwall felt unusual, describing it as "like a jelly on a plate." He rode his bike to within 50 feet of the object and stopped. While the object was on the ground, an awful screaming noise occurred, and it rose into the air. As it moved to about 30 feet from the ground, it became silent, and cow pads and rocks fell from underneath it. Mr. Blackwell witnessed the object leave towards the east, becoming smaller until it was lost to sight.

Following the incident, Mr. Blackwall experienced problems with his watch, which stopped at 01:10 hrs and intermittently started and stopped for about a week. The next morning, he found an 18-inch wide, 28-foot diameter black circle with green grass inside and outside it on the ground. Rocks and debris were also found to the east, possibly from the site itself or around the water tank.

Samples were taken and forwarded to Geoff Stevens for analysis. The investigation is proceeding.

Police Check UFO Sightings (Brisbane Courier Mail, 18.3.81)

Police were interviewing people in the Gundale area following reports of a UFO hovering at tree-top height. Over 20 people reported seeing a round object with green and red flashing lights that hovered before zooming off vertically at an "incredible speed" around 9:25 pm. Air Traffic Control operators at Brisbane Airport stated no aircraft were in the area, and nothing showed on radar screens.

Did a UFO "drink" 13,000 gallons of water? (Credit: "Independent Perth, W.A.")

This report from June 24th, 1979, concerns a mystery faced by a farming couple in the W.A. outback. Ron and Heather Moses checked their 13,000-gallon water tank late one Saturday, and it was full. The next day, it was bone dry, with the plug still in place and no signs of leakage or tracks. Two days later, reports of flashing lights brought reporters and UFO spotters to the area.

Heather Moses stated that they initially did not report the water incident because they feared being laughed at. She believes a UFO took the water, as there is no other explanation for such a large quantity disappearing without a trace in a short time. The tank was refilled and has been alright since. Heather added that the reported blue lights had gone right over their paddock.

Meetings and Contact Information

The next meeting of the Centre is scheduled for June 12th, starting at 8 pm at the BP Theatrette, CML Bldg. (3rd floor), corner of Argyle and Liverpool Streets. For those who have heard of a sighting, new or old, and cannot attend, they are asked to ring Keith Roberts (evenings only) on 23 6009.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently focuses on UFO sightings and investigations within Australia, particularly Tasmania and Victoria. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into unexplained aerial phenomena, documenting witness accounts, physical evidence, and the Centre's investigative efforts. There is an open-minded approach to phenomena that cannot be easily explained by conventional means, such as satellites or known aircraft, while still acknowledging the possibility of such explanations for some sightings. The inclusion of a physical trace case and a mysterious water disappearance highlights the range of unexplained events the Centre is investigating.