TUFOIC Newsletter - No 109 - January-2016

Magazine Overview

Title: TUFOIC REPORT 2015
Issue Date: January 2016 (Edition 109)
Publisher: TUFOIC (Tasmanian UFO Investigation Centre)
Country: Australia
Language: English

This report marks the end of an era for the Tasmanian UFO Investigation Centre (TUFOIC), which ceased operations in December 2015 after 50 years of dedicated investigation into UFO sightings across Tasmania. The report, dated January 2016, serves as a final overview of the Centre's activities and a look back at its extensive history.

Year in Review 2015

The year 2015 was significant as it marked the closure of TUFOIC as an official organization. The Centre, founded in October 1965, had meticulously investigated and collected data on Tasmanian UFO sightings for five decades. While the organization is no longer active, Phil Polden, the former Northern Representative, will continue to maintain an investigation into sightings by operating a Facebook site under the name of TUFOIC. The report acknowledges that the cessation of the Centre might be perceived as a defeat, but emphasizes that its aim to investigate and distribute information on UFO sightings was achieved over its 50 years of operation. The Centre maintained a log of investigations, enabling analysis of unidentified and unexplained events. Tasmanian cases generally mirrored global trends, including a noted downturn in Close Encounters. TUFOIC produced Annual and Special Reports, culminating in a 78-page booklet, 'Tasmania a UFO History' (2011). All publications are filed with the Tasmanian State or Federal Libraries, and Phil Polden will hold the Centre's unidentified case files, covering the period from the 1950s to 2015.

TUFOIC Report 2015 - General Observations

The past year saw a shift towards online communication, with the removal of the Centre's telephone numbers from the local directory. Phil Polden established a Facebook page, which kept the Centre in the public eye, focusing on digital pictures from witnesses and the common query, "is this a UFO?". The report notes that many such pictures are lens flares or birds. A challenge in modern communication is the anonymity of witnesses, which can make collecting full details difficult and analysis fraught with danger. Reports received in 2015 were the most since 2005, but the number of unidentified cases remained low. The majority of cases involved lights in the sky, often orange, which floated or faded out, with many suspected to be hoax devices. Ongoing events continue at the Highland Lakes location, with hopes that mainland investigators might bring conclusions in early 2016.

TUFOIC Statistics 2015

• The statistics for 2015 show a total of 69 reported events:
• Unidentified: 3
• Astronomical: 18
• Aircraft: 8
• Satellites: 10
• Balloons /Kites: 12
• Others: 18

Astronomical and hoax balloons accounted for over 40% of the cases. Sixty-nine events were received, though not all required full investigation as initial assessments uncovered explanations. A number of events could not be finalized due to witnesses failing to respond to follow-up requests. An incident at Wynyard was reported to MUFON in the USA, but assistance via email was not responded to.

Key Incidents and Investigations

Ansons Plains. 8:30 PM. March 28th:
Two witnesses reported a bright light, estimated to be over 500m distant and 100m above trees. It appeared triangle-shaped with beams of colored light. A "meep meep" sound was heard, and an amber light approached from the south before veering away. The light moved away to the west in a strange zig-zag, jolting motion. Later, a similar light was seen to the north-east, then back to the west, and finally as a faint light in the sky. Astronomical and aircraft explanations were ruled out, leaving the report as unidentified.

2015 Highland Lake Lights Continue:
Residents at Highland Lake reported persistent near-ground lights. While often repetitive, an investigation by NSW Fortean Researcher Mike Williams noted a golf ball-sized light near a tree, which disappeared upon approach. Later, a second light was seen, and on another night, a basketball-sized light was observed. Williams' torch failed when he was about 40 meters from a light but worked normally when he moved away. Game cameras set to video function failed to record anything. In July, a resident experienced puzzling lights while waiting for a tow truck: two sparkly lights about a meter above the ground, 100 meters distant, intermittently flashing on and off for 20 minutes. These were replaced by a third light about 30m away. Later, two white lights were seen moving north and fading. The witnesses have noted numerous incidents, including lights shining into the house, rumbling sounds, electronic sounds, and light performances in the nearby bush.

TUFOIC Timeline

• The report includes a comprehensive timeline of UFO events in Tasmania from 1960 to 2015:
• 1960 October: Cressy & Northern Midlands Flap.
• 1965-66: Maatsuyker. Series of mystery lights.
• 1965 October: TUFOIC founded.
• 1971 May: Landings at Lynchford & Wilmot.
• 1971 December: Low level at Lachlan.
• 1974: Year-long flap centered in North East of state, resident UFO at Gladstone, climax in auto-stops including Priory & Tayene.
• 1975: Close encounter at Lake Sorell, flap shifts to Lake Country, more reports from Midlands.
• 1976 Summer: Maydena fly overs.
• 1978 October: King Island reports & disappearance of Valentich aircraft.
• 1979: Memory loss case. Motor vehicles affected on West Coast.
• 1982: George Town whizzing ball.
• 1983 February: Centre for UFO Conference in Hobart. Mystery paranormal events at Melodale.
• 1987 December: Strange auto-stop at Deddington.
• 1996: Tamar Valley flap with daytime sightings.
• 1998 June-July: Sightings between New Norfolk & Granton.
• 2005 Summer: Series of low level reports culminate in several cases on the same day in the Lower Midlands.
• 2011: TUFOIC produces 78-page booklet on History of the UFO in Tasmania. Mentions North East 1974, Melodale, Maatsuyker Lights, Cressy 1960, and Annual Reports from 1969-2015.
• 2015 December: TUFOIC ceases operating after 50 years.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in TUFOIC's reporting are the persistent presence of unexplained aerial phenomena in Tasmania, the challenges in gathering reliable data (especially with modern communication methods), and the cyclical nature of UFO activity, often mirroring global trends. The editorial stance, as expressed in the report, is one of diligent investigation and data collection, aiming to provide information on UFO sightings. Despite the closure of the organization, there is a clear intent to continue the work through digital platforms, suggesting a belief in the ongoing importance of UFO research. The report also highlights the difficulty in distinguishing genuine sightings from misidentifications, such as lens flares and birds, and the impact of witness anonymity on the investigation process. The persistence of unexplained lights at Highland Lake suggests that some cases remain open and require further investigation.