TUFOIC Newsletter - No 100 - January 2007

Magazine Overview

Title: TUFOIC REPORT 2006
Issue: January 2007 Edition 100
Publisher: TUFOIC (Tasmanian UFO Investigation Centre)
Country: Australia
Date: January 2007

This issue of the TUFOIC Report provides a review of the year 2006 for UFO investigations in Tasmania, alongside a compilation of notable historical sightings and publications from the Centre.

Year in Review 2006

The year 2006 is described as a "forgettable year" for the Tasmanian UFO Investigation Centre, marked by a significant decline in reported UFO sightings. The early promise of the year quickly dried up, resulting in a total of only 5 unidentified cases, with just one occurring after February. This decline in activity mirrored the Australian drought. Furthermore, attendance at the Centre's meetings dwindled, leading to the cessation of regular meetings. The Centre plans to hold its Annual Meeting and will convene additional meetings only if UFO events increase in intensity. To keep members informed, the Centre aims to establish an e-mail service to share the latest statistics and events. Members will continue to receive the "Ufologist" magazine.

The total number of investigations also fell, but the Centre continued to offer its service to the public, explaining sightings in the night sky. Media coverage was minimal, primarily confined to February when a video of an object surfaced. This object was later identified as the planet Venus. The publicity surrounding this event, rather than uncovering more activity, seemed to suppress UFO reports for the remainder of the year. The Centre maintained its association with the Australian UFO Research Network and followed up on reports received through their Australia-wide UFO Hotline.

A notable event during the year was the appearance of a website claiming sensational Australia-wide sightings with video coverage. Investigations revealed that a budding producer had received a grant from the Australian Film Council and had presented bogus data as genuine events. The project's aim was to gauge the response from UFO groups and the public, with the Centre feeling that private UFO groups might be more deserving of grants to cover research expenses.

TUFOIC Statistics 2006

• The report includes a statistical breakdown of the 68 cases investigated in 2006:
• Unidentified: 5
• Astronomical: 27
• Aircraft: 3
• Satellites: 9
• Balloon Hoaxes: 17
• Others: 7

TUFOIC Publications

• The magazine lists several publications available from TUFOIC, with prices and descriptions:
• TASMANIAN U.F.O. SIGHTINGS CATALOGUE TASCAT 2005: A register of over 500 Tasmanian UFO cases ($3.00).
• TASMANIAN UFO LANDINGS CATALOGUE - Fourth Edition (2000): A compilation of Tasmanian UFOs seen on or near ground level ($3.00).
• CRESSY DOCUMENT: Details one of the state's most significant UFO sightings ($3.00).
• MAATSUYKER ISLAND DOCUMENT: Covers UFO reports from a lonely lighthouse island ($3.00).
• NORTH-EAST TASMANIA - 1974 DOCUMENT: Documents the largest Tasmanian UFO flap in 1974 ($3.00).
• UFO TASMANIA: The TUFOIC Annual Report. Various single editions are available at $1.00.
• MYSTERIOUS MELODALE: Details strange paranormal events and baffling occurrences recorded by the Centre ($3.00).

All prices include return postage (surface mail). Overseas air mail rates are available on request. Payment can be made via money order or bank cheque within Australia.

TUFOIC Contact Information

• Address: P.O. Box 174, South Hobart, Tasmania. 7004.
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: http://www.tufoic.ne1.net
• Telephone: 03 62236009

Executive: Janis Burns (President), Keith Roberts (Secretary), Ray Thomas (Librarian).

Objectives of TUFOIC

• To investigate Tasmanian UFO reports.
• To publish details of UFO reports and maintain a UFO database.
• To distribute authentic information to members and fellow UFO organisations.
• Membership is open to all who support the aims of the Centre.

Tasmanian Sightings 2006

January 3rd, 1.35 am, Bass Strait

A witness travelling on the Spirit One ferry observed a bright light in the north-west sky. The light zoomed up near the stern of the vessel, revealing a large triangular shape with lights, approximately 3-400m distant. The object had a wider side facing the witness, tilted at a 30-degree angle, with a row of five white lights on the leading edge and double rows of lights on the underside. No sound was detected. The object appeared large, much bigger than the apparent size of a full moon. The witness managed to film the light, which later appeared as a distant line of lights on the video, though it was suggested by TV crew that it might have been Spirit Two. However, the film was taken before the vessels passed, and the object was approaching from the opposite direction.

January 31st, 11.45 pm, Sisters Creek

While travelling west on the Bass Highway, witnesses noticed lights to the northern side of the highway. A large red light flashed randomly and changed to blue. Other times, three lights appeared in a triangle formation. Stopping the car, they observed the lights with no apparent explanation or noise. Later, as they turned towards home, a blue light appeared to the south, then to their right (west), appearing as a large red light low over a ploughed paddock. This light seemed low and close, bathing the ground in a red glow. It maintained station for a couple of kilometers before turning off. The area covered by the lights was estimated to be two full moons wide, and the lights were low and sometimes obscured by roadside buildings. The distance was hard to gauge, but at one point the red light was estimated to be 50-100m distant.

Local enquiries revealed no aircraft, astronomical, or other explanations for the lights. The publicity surrounding this event in the Burnie Advocate led to another report later that night from Wynyard.

February 1st, Wynyard

While up in the early hours, a witness glanced out the window and saw an amber-coloured object in the eastern sky, resembling a curved banana, about ¼ the size of the moon. The object seemed to fade from view with its colour disappearing from the base upwards, and was not visible after about 30 seconds. There was no air traffic, and the moon had not yet risen.

February 6th, 5.00 am, Riverside

In Launceston, a witness saw four bright lights travelling north-west, followed by two more lights, one ahead and one behind, all moving at the same speed. Contact with Launceston Airport confirmed no known aircraft were in the area. Astronomical explanations were also ruled out.

April 23rd, 10.30 pm, Trevallyn

Barking dogs alerted witnesses to a red moving light in the north-western sky. The light approached erratically, lost elevation, and dropped towards a clearing. It disappeared behind a tree, after which three elongated dull yellow lights were seen near ground level. Beams of light were briefly seen emanating from the yellow lights. After about 15 minutes, the silent lights faded away. A daylight visit revealed nothing, and power authorities could not provide an explanation. Police had received no calls about the lights, nor had the local media.

Top Tasmanian Cases

The report highlights several significant UFO cases from Tasmania, selected based on investigation quality, probability of events occurring as described, timely reporting, and lack of ready explanation.

October 4, 1960, Cressy

This is described as one of Tasmania's best-known UFO cases, investigated by the RAAF and widely covered in the media, even prompting questions in the Australian Federal Parliament. Reverend Lionel Browning and his wife observed a cigar-shaped object emerge from clouds, followed by smaller disc-like objects. They moved back into the clouds and disappeared. Launceston Airport reported no air traffic. The RAAF concluded the Brownings had seen the rising moon reflecting on scud cloud. Reverend Browning contested this, citing cloud cover and bright sunshine. Investigator Bill Chalker later uncovered a RAAF report from November of that year detailing a high-flying US Air Force aircraft over the Tamar Valley reporting an object passing beneath it, with no explanation.

December 7, 1971, Lachlan

Mercury journalist DR Moult was among witnesses to this lengthy sighting. A farmer irrigating crops saw a bright round area of light with a flashing light approaching from the north, resembling a helicopter about to crash. As the farmer ran for cover, the object receded into the sky.

Sightings Continued

Tasmania's Best Contd:

September 16, 1974, Priory: A mother returning home with her children experienced her car radio cutting out, followed by a bright light illuminating the sky. The car lost power and went dead, accompanied by a deafening vibrating noise and electric shocks. A choking smell filled the car. The mother and children fled to a nearby residence. The car started normally after a check, but the mother suffered swollen arms and fingers, and a red mark above her right eye, and a numb face on the right side the following day.

September 22, 1974, Tayene: A witness parked by the roadside saw an object approaching. The car radio emitted a piercing sound, and the witness saw a brilliant dome-shaped object with a grey base take up a position about 30m away. The witness attempted to drive away but bogged the car. The object moved away over the valley and rose vertically into the clouds. The case was investigated by the RAAF and TUFOIC. The witness understandably attempted to drive away but only bogged the car at the side of the road.

SIGHTINGS CONTINUED:

Following the Tayene sighting, the object commenced movement away from the ship's stern. The witness managed to film the light, which was seen in the north-west again at a low angle of 15 degrees, shrinking until out of sight. The witness had several minutes of film and caught sight of a similar light for a few more seconds in the far distance. The film, when checked at Southern Cross TV (Launceston), only revealed a small light on a dark screen. Later analysis showed a distant line of lights. It was suggested by the crew that the witness had seen Spirit Two. However, the film was taken before the vessels passed, and the object was approaching from the opposite direction to Spirit Two. The case remains unexplained.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of TUFOIC Report include detailed accounts of UFO sightings across Tasmania, ranging from close encounters with distinct objects to unexplained lights in the sky. The report emphasizes the importance of thorough investigation, as evidenced by the Centre's collaboration with organizations like the RAAF and its follow-up on reports. There is a clear stance against the fabrication of UFO evidence, as highlighted by the critique of the Australian Film Council-funded project. The publication also serves as a historical archive, documenting significant UFO events in Tasmania over several decades, underscoring the persistent nature of these phenomena in the region. The editorial stance appears to be one of diligent inquiry and a commitment to presenting credible information to the public and its members.