UFOIC Newsletter - No 20 August 1968

Magazine Overview

This issue of the U.F.O.I.C. Newsletter, No. 20, dated August 1968, is a bi-monthly publication from Sydney, Australia. It reports on a UFO symposium in Washington, numerous global UFO sightings, and activities of Australian UFO research groups. The cover headline highlights "STRANGE LIGHTS & OBJECTS OVER AND AROUND SYDNEY & ENVIRONS". The price is 20c, with annual membership at $1.00.

World Scene: UFO Symposium in Washington

The issue details a symposium on UFOs organized by the House Committee on Science and Astronautics in Washington on July 29th, 1968. Dr. Hynek emphasized the lack of scientifically adequate investigation and urged the United Nations to take up the problem with international cooperation. Dr. McDonald argued that the extraterrestrial hypothesis best fits the observations and criticized meteorological explanations. Dr. Carl Sagan of Cornell University discussed the likelihood of life on other planets and suggested radio-astronomy research could yield evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence, though he felt current UFO evidence was not yet persuasive. Dr. Robert Hall from the University of Illinois stated that the UFO problem is not a "hysterical contagion" and discussed factors influencing witness reluctance and public reaction to UFO announcements, advocating for gradual public education. Dr. James Harder of the University of California discussed UFO propulsion and UABATUBA Magnesium samples suggesting extraterrestrial origin. Dr. Robert Baker of UCLA proposed setting up radar nets to detect non-conventional objects. Photogrammetric data from Utah and Great Falls movie shots were also analyzed. The symposium included debates with members of the committee, including Hon. George P. Miller.

World Sightings

Several UFO incidents are reported globally:

• U.S.A. Ithaca: On December 12th, 1967, Mrs. Rita Malley and her son reported an object of 50-60 feet in diameter that stopped their car's engine and pulled the vehicle sideways. The object hovered at 120 feet, emitting lights and a humming sound described as "voices". The incident occurred near where Paul Donalds was killed in a tractor trailer accident.
• Peru: On February 2nd, 1968, Captain Oswaldo Sanvitti and 52 passengers on a DC4 observed a luminous cone-shaped object flashing brilliant colours. The plane's radio went dead, cabin lights dimmed, and the object performed maneuvers before vanishing. It reappeared with a second object before disappearing again. The object was estimated to be 230 feet in diameter with a funnel-shaped bottom.
• U.S.A. Jennings: On April 5th, 1968, Peter Bardon, a truck driver, saw a circular, transparent object described as two discs joined together, emitting a humming sound. It separated and shot off independently.
• New Zealand: On June 6th, 1968, a UFO resembling a long white cigar was tracked by radar from Waihi to Tauranga at speeds of 70-90 m.p.h. Airports confirmed no conventional aircraft were in the area. The previous night, a bright red object was seen hovering over Hospital Hill, Napier.

Australian Scene

• CAPIO Third National Convention, Canberra: Held from June 8th to 10th, 1968, this convention aimed to coordinate UFO research among Australian groups. Eleven delegates representing 15 societies attended. Discussions focused on joint contributions and cooperation. Guest speakers included Dr. M. Lindtner and Mr. M. Miller from Mt. Stromlo Observatory, discussing "The Implication of Science in UFO Research" and "The Techniques of Visual Observation". The Canberra UFO Research Society was praised for its organization.
• Banyal, Victoria: In July, thirteen schoolboys witnessed a silent, round, flat, silvery grey object with a "hole in the middle" that streaked upwards and disappeared.
• Kingston on Murray, South Australia: On September 27th, 1967, a drilling team sighted an object approaching at high speed, which deviated and hovered for three hours, changing shape. A similar object was seen the next day. On October 6th, the UFO was seen moving slowly across the sky.
• Killarney Valley, Gosford, NSW: On March 11th, 1968, Miss Grace Adam observed a disc-shaped metallic object plummeting, hovering, and then shooting off at fantastic speed.
• Brisbane, QLD: "Flying saucer nests" similar to those found in Tully in 1966 were discovered in a cane field near Cairns.
• Liverpool, NSW: On June 7th, 1968, Miss Pamela Smith and family observed a strange object that moved, stopped, reversed direction, and repeated this maneuver, flashing green and red lights.
• Punchbowl, NSW: On August 5th, Brian Buckley, a milk vendor, saw a bright shiny, disc-shaped, metallic object passing silently and very fast over a house.
• Sydney-Wollongong, NSW: On July 24th, multiple witnesses reported a large, cigar-shaped white light moving at jet-plane speed, possibly a "glowing mother-ship".

Strange Lights & Objects Over and Around Sydney & Environs

Numerous reports were received during July and August concerning strange lights and objects over Sydney. On August 30th, journalists observed two pulsating red, green, and white lights hovering for thirty minutes. On August 17th, a whitish metallic, cigar-shaped object was sighted flying over the harbour and Blacktown area, disappearing vertically. On August 10th, a signalman and assistant witnessed strange lights forming triangle patterns. In July, Neville Beckett, an electric train driver, observed two brilliant lights joined by an invisible bond hovering over Channel 9 and Channel 2 TV towers.

UFOIC News and Forthcoming Events

• Research Activities: Eleven members with electronic qualifications have offered services for research. Plans include constructing equipment for exploring UFO communication via light, UV, and radio waves, and building a geiger counter. Land is being sought for a UFOIC observatory near Sydney.
• Voluntary Work: A circular is issued asking members to fill in information for voluntary work, to help correct administrative irregularities.
• Voluntary Workers Teams: Following the success of a UFOIC Exhibition, plans are underway for permanent UFO display facilities using four large display boards. Members like Mr. Blatman, Mr. Szep, Mr. Schiffrer, and Dr. Lindtner have contributed to this project.
• Skywatch Night on 1st June: Organized with the Picton Ufological Society, this event involved a lecture, an exhibition, and observation points near the Sydney Water Board Catchment Area. While no official UFO was sighted, it allowed members to socialize and gain astronomical experience.
• July Social: A social event at Mr. Blatman's residence featured a lecture on the world UFO situation and a demonstration of messages transmitted by modulated light.
• August General Meeting: Attended by 122 members, this meeting covered latest UFO events, photograph analysis, and personal UFO case presentations. Several new members joined.
• Next Social: Scheduled for September 6th, hosted by Mr. & Mrs. Simpson, featuring Mr. W. Robertson of Sydney Observatory as guest speaker on "The Moon".
• Library: Members are reminded to return borrowed books within a fortnight to avoid additional charges.
• New Contacts: The Society has established eleven new contacts with overseas groups, bringing the total to 16.
• Vacancies in Committee: Members interested in standing for election in December are invited to make themselves known to the Committee.
• Country Members: An invitation is extended to country members to form sub-groups to relay sightings to UFOIC Headquarters.
• Membership Fee: Members outstanding in their 1968 subscriptions are reminded that tolerance cannot continue forever.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes the serious investigation of UFO phenomena, advocating for scientific research, international cooperation, and public education. It highlights the efforts of UFOIC and affiliated groups in gathering data, developing equipment, and disseminating information. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging member participation and the sharing of experiences, while also addressing organizational matters and the need for administrative efficiency.