UFO Tasmania

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO Tasmania
Issue: 41
Volume: 1989
Publisher: TUFOIC (Tasmanian UFO Investigation Centre)
Country: Australia
Date: 1989

This issue of UFO Tasmania, Edition 41 from 1989, serves as a comprehensive report from the Tasmanian UFO Investigation Centre (TUFOIC). It details the organization's structure, including its executive officers, area representatives, and meeting schedules. The magazine also presents a detailed statistical breakdown of UFO investigations conducted in 1983, categorizing reports into 'Unidentified', 'Investigating/Insufficient Info', 'Astronomical', 'Aircraft', 'Satellites', 'Ground lights/cars', and 'Other explanations'.

Investigations 1983

The core of the issue is the "AUSTRALIAN ROUNDUP 1983" and "INVESTIGATIONS 1983" sections, which document numerous UFO sightings across Australia. The year 1983 saw a significant number of reports, with Western Australia contributing the most. Several incidents are detailed with dates, times, locations, witness descriptions, and sometimes sources like local newspapers or UFO groups (e.g., PUFORG, WAUFOIC, ACUFOS, UFORQLD).

Notable 1983 sightings include:

• August 6th, Broadmarsh Road, Tasmania: A yellow pulsating oval light, half moon sized, observed for 10 minutes.
• August 9th, Jericho, Tasmania: A bright light in a paddock, described as a silver circle with blue and triangular lights, which streaked into the sky.
• August (first half), Copping, Tasmania: A flashing light on a hill, later identified as an oval/round shape (5-6m long), moving slowly. A dry ring was later found in the same paddock.
• August 13th, Howrah, Tasmania: A Venus-sized light flashing erratically.
• May 20th, Bendigo, Victoria: Multiple reports of flashing lights and a round object with red lights.
• July 22nd, Melton, Victoria: A significant incident involving a police target, observed by ATC and police, with a delta shape passing over.

The "AUSTRALIAN ROUNDUP" provides a tabular list of sightings, detailing the state, date, time, type of object (NL for 'No Light', CE for 'Close Encounter', DD for 'Disc Detected', RV for 'Radar Visual', AL for 'Aerial Light'), and location. The descriptions often include the object's shape, color, movement, and any associated phenomena like sounds or electromagnetic effects.

Old Cases Come to Light

This section delves into historical UFO reports:

• September 27th, 1957, Launceston Airport, Tasmania: A strong white light sighted from the tower, appearing circular and moving south at high speed, with a radar contact made near the airfield.
• September 17th, 1957, Glenora, Tasmania: A disc sighting.
• October/November 1960, Cressy area, Tasmania: A United States Air Force JB57 aircraft encountered a UFO over the Tamar Valley. The object was described as translucent, like a poached egg, approximately 70ft in diameter, and moving at high speed.
• May 1976, Midland Highway, Tasmania: An airship-like object with numerous lights was observed moving erratically.
• 1980 (alleged), Melbourne to Launceston route: A night freighter aircraft was reportedly paced by a white light on its wingtip for about 120km, with radar tracking mentioned.

Mystery Plane of 1931

This article recounts reports from the "Mercury" newspaper in September 1931 concerning a mystery plane in Tasmania. Sightings described an aircraft with a missing engine, wobbling, and nose-diving. Explanations ranged from mainland criminal activity to atmospheric phenomena. The article notes that no official action was taken, and locals organized a search.

Perth "Light" Puzzle

A preliminary report by PUFORG Special Investigator Adrian De Jong details an incident on January 20, 1984, in Perth, Western Australia. Police constables and civilian witnesses observed bright lights, described as conical, with zig-zag vertical lines and star-like lights. The phenomenon was associated with a localized gale-force wind, a 'thump' noise, and electrical disturbances, including clocks blinking and microwave ovens malfunctioning. Several residents reported similar electrical issues and dogs howling.

TUFOIC Publications and Membership

The magazine lists available TUFOIC publications, including catalogues and past magazines, and provides information on membership, encouraging interested individuals to join and support the Centre's aims.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the detailed reporting and investigation of UFO sightings, both contemporary (1983) and historical. TUFOIC's stance is clearly scientific and unbiased, aiming to collect and disseminate evidence. The magazine emphasizes cooperation with other UFO organizations and encourages public participation through membership and attendance at meetings. There is a focus on presenting factual accounts and the results of investigations, contrasting this with the sensationalism of tabloids.

This document is issue number 10 of the UFO Research Australia Newsletter, published by TUFOIC. It focuses on providing resources and information for UFO enthusiasts in Australia, particularly concerning UFO activity in 1983 and contact details for various UFO research organizations.

Australian UFO Groups Directory

The newsletter features a comprehensive list of Australian UFO groups, categorized by state or region. These include:

• Australian Capital Territory/South Australia: AUST. CENTRE for UFO STUDIES (Prospect, SA), AUST. I'NATIONAL UFO F.S. RESEARCH (Adelaide, SA), UFO RESEARCH- SOUTH AUSTRALIA Inc. (Para Hills, SA).
• Queensland: UFO RESEARCH QUEENSLAND (North Quay, Q), UFO RESEARCH-FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND (Cairns, Q).
• Western Australia: PERTH UFO RESEARCH GROUP (Cloverdale, WA), W.A. UFO INVESTIGATION CENTRE (Mahogany Creek, WA), UFO RESEARCH- WEST. AUSTRALIA (Riverdale, WA).
• Victoria: VICTORIAN UFO RESEARCH GROUP (Moorabbin, Vic), TARRAVILLE UFY ASSOCIATION (Manns Beach RSD, Yarram, V).
• New South Wales: UFO RESEARCH- NEW SOUTH WALES (Lane Cove, NSW), UFO RESEARCH- SOUTH COAST (Berkeley, NSW).

It is noted that this directory is not exhaustive, as some groups do not publish all their sighting reports.

Sighting Investigation Numbers

The issue provides contact numbers for sighting investigators in specific regions:

• Southern Tasmania: Keith Roberts (23 6009), Ron Jolly (44 6994).
• Northern Tasmania: Don Mc Sveen (39 2410).
• West Coast: Peter Zehmeister (P.O. Box 125, Queenstown, 7467).

TUFOIC Membership and Subscriptions

An application form is provided for individuals wishing to join TUFOIC. The form requests name, address, and phone number (home and business), along with postal code. Subscription rates are listed:

• FULL MEMBER: $4.00
• STUDENT: $3.00
• PENSIONER: $3.00
• PUBLICATIONS ONLY: $3.00

Overseas rates are also detailed:

• AIRMAIL rate: $5.00
• SURFACE MAIL: $4.00

Membership benefits include an Annual report magazine and two newsletters (June/October).

Tasmanian UFO Catalogue

The newsletter promotes the 'Tasmanian UFO Catalogue-Computer file' for a complete listing of unidentified sightings in Tasmania from 1948 to 1984. This catalogue is available from TUFOIC for $3.00 (postage included).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme of this issue is the organization and cataloging of UFO information within Australia. The editorial stance appears to be one of facilitating research and communication among UFO investigators and the public by providing directories, contact information, and resources like the Tasmanian UFO Catalogue. The newsletter aims to be a central point for information exchange and encourages participation through membership and subscriptions.