TUFOIC Newsletter - No 092 - October 2002

Magazine Overview

This document is the October 2002 edition (Issue 92) of the TUFOIC Newsletter, published by the Tasmanian UFO Investigation Centre. It covers a range of UFO-related news, reports, and case studies, with a focus on sightings in Tasmania and internationally. The newsletter also lists available TUFOIC publications.

Year to Date

The "Year to Date" section begins by acknowledging that the UFO business can be a frustrating affair. It notes that while information indicates events of interest globally, such as UFOs landing in crops in Greece and auto-stop cases in Argentina (including a farmer being paralysed and having his mobile phone hijacked), local activity in Tasmania is less dramatic. Efforts by local police to respond to a 'ET phone home' case failed. While crop circles are developing with new features like faces on fields, local sightings are primarily limited to 'lights in the sky'. The issue mentions renewed interest in cases from the St Helens area from 2000-2001, but witnesses were reluctant to provide details.

A sighting in Launceston during July involved the filming of bright orange lights, the nature of which (genuine UFO or hoax) is difficult to determine. The Centre notes that incoming call rates are at their lowest in 10 years, but anticipates a potential 'sudden flap' in the future, as most reports historically occur during the winter months. Sightings tend to decrease with daylight saving and longer summer evenings. The phenomena has received some press mentions, including a meteorite over Northern Tasmania on April 1st, a mystery balloon over Fern Tree on May 25th, another meteorite over Southern Tasmania on May 30th, and a space debris re-entry off the north-west coast.

TUFOIC Contact Information and Executive

The newsletter provides contact details for TUFOIC, including a PO Box in South Hobart, Tasmania, an email address ([email protected]), and a website (www.netspace.net.au/~tufoic). The executive members are listed as Bill Kelly (President), Keith Roberts (Secretary), Ian Porritt (Liaison), Alis Jacob (Publication distribution), and Ray Thomas (Librarian).

Tasmanian Sightings

The newsletter details several specific sightings from Tasmania:

• 2001. October 18th. 10.30pm. Kingston: A witness reported three star-like lights moving erratically, then approaching before hovering. The lights changed color from yellowish to blue and were joined by two more. They moved south-east and disappeared vertically at high speed. The witness had seen similar lights previously.
• 2002. January 14th. 9.10pm. Launceston: A witness observed a round, dark blob moving slowly from the north-west. It became stationary with a solid red light below before entering a cloud and disappearing. Air Traffic reported no aircraft movements in the area at that time.
• 2002. January 30th. 8.50pm. Sorell: A bright spot of light was noticed in a photograph taken by a witness using a digital camera. The spot was below clouds and stood out against the background. Nothing was observed at the time of photography.
• 2002. February 17th. 11.30pm. Launceston: Three small star-like lights were observed moving easterly in a triangle formation. The leading light moved out of formation, and the remaining two were lost to view. No noise was reported.
• 2002 February 23rd. 10.42pm. Mountain River: Three star-like lights were observed moving towards the south-east. They gained elevation and formed a triangle. A shooting star appeared, and the lights then shot straight up and disappeared. The same or a similar formation was observed the next morning, again disappearing after a shooting star.
• 2002. May 14th. 5.24am. Lauderdale: A witness on Lauderdale beach noticed a distinct circle of white light on the beach, connected to a beam up into the sky. A stationary object was briefly seen above trees, which then moved over the beach, causing the circle of light to disappear. The object moved out over the bay and seemed to disappear. It was described as shaped like a torch with a rounded dark area at the front and tapering towards the rear.
• 2002. May 14th. (approx. same time). Kingston: A witness reported a strange bright light source in their garden, causing a sun umbrella to spin and flap. The light flickered and went out. Inspection revealed the moon was not out and conditions were calm.
• 2002. May 17th. 9.15pm. New Norfolk: Two witnesses observed a bright, white light in the south-west sky, changing to red and orange. It remained stationary for several minutes before shooting off towards the north-west at high speed.
• 2002 July 27th. 9pm. Riverside: Two orange lights were seen moving south over the Tamar River. A similar lone orange light was seen later. Other residents in the street also reported seeing the lights.

Police Sighting of UFO

An article from the Sunraysia Daily (May 18, 2002) reports that two police officers in Mildura, Victoria, saw a silver shape hovering above the river. The UFO appeared to spot them and then shot off at high speed. Allan Wilson of the Victorian UFO Research Society stated that sightings around bodies of water are frequent.

A Strange Dream?

A Hobart resident reported a dream-like event on April 17th (2002). He experienced a beam of light coming through his ceiling, felt himself rise up, and found himself in a white room with figures. He felt something pushed up his nose and then woke up with a sore nose. His wife confirmed an abrasion inside his nostril, and he fainted twice that day. The doctor found no problem. The witness found the dream realistic and unexplained, given his lack of prior interest in UFOs.

Landings of 1969

This section details six low-level UFO landing cases from 1969, considered a turning point for local investigations:

1. Southport Lagoon, March 1969 (Investigation: Tattersall, Roberts): A round silver object, appearing aluminum-type, was seen on the beach. It later assumed an orange-red glow and took off into the sky at high speed. Two years later, two fishermen reported being followed by a yellow cigar shape with a glow.
2. Kelvedon, May 7 (Investigation: Dunbabin, Bennetto): Two boys reported an oval object near ground level on a slope. It glowed orange with red lights and white lights. The object was seen moving at rapid speed over the sea. The Tasmanian Flying Saucer Observers Association (now defunct) investigated.
3. Glenorchy, May 22 (Investigation: Bantick, Bigwood, Dunbabin): Mr G.Longey reported seeing an elliptical shaped object with brilliant lit areas take off from his back lawn. He notified police and the RAAF. He found an elliptical ring of scorched grass and broken limbs on the back lawn. Radioactivity tests were negative.
4. Mt. Lloyd, May 23 (Investigation: Roberts): A round red light was seen by a family. The light drifted away, gained elevation, and returned later, appearing stationary like a street light.
5. Central Plateau, Winter Time (Investigation: Roberts): A motorist saw a bright glow, which turned out to be a large dome-shaped object on the ground emitting an orange glow. The object rose slowly and receded.
6. Paddy Island, October 28 (Investigation: Roberts, TUFOB): Two scallop boat crews observed a well-defined red-orange, disc-like object with a dome on top and orange squares on its body. It approached slowly, remained stationary, then rose up, changed to purple, and departed at high speed.

TUFOIC Publications

The final page lists various TUFOIC publications available for purchase, including:

• Cressy Document ($3.00)
• Maatsuyker Island Document ($3.00)
• North-East Tasmania - 1974 Document ($3.00)
• Mysterious Melodale ($3.00)
• Tasmanian UFO Sightings Catalogue-TASCAT 2001 ($3.00)
• Tasmanian UFO Landings Catalogue-4th Edition (2000) ($3.00)
• UFO Tasmania Annual Reports ($1.00 each)

Prices include return postage within Australia. Overseas air mail rates are available on request. Payment can be made via Money Order or Bank Cheque within Australia.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this newsletter are UFO sightings, particularly in Tasmania, and the investigation of these phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of diligent reporting and investigation, acknowledging the frustrations inherent in the field while presenting factual accounts and case studies. There's a clear emphasis on documenting historical and contemporary events, encouraging witness participation, and making information accessible through publications. The newsletter also touches upon the broader context of UFO phenomena globally and the challenges of distinguishing genuine sightings from hoaxes or misidentifications.