TUFOIC Newsletter - No 053 - 1988

Magazine Overview

This issue of UFO TASMANIA from 1988, identified by publication number 53 and ISSN 0158-0590, is published by TUFOIC (Tasmanian Unidentified Flying Objects Investigation Centre). The cover features a stylized 'UFO' logo, the year '1988', and a map of Tasmania, with the price listed as $1.00.

Executive and Statistics

The 1988 executive committee includes Ron Jolly (President), Paul Jackson (Secretary/Liaison), and Keith Roberts (Investigation/Files). Janine Hunt is listed as a committee member. The publication also provides statistics on unidentified reports from 'Pre 65' up to 1987, with a total of 68 investigations recorded for 1987. Categories for 1987 investigations include Unidentified, Insufficient Info/Investigating, Astronomical, Aircraft, Satellites, Ground Lights, and Others.

Area representatives are listed for Launceston, St. Marys, and Swansea. Meeting dates for 1988 are scheduled for Thursdays, starting at 7 PM, with specific dates including March 10th, June 2nd, and September 1st. Meetings are held at the Freemasons Hotel (Lounge) in Hobart.

Aims and Membership

The aims of TUFOIC are to conduct investigations into Tasmanian sightings, collect and disseminate UFO-related evidence and data, and cooperate with organizations engaged in similar research. Membership is open to all who support these aims and can assist in furthering them. Further information can be obtained from the Secretary or by attending meetings.

Articles and Sightings Reports

SIGHTINGS '87

This section begins by revisiting an item from the June 1987 Newsletter about the "Monster" seen at Oatlands on January 3rd. Two Victorian visitors reported seeing a large ape-like figure in the water. The Centre investigated and later learned it was a prank involving two people in wet suits. The report notes that the Centre could not verify the tale but considered it the most likely explanation.

Tumbling Shape

A report from Midway Point on March 23rd describes a bright light that caught the eye of a young witness. The object was disc-like, with a bright orange glow on one side, and was tumbling end for end. It traveled from northeast to north at an elevation of 10-15 degrees. No sound was heard, but local dogs barked. The observation lasted about 8 seconds.

"UFO PUZZLE FOR AMBULANCE DRIVER"

This article details a sighting reported in the Tasmanian daily newspaper on June 16th. An ambulance driver, Lyle Turnbull, experienced a power loss and brief headlight failure near Ouse. Later, he noticed a bright light source, a yellow semi-circle shape with two rows of bluish-white lights, which blinked and went out. The illuminated area was compared to twice the size of the moon. A similar report of power loss was received from a truck driver near Gretna. The case remains unexplained.

SIGHTING NEAR AIRPORT

On the evening of June 21st, witnesses reported seeing several bright red/gold and red lights near Hobart Airport. The Centre confirmed no aircraft were aloft to account for the lights. The lights were seen approaching from the northeast, traveling on the same flight path, and disappearing into the eastern sky. A third light went above the cloud to the southwest. Another light was seen coming from the east and passing away to the north above the clouds.

THE CASE WITH FALLING LIGHTS

This report from August 28th describes two witnesses near Cressy who saw lights approaching fast from the north. They observed two large round lights with a red steady light and a flashing white light beneath. One light fell and went out, while another, a yellow/white light, halted above a paddock. The object was estimated to be 80-400 meters away. The sighting lasted 5 to 7 minutes.

UFO LANDING ON NORTH WEST

This account from September 6th details a ground-level UFO sighting at Hawley Beach. Mrs. A reported seeing an unusual form and light hovering about 1 meter from the ground. She described it as oval, like a large turtle, stationary, with a light about two-thirds the size of a car's headlamp. The object was estimated to be over 3 meters in length and over a meter tall, semi-circular with a flat base, and brown in color with a light on the left corner. No sound was noticed.

FISHERMEN GET A FRIGHT

On October 23rd, four fishermen reported seeing groups of red and white lights off Tasmania's North Coast near Two Mile Reef. They observed two large red oval lights, followed by two white lights. The lights moved down towards the shore, illuminating the ground, then moved back up. This performance repeated, with the white lights eventually departing rapidly to the southeast, leaving a soft white vapor. The sighting lasted about 10 minutes. The Centre confirmed no aircraft were in the area.

'Little green men' land again

This brief item references a commemoration in Grovers Mill, New Jersey, of the 1938 "War of the Worlds" broadcast, where young actors convinced an American radio audience of an alien invasion.

1947 - 1987 : FORTY YEARS OF UFO RESEARCH

Written by Mark Moravec, this article reflects on 40 years of UFO research since Kenneth Arnold's sighting. It suggests that 90% of UFO reports are explicable, but 10% remain unexplained. The phenomenon is considered real in psychological and sociological senses, involving perception, belief, and the development of social myths. It is also real in the physical sense, with unexplained effects on the environment and witnesses, citing examples like Levelland, Texas (1957), Socorro, New Mexico (1964), and Tully, Queensland (1966). The phenomenon is international and often a focus for emotional debate. The article critiques media portrayal and government/military studies, highlighting the valuable research done by civilian UFO groups despite limitations like lack of funds and media ridicule. It lists common myths debunked, such as the reliability of witness beliefs coloring testimony, hoaxes in UFO photographs, radar limitations, and the effectiveness of hypnosis. The remaining puzzling reports are attributed to multiple sources, including natural phenomena (ball lightning, earth lights) and psychological processes (imagery hallucination, pre-conceived beliefs). Some reports suggest phenomena capable of producing anomalous physical effects, the cause of which remains unknown (ETs, secret weapons, etc.). The author emphasizes the significance of findings from civilian research, citing publications like "The UFO Handbook" by Allan Hendry. The article concludes by outlining tasks for future research, including thorough documentation, rapid response capabilities, focus on psychological/sociological/medical studies, promoting high-quality research in mainstream journals, a cautious media approach, and preserving historical data.

UFOs in Israel

A brief report from Haifa, Israel, dated 9.10.1987, mentions UFO sightings and traces found on a beach where sand and vegetation were carbonised.

Australian Sightings 1986/7

This section provides a tabular list of Australian UFO sightings from October 1986 to October 1987. Each entry includes the date, state, time, type (NL, DD, CE2, CE3), location, shape, notes on the sighting (e.g., lights, movement, sounds, effects), and the source of the report. Notable entries include:

• Oct 30, Qld: Blue lights following trucks.
• Nov 16, WA: Objects descending rapidly.
• Dec 9, WA: Three lights moving in cloud.
• Dec 11, WA: Yellow light near a house, dogs reacting.
• Feb Mid, NT: Ape figure scaring a family.
• Apr 25, SA: Object with a row of bright lights.
• Jul 8, Vic: Two objects rotating together.
• Sep 5, Tas: Object landing in a backyard.
• Oct 2, NSW: Object with lights and beam flickering.
• Oct 18, Tas: Yellow semi-circle of lights.
• Oct 23, Tas: Large red lights illuminating dunes.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the reporting and investigation of UFO sightings within Tasmania and Australia, with a particular focus on the year 1987 and early 1988. The magazine highlights the efforts of the TUFOIC organization in documenting these events. There is a strong emphasis on presenting detailed accounts of sightings, including witness descriptions, object characteristics, and any associated physical effects or electromagnetic disturbances. The issue also delves into the broader context of UFO research, acknowledging the challenges of distinguishing between genuine unexplained phenomena and misidentifications or hoaxes, and advocating for a more scientific and less sensationalist approach to the subject. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry and data collection, aiming to understand the nature of the UFO phenomenon through diligent investigation.

This document comprises articles from "The Herald" dated Thursday, August 27, 1987, and "The News" dated Friday, October 2, 1987, along with a page from "The Sun" dated January 22, 1988, and a TUFOIC Publications list. The primary focus is on UFO (Unidentified Flying Object) sightings and encounters reported in Australia.

Broadford UFO Sighting

The Herald reports on a UFO sighting near Broadford, Victoria, on Tuesday night. Cheryl Kerslake described the object as being in three layers, like a 'wedding cake,' and hovering just above the ground. She and her husband, Trevor, were among at least six locals who saw the phenomenon around 10 pm. The Army denied any connection to a defense operation, stating their searchlights were too far away to be relevant. A Seymour policeman stated he was treating the sightings as genuine, noting the witnesses appeared distressed and credible. Dr Robin Hrst, director of the HV McKay Planetarium, suggested it could have been a bolide or exploding meteor. James Gerrand of the Australian Skeptics advised looking for scientific explanations.

Adelaide Hills UFO Filming

The News covers an incident where Dr Peter Tunbridge, his wife Lynn, and their son Guy filmed a UFO on a home video camera in Summertown, Adelaide Hills. They observed a 'pure white' light on the horizon that made no sound. When Dr Tunbridge retrieved his video camera, the object reappeared closer and moved at an 'incredible speed,' hovering and disappearing. Astonishingly, the video camera's battery, which was fully charged, drained completely within about a minute and a half of filming. Mr Colin Morris, president of the Australian International UFO Research, viewed the film and confirmed it showed a UFO, noting the battery drain and object's movements were consistent with other photographed UFOs.

Nullarbor UFO 'Dust' Mystery

The Sun reports on an alleged UFO encounter on the Nullarbor Plain, near the SA-WA border. Police stated that the dust covering the car involved was an unknown substance, not ash. The Knowles family—Faye, Patrick (24), Sean (21), and Wayne (18)—claimed their car was engulfed by a glowing ball and lifted into the air, with a smoke-like substance entering the car. They described enduring nearly two hours of terror. Forensic police in Adelaide confirmed the substance was not ash. The crew of the tuna boat Empress Lady, fishing off the SA coast, also reported seeing a bright light hovering overhead around the same time. Police at Eucla were unable to locate the specific spot of the encounter. Chief Inspector Barry Willoughby noted the sighting occurred in the same area as the 'Nullarbor Nymph' incident from 30 years prior. Despite some skepticism from police who considered it a potential hoax, the Knowles family remained adamant about their experience.

Tasmanian UFO Incident

UFO researchers believe the Knowles family's sighting may be linked to a similar incident in Tasmania the previous month. A prominent Launceston businessman, who wished to remain anonymous, reported seeing a 'colored egg shaped object' on a deserted road. The object hovered, landed in front of his car, and appeared to drag the vehicle. The man's engine stopped, and his car lights went out. He ran from the car but saw it being dragged. Another driver witnessed the object take off at an angle and disappear into the sky.

TUFOIC Publications

A separate section lists publications and services offered by TUFOIC (Tasmanian UFO Computer Catalogue). These include catalogues of Tasmanian UFOs, landing reports, a Maatsuyker Island document, UFO Tasmania Magazines (1978-1987), computer printouts, and a North-East Tasmania document. Prices are listed, including return postage. TUFOIC is described as a serious civilian organization investigating UFO reports scientifically and objectively, aiming to make reliable information available. They draw no conclusions beyond the existence of unexplained phenomena requiring further investigation. Authentic reports are forwarded to ACUFOS for research. TUFOIC is based in Hobart and maintains contact with other organizations in Australia and overseas. Membership and subscription options are available.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes are UFO sightings, witness testimonies, alleged physical evidence (dust, battery drain), and the investigation of these phenomena by civilian organizations. The articles present witness accounts with varying degrees of official and skeptical commentary, highlighting the unexplained nature of the events and the ongoing efforts to gather and analyze information. The editorial stance, particularly from TUFOIC, is one of objective investigation without premature conclusions, emphasizing the need for further research into unexplained phenomena.