TUFOIC Newsletter - No 037 - October 1982

Magazine Overview

This document is the October 1982 Newsletter (No. 37) from the Tasmanian UFO Investigation Centre. It provides contact information via postal address and phone numbers for reporting sightings. The newsletter details a period of increased UFO activity, referred to as a 'mini-flap', which occurred primarily between May and July.

Sightings Reports

The newsletter begins by noting that while activity seemed to pick up after the May newsletter, the period since July has been quiet again. The reports cover a range of phenomena:

Northern Light and DC3 Report A call from the local RAAF alerted the Centre to a report from northern witnesses about a droning light. Initial follow-up suggested it might have been a DC3 aircraft, with the witness recalling a UFO program on a Launceston radio station. Efforts to contact the radio station were unsuccessful, but a George Town witness remembered a former representative, P. Tattersall, who helped connect the Centre with the original witnesses.

May/July Mini-Flap This period saw several calls, including reports of 'odd lights that did things lights shouldn't', a north-west auto stop, and a 'likely car pace from the south'. The newsletter highlights that this 'mini-flap' seems to have been confined to May/July.

1979 Bruny Island Case This section details a case from Christmas 1979 on Bruny Island. A witness, sitting on the beach around 2 p.m., observed a dull green, helicopter-shaped object above the pine trees. The object had no rotors, landing gear, or lights, and made no noise. It moved south over the water of D'Entrecasteaux Channel, with the witness estimating its size at 25/30m and width at 5/6m. The object then climbed at a steeper angle and disappeared. No Search and Rescue Operations were active in the area at the time.

"Old Times" and Early Sightings The newsletter notes a return to 'old times' with a series of reports. A motorist saw a brilliant white light stationary atop a bush-covered hill near Glendevie on March 8th. On May 14th, a Rokeby witness saw a white light that appeared to stop, pause, and then move east at a slower speed, moving up and over Venus before descending. On May 17th, a West Moonah resident reported an oval silvery grey shape passing down-river at midnight.

George Town Sightings This section elaborates on the George Town incidents, which began as early as February with noise and an area of light. In May, over seven evenings, a terrific noise and a bright light from outside were reported. On May 8th, the Riley family heard a noise and saw a bright red light, making a cassette recording of the alleged sound. The light was seen moving around town at high speeds, sometimes towards the south. Others reported hearing the noise without seeing a light. The Rileys contacted 7EX, who interviewed them and played the recording.

Erratic Lights at Verona Sands On June 24th, near midnight, residents at Verona Sands reported an erratic, large white light in the sky. Two witnesses observed the light moving in various directions for about an hour, at one point descending to water level for 10-15 seconds.

Report from Aircraft Passenger Details were received from a passenger on an Ansett flight into Launceston on June 27th. While in the Bell Bay area, the passenger documented sighting a spherical object, approximately 4m in diameter, following the plane about 200m below. The object was seen spinning upwards towards the plane before heading north.

Hampshire Incident On July 6th, near Hampshire, a motorist reported a dark helicopter-shape with a blue outline over a roadside paddock. The witness's car lost power, and the roadside wire fence was giving off an electrical charge. The object was 20/30m from the road and 5m off the ground. It appeared to turn, show an orange glow from its rear, and then fade away. The witness restarted the car and left the area.

Runnymede Area Sighting The final incident in the 'mini-flap' occurred on July 10th. Two witnesses travelling on the Tasman Highway near Runnymede reported a large light that approached their car and stayed with them for about 20 minutes. North of Sorell, the object moved ahead and across the road, disappearing to the east. At this stage, it appeared half-moon sized, dome-shaped, with a ring of red lights below.

Meetings and Fundraising

The newsletter announces that due to BP cutting back its Hobart Office space, the BP Theatrette is no longer available for meetings. Future meetings will be held elsewhere. The next meeting was scheduled for October 8th at the home of Mrs. Jeannine Hunt in Lindisfarne. It is planned to have one more meeting before December and then hold meetings quarterly in the New Year. The Centre is also seeking donations of old paperback books and clothing for a fundraising stall at Salamanca Place to help cover printing costs for their next Annual Report. Keith Roberts is the contact person for donations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the reporting and investigation of UFO sightings and unexplained aerial phenomena in Tasmania. The Centre appears to maintain a diligent approach to gathering information, following up on reports, and documenting cases. The editorial stance is one of active investigation and information dissemination through its newsletter, while also seeking community support for its operations and fundraising efforts.