TUFOIC Newsletter - No 107 - January 2014

Magazine Overview

Title: TUFOIC REPORT
Issue: 107
Volume: 2013
Date: January 2014
Publisher: TUFOIC
Country: Australia
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of the TUFOIC Report provides a comprehensive overview of UFO and anomalous light sightings in Tasmania during 2013, alongside details of TUFOIC's publications and statistics. The magazine highlights a shift in reporting methods and discusses several key incidents.

Year in Review 2013

The year 2013 is described as one of "stops and starts." It began with an early report from George Town and saw publicity for the Highland Lakes event. However, reports dwindled in April, with many sightings later attributed to Venus, which was at a higher elevation and brighter than usual. The latter part of the year saw a return of activity, with the highlight being Team Paranormal's encounter at Highland Lakes in late November. The year did not start convincingly, with the Hobart 'Mercury' featuring an alleged UFO picture from Dodges Ferry that appeared to be a downloaded image pasted onto a local scene. March saw reports of light trails in the sky, likely due to commercial aircraft lights. June brought reports of beams in the Hobart night sky, identified as the MOFO winter laser beam display. Another incident involved flashing lights over the Domain, explained as a remote-controlled model flying through a laser beam. The year concluded with a report of multi-coloured light panels east of Scottsdale.

Key Sightings and Incidents

Several specific incidents are detailed:

• December 4th, Midway Point: Two witnesses observed five lights low to the southwest, displaying steady green, red, and white lights with two smaller white lights. The lights did not move for 20 minutes. Investigations by Hobart and Cambridge airports yielded no explanation.
• Highland Lakes Reports (2012-2013): Witnesses reported viewing lights that declined over summer but increased with winter nights. Attempts to approach the lights resulted in them blinking off. In June, a larger blue light was seen joining the original. In October, a high-pitched beeping sound was heard, followed by a small circle of white light appearing on a bedroom wall before vanishing.
• November 29-30th, Highland Lakes: Team Paranormal visited the property, observing light flashes and capturing an image. Later, several small lights were seen moving through trees.
• January 13th, George Town: Two witnesses saw blue and white light flashes near Mt George. They observed a large, curved, internally lit object over a gully. The flashes continued until after midnight, followed by a yellowish shape that rose up through the lights before they disappeared.
• May, Derwent Valley: An unexplained beam of light was captured by a game trail camera, appearing as a white beam shining onto the ground at an angle.
• October 15th, Campania: Two witnesses reported a pair of fast-moving, star-sized white lights moving south and flashing in unison.
• November 4th, Triabunna: A witness observed a large light in the north that made a ninety-degree turn, headed skyward, then turned east and faded away.
• Scottsdale: A couple reported multi-coloured light panels.

TUFOIC Publications

The magazine lists several publications available for purchase:

• TASMANIAN A UFO HISTORY: 78 pages covering sightings from 1898 to the present. Available in colour for $30 and black & white for $20.
• TASMANIAN and THE UFO UFOs of HIGH MERIT: Tasmania's Top Sightings for $3.00.
• CRESSY DOCUMENT: Details a significant UFO sighting in Cressy for $3.00.
• MAATSUYKER ISLAND DOCUMENT: Covers reports from the lonely lighthouse island for $3.00.
• NORTH-EAST TASMANIA - 1974 DOCUMENT: Details the largest UFO flap in the region for $3.00.
• MYSTERIOUS MELODALE: Covers strange paranormal events over years for $3.00.
• Various single editions are available for $1.00.
• All prices include return postage within Australia (surface mail).

TUFOIC Statistics 2013

The Centre recorded 51 unidentified sightings in 2013, categorized as follows:

• Unidentified: 5
• Astronomical: 15
• Aircraft: 6
• Satellites: 7
• Balloons/Kites: 5
• Others: 13

Centre Operations and Membership

The decline in direct telephone reports has been offset by increased use of the Centre's Facebook site. However, this makes establishing direct contact with witnesses more challenging. Pioneer Productions (UK) contacted the Centre for a UFO documentary for the National Geographic Channel, but did not visit Tasmania. The Centre's Northern Representative, Phil Polden, and his family have returned to Tasmania and are managing the Facebook site. Sadly, one of the Centre's oldest members, Eric Bantick, who was a founding member and served as President from 1967 to 1973, passed away in June at the age of 98.

Contact Information

TUFOIC's contact details are provided:

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

The executive members are listed as Janis Burns (President), Keith Roberts (Secretary), Ray Thomas (Librarian), and Phil Polden (North Rep).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the ongoing nature of UFO and anomalous light sightings in Tasmania, the challenges in investigating and explaining these phenomena, and the importance of documenting these events. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation and documentation, providing a platform for witness accounts and offering resources through publications. There is an emphasis on the local nature of many sightings, with specific locations like Highland Lakes, George Town, and Derwent Valley frequently mentioned. The magazine also acknowledges the role of technology, both in capturing evidence (game trail cameras) and in communication (Facebook).