TUFOIC Newsletter - No 068 - 1993

Magazine Overview

Title: TASMANIAN UFO REPORT
Issue: 1993 (Publication Number 68)
Publisher: Tasmanian UFO Investigation Centre (TUFOIC)
Country: Australia
Language: English
ISSN: 0158-0590

This issue of the Tasmanian UFO Report, dated 1993, focuses on UFO activity and investigations primarily from 1992. It provides a comprehensive overview of reported sightings, investigations, and the organizational activities of TUFOIC. The cover features a prominent illustration of a UFO and a car, with the year "1993" as the main headline.

TUFOIC Executive and Organization

The 1993 TUFOIC Executive is listed, including President Ron Jolly, Secretary/Liaison David Keyworth, and other key roles such as Publications, Treasurer/Membership, Investigation/Files, Library, and Committee members. Area Representatives for Launceston (Don MacSween) and Swansea (Jenny Lyne) are also noted. The organization was founded in 1965. Meetings in Hobart were held quarterly on the first Thursday of the month. The end-of-year gathering was scheduled as a B-B-Q in December. The publication is stated to be published and printed by TUFOIC, with a disclaimer that expressed views may not reflect the organization's official stance.

Tasmanian Statistics and Investigations in 1992

The magazine presents detailed statistics on UFO reports in Tasmania from 1965 to 1992, showing the number of reports, UFOs identified, and identified cases each year. A significant increase in reports is noted for 1992 compared to the previous year, which was considered a low point. The section "INVESTIGATINGS IN 1992" breaks down the types of investigations conducted, including Unidentified, Insufficient Information/Investigating, Astronomical, Aircraft, Satellites, Meteorological, Ground Lights, and Others, totaling 77 investigations for the year. The Centre's principal aims are to conduct investigations, collect information, and distribute findings.

1992 In Review

The "1992 IN REVIEW" section highlights a dramatic change in the profile of UFO phenomena in Tasmania, with sightings increasing significantly from August to October 1992, partly due to TV documentaries and the opening of the UFO Connection shop in Hobart. The period from September 1991 to August 1992 had only one unexplained report, but publicity following a September incident led to calls about current and older sightings dating back to 1968. Nationally, New South Wales experienced its best run of reports in years, with other states also reporting localized UFO sightings. Overseas, crop circles remained a focus, with a mention of Colin Andrews' visit and lectures. Bud Hopkins' visit to Australia and his lectures on abduction phenomena are also noted, with UFO Research Australia making a press release to gather information on similar cases in Australia. The report mentions the "lights at Gulf Breeze (USA)" as a continuing topic of discussion. TUFOIC continued to record local sightings in its TASCAT computer listing and gained access to the Paranet Network for downloading information. Despite a rise in membership fees, membership continued to increase.

Sightings in 1992

This section details specific sightings reported in Tasmania during 1992.

• Strahan (April 21st): A sighting of a pale flashing orange light that changed shape and appeared to have windows, observed for nearly 20 minutes.
• Glenorchy (August 9th): A strange pencil-shaped object with a yellowish hue was seen passing overhead at a high elevation, followed by three star-like lights falling from its underside.
• Bridgewater (September 13th): A bright light, seen to the North West, changed colors and then rapidly shot off towards the North-East. One witness perceived a disc shape.
• Lyell Highway (September 13th): A dull grey cylinder with a rounded front and a blue flame at the rear was observed, accompanied by four orange and brown lights that moved erratically. The object moved North-East and disappeared.
• Flight 405 to Hobart (September 14th): A passenger reported seeing a long, thin black shape at a high altitude, west of Hobart, between hazy clouds.
• Wattle Grove (September 15th): A bright golden light was observed low to the North West, travelling horizontally before disappearing into hills.
• Pelham (September 16th): A line of lights approached from the North, moved towards the South East, became stationary, then moved erratically before disappearing.
• Elderslie Road (September 26th): Three red lights in a line were seen, which later changed to a single white light that reappeared close to the road.
• Black Hills (September 29th): A row of orange lights merged into one and faded out. Later, two lights (red and green) were seen at a lower level.
• Huon Valley (September 30th): A bright mass of light, described as a rectangular area, appeared behind a car and seemed to increase speed before disappearing.

Northern Sightings

Two cases from Northern Tasmania in November are detailed:

• November 11th: Four witnesses observed a very bright light on Mt Arthur, which projected a blue beam at a 45-degree angle. The light then brightened, faded, and shot into the sky.
• November 16th: Mr C reported a bright orange to yellow light moving between two cargo aircraft. The light changed to a round, silvery shape before disappearing from view.

Australian Sightings in 1991/92

This section provides a compilation of Australian UFO sightings from 1991/92, compiled from various sources. Notable flaps occurred along the East Coast and in Western Australia. Tasmania had a cluster of cases mainly in September, while Victoria had a more even spread. South Australia appeared to have missed out on the major flaps. Specific reports include:

• Darwin (September 20th): Alawa residents reported seeing three bright lights in a line moving in different directions and speeds before disappearing. A spokesman for Air Traffic Controllers confirmed an Alawa resident reported seeing the lights, but a Weather Bureau spokesman noted that weather balloons are released at specific times, and a RAAF Base spokesman had no record of the sightings.
• Broome: Two identical reports of a UFO sighting near Broome were received, matching three other reports from two years prior. The object was described as shaped like a quarter moon with a brilliant white light and a droning sound.

UFO Encounter: Light Beams Over Northern Victoria

Reports from Northern Victoria indicated an increase in UFO sightings, leading to a visit by the Victorian UFO Research Society. Two witnesses reported 'L'-shaped light beams, one of which was photographed. Other reports included orange light beams and triangular formations.

Bass Strait, 1944

A Beaufort bomber flying over Bass Strait in February 1944 reportedly gained an unusual aerial companion: a "dark shadow" with a flickering light and flame from its rear end. This object stayed with the bomber for 18-20 minutes, during which time radio and direction-finding instruments failed. It then accelerated away at approximately three times the bomber's speed. The pilot's report was reportedly dismissed.

Odd Spot

A brief mention of a Boston computer company planning to beam messages into outer space, with a humorous suggestion received.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the detailed reporting and investigation of UFO sightings, particularly within Tasmania. The magazine emphasizes the collection of data, witness accounts, and statistical analysis of UFO phenomena. There is a clear stance of serious inquiry into unexplained aerial phenomena, with TUFOIC acting as a central hub for such investigations in Tasmania. The publication also acknowledges and incorporates information from other UFO organizations and media sources, reflecting a collaborative approach to understanding the UFO mystery. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-mindedness and diligent research, aiming to document and analyze sightings without immediate dismissal, while also acknowledging potential mundane explanations for some phenomena.

This issue of the Australian UFO Bulletin, dated as issue number 10, focuses on UFO sightings and related phenomena. It includes a detailed log of numerous sightings across various Australian states and territories, as well as international reports from the USA and Romania. The publication also provides information about the Tasmanian UFO Investigation Centre (TUFOIC), its mission, membership, and available publications.

UFO Sightings Log

The bulletin features a comprehensive log of UFO sightings, primarily from Australia, spanning dates from May to November. Each entry includes the date, time, state, type of sighting, location, and a brief description of the observed phenomenon. The sightings range from simple lights to distinct shapes like "oval shapes," "amber lights," "glowing cigar," "orange lights," "yellow pencil shape," "black thin shape," and "triangular object." Behaviors described include hovering, zig-zagging, travelling at high speeds, and disappearing.

Notable entries include:

• May 23, 2130: Two oval shapes with lights near ground level seen in Paraburdoo, WA.
• May 24, 2300: A 4m disc with a dome seen at treetop level in Waverley Park, NSW.
• June 7, 0750: Three large orange lights seen at 300m height in Derby, WA.
• July 4, 2020: A "huge red light" described as "like a huge carrier, very long with no hum, no sound" seen over Norah Head, NSW.
• September 12, 100: A metallic oval travelling from North to South near Bridgewater, WA.
• October 16, 2100: Multiple reports of erratic lights below clouds in Mooroolbark, VIC.
• November 16, 2245: Orange lights that came from the West then curved away fast to the Southeast in Launceston, TAS.

International Reports

Beyond Australian sightings, the bulletin includes reports from abroad:

• Naval Exercises Possibly Cause Confusion: On April 28, 1992, multiple calls were received in Toukley, Wyong, and other NSW police stations about a large object with red and white flashing lights over the Norah Head area, which reportedly left northwards at high speed. Bill Chalker suggests joint US/Australian naval exercises off the coast that week might be the cause.
• 'UFO not a burning bag': A woman in Berkeley Vale, NSW, reported seeing a large, round, dark superstructure with a glow underneath, which she discounted as a burning garbage bag.
• UFO in Bucharest: On May 30-31, many people in Bucharest, Romania, watched an unidentified flying object move back and forth. An Agence France Presse journalist described it as a bright object, clearly visible despite heavy cloud, at an altitude of several thousand feet.
• United pilots report UFO, aviation magazine says: A United Airlines jumbo jet reported an encounter with an unidentified aircraft that passed at supersonic speed beneath the 747, about 50 miles northeast of Los Angeles. The craft was described as dark-colored, about the size of a jet fighter, with a fuselage similar to an SR-71 spy plane, lacking wings but having a tail.

TUFOIC Information and Publications

The Tasmanian UFO Investigation Centre (TUFOIC) is presented as a serious-minded civilian organization dedicated to investigating UFO reports objectively. It aims to make reliable information available and draws no conclusions beyond the existence of unexplained phenomena, requiring further research. Reports considered authentic are forwarded to UFO Research Australia for inclusion in a national database.

TUFOIC is based in Hobart and maintains contact with fellow organizations and researchers globally. Membership is open to interested individuals, with a publications-only subscription also available. The bulletin lists subscription rates for Australia and other countries. It also details various TUFOIC publications for sale, including:

• Tasmanian U.F.O. Sightings Catalogue - TASCAT 1991
• TASCAT Category Printouts
• Tasmanian UFO Landings Catalogue - Second Edition
• The Cressy Document
• Maatsuyker Island Document
• North-East Tasmania - 1974 Document
• UFO Tasmania Magazines (1978-1993)
• The TUFOIC Annual Report Magazine

Editorial Stance and Recurring Themes

The overall tone of the bulletin is one of serious investigation and information dissemination regarding UFO phenomena. The recurring themes are the reporting and cataloging of sightings, the investigation of these phenomena by organizations like TUFOIC, and the sharing of information through publications and bulletins. The editorial stance appears to be open-minded and data-driven, encouraging further research and public awareness without jumping to definitive conclusions. The opening article about the "UFO Shop" in Hobart highlights the public's interest and the relief of finding others who share this interest, suggesting a community aspect to UFO research.