UFOIC Newsletter - No 35 May-June 1972

Magazine Overview

This issue of the U.F.O.I.C. Newsletter, published bi-monthly, is dated May/June 1972 and is identified as issue number 35. The publication is based in Sydney, Australia. The cover features the title prominently, along with details of office bearers and upcoming meeting dates. The main article on the cover is titled "WHAT'S IN A NAME?" by Frank W. H. Wilks.

Key Articles and Content

"WHAT'S IN A NAME?" by Frank W. H. Wilks

This article explores a potential pattern in UFO sightings related to place names containing the word 'BURRA'. The author, Frank W. H. Wilks, Director of Research for UFOIC and President/Secretary of UFORPA, notes that several recent UFO investigations have occurred in towns named 'BURRA' or 'BURRAga'. He recalls a previous investigation in the BURRAgorang Valley and speculates that 'BURRA' might be an Aboriginal word for 'BIRD', citing KookaBURRA as an example. The article also mentions an investigation into a UFO sighting involving a photo at Roorooka, Kempsey, and the analysis of a piece of slag found in KookaBURRA Forrest. The author draws a parallel to Kenneth Arnold's reference to slag falling from the skies in "The Coming of The Saucers". Further sightings in areas like CulBURRA and BullaBURRA are noted. Wilks invites readers to share information about other 'BURRA' locations experiencing strange phenomena and to provide the true meaning of the word 'BURRA'.

"FIRST JOURNEY" by John M. Prytz, B.Sc.

This article focuses on the American spacecraft Pioneer 10, launched on a mission to explore the region between Earth and Jupiter and to transmit findings back to Earth. It highlights Pioneer 10 as the first spacecraft to travel beyond Mars and to challenge the Asteroid Belt. The article emphasizes the spacecraft's symbolic significance as humanity's "First Journey" to the stars. A key aspect discussed is the small gold anodised aluminium plate attached to the antenna, containing information about humanity, including diagrams of a naked man and woman, and details about our Sun and planets. This plate is intended as a message to any alien race that might discover the craft in the future. The author reflects on the vastness of space and the low probability of Pioneer 10 being found, let alone its message being understood, given the immense distances and time scales involved. He expresses a sense of regret that humanity will likely not live to know the outcome of this interstellar message.

Editorial

The editorial section reports on the well-attended May meeting, featuring a guest speaker, Mr. Jim Scarano, who discussed 'Mind Dynamics'. The talk was followed by a demonstration by Mrs. Beverley Withers, who reportedly described features and illnesses from names on cards. The editorial encourages members to attend these social meetings, with the next one scheduled for Saturday, July 1st.

Australian Sightings (Reported May-June, 1972)

This section compiles several UFO sighting reports from various locations in Australia:

• Gladstone: A family reported seeing an amber scarlet shaped saucer travelling east for 20 seconds, accompanied by dog noise.
• Gladstone: Another report describes an amber object sighted about 50° from the horizon, travelling east, then turning south, then east again, disappearing over the horizon.
• Croydon, Northern Queensland: A search for a crashed UFO failed to find any trace, with witnesses describing the object as a bright silver body shaped like a telegraph pole.
• Mt. Colah, N.S.W.: An object with blue and orange colours was sighted, initially stationary, then moving off slowly, becoming stationary again, and finally heading east at high speed.
• Wagga: A farmer and his family reported a UFO described as an elliptical white shape that tipped, darted away, and trailed a red flame-like tail.

UFO Research & Investigation Report

This report from Glenside, South Australia, states that out of 115 UFOs reported in 1972, 88 remained unexplained, with only 19 considered 'hard core' cases. Comparisons with general Australian UFO reports indicated peaks in New Zealand (May) and Western Victoria (June/July).

Excerpt from letter received 18.11.71 (Eastlakes, N.S.W.)

A letter describes a sighting near Byron Bay where two 'stars' appeared to descend slowly, stop, and then rise vertically, moving slowly and changing direction. The author distinguishes these from shooting stars and notes they did not twinkle like stars but reflected starlight or shone with their own power.

Sighting reported from Long Jetty, 27.4.72

A sighting near Keepit Dam described an object the size of a large orange held at arm's length, moving at fantastic speed, leaping across the sky without sound, and then shooting straight up.

Report of a sighting at Coffs Harbour, N.S.W. 27.4.72

This report details a sighting on January 14th, 1972, of a star-sized light that zig-zagged violently across the sky, travelled straight, and then zig-zagged again, disappearing behind clouds. The estimated altitude was 3-5000 feet.

"ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD" by Frank Wilks

This article debunks an alleged 'saucer-nest' discovery at Warragamba Dam, N.S.W. Reports of strange marks forming a 33-foot diameter circle on a property, initially thought to be a UFO landing site, were investigated and found to be car skid marks ('Wheeleys'). The article notes similarities to 'saucer-nests' reported in Tokoroa, New Zealand. It also mentions other related reports of sightings and sounds in the area, but concludes that the Warragamba incident was a false alarm. The affair was reported in the Sydney Morning Herald, Telegraph, and Sun, and on radio and TV.

Postscript to "Unidentified Radio Signals"

This postscript addresses a previous article on 'Unidentified Radio Signals' concerning a 1953 incident involving the reception of signals from a defunct Texas TV station. It cites a claim from 'Popular Electronics' suggesting the incident was a hoax engineered by a Swedish experimenter, contradicting earlier official rulings that ruled out a hoax due to the complexity and cost involved.

Meetings and Membership

Meeting Dates

• Saturday, July 1st: Social meeting at Commonweal Club, Sydney.
• Tuesday, August 1st: Public meeting at Adyar Hall, Sydney, with speaker Dr. Duggan.

Fees

Members are reminded to pay their 1972 fees. Full membership is $5.00, and Senior Citizens and Students pay $2.00.

New Members

Information is provided on how to join UFOIC, including contacting the Secretary or attending meetings.

Old Members

Encouragement is given to existing members to recruit new members.

Committee Helpers

More helpers are needed for the Committee, and interested individuals are asked to contact Mr. Moser.

Country Members

Country members are urged to send in newspaper clippings and sighting reports to the General Secretary.

Librarian

Members with overdue books are requested to return them promptly.

Foreign Language Speakers

Members or friends speaking foreign languages are asked to contact the Hon. Secretary.

August 1st Meeting

Details are provided for the August 1st meeting at Adyar Hall, featuring Dr. M.J. Duggin speaking on "THE EARTH'S RESOURCES TECHNOLOGY SATELLITE".

Absent Committee Members

Notes the change of address for Mr. Noel Wheeler and the move of Nick Shewchenko to Melbourne, expressing thanks for their contributions.

Wednesday, July 19th Meeting

An invitation to visit the Observation in Sydney at 7.30 p.m. for an election of officers and a Presidential Address by Mr. Moser on "ORIGIN AND MEANING OF STAR NAMES."

"EPIDIASCOPE" Search

The committee is seeking information on the whereabouts of an 'epidiascope'.

The Library

Information on the new library location at 2 Iredale Street, Newtown, N.S.W.

Committee Meetings

Committee meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m.

May Committee Meeting

Report on a talk by Osborne Davis, author of "The Space Age and Mortal Man", who shared experiences with coloured lights and UFO-related dreams.

First Saturday in July Meeting

Reminder of the social gathering on the first Saturday in July at the Commonweal Club.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings and investigations, particularly within Australia. There's a focus on analyzing patterns, such as the 'BURRA' name connection, and debunking sensationalized reports, like the Warragamba 'saucer-nest'. The newsletter also touches upon broader themes of space exploration and humanity's place in the universe, exemplified by the Pioneer 10 article. The editorial stance appears to be one of diligent investigation, open-mindedness to phenomena, but also a commitment to rational explanation and debunking hoaxes or misidentifications. The publication actively encourages member participation through reports, meetings, and discussions.