UFOIC Newsletter - No 38 April-May 1973

Magazine Overview

This issue of the U.F.O.I.C. Newsletter, identified as No. 38 and dated April/May, 1973, is a bi-monthly publication from Sydney, Australia. The cover features an editorial by V. Exley, who apologizes for the late appearance of the newsletter and the lack of a new editor, urging readers to continue sending in sightings and to show interest by purchasing society merchandise.

Office Bearers and Society Matters

The newsletter lists the office bearers for the organization, including President F.J. Phillips and Vice-President & Hon. Gen. Secretary W.E. Moser. A significant portion of the issue details an incident at the Annual General Meeting on December 5th, 1972, where a group of approximately 20 people attempted to gain control of UFOIC. The total membership present was 37. The meeting was chaired by the Vice President and Honorary Secretary due to the President's absence. Legal advice confirmed the illegality of the group's actions, and members were advised to disregard any decisions made. The 'pressure group' has since withdrawn, and the committee has received over 40 letters of approval from members. Information on this matter can be obtained by contacting the society at P.O. Box E170, St. James P.O., Sydney 2000.

Meetings and Events

Upcoming Members Social Meetings are scheduled for May 4th, June 29th, September 7th, and November 2nd, all to be held at the RAILWAY INSTITUTE, Room 5, usually at 7:30 pm. The venue for Public Meetings has changed from Adyar Hall to SCIENCE HOUSE in Gloucester Street, with the first meeting on June 5th. The Secretary thanks Mrs. Exley for her editorial efforts and notes her departure to New Guinea, expressing hope for a new editor to fill the role.

New Members and Contact Information

Information is provided for new members wishing to join UFOIC, with contact details including P.O. Box E170, St. James, Sydney 2000, or by attending meetings at Science House or social gatherings at the Railway Institute. Attendance at these functions does not require membership.

Historical UFO Sightings (Page 2)

Authored by William Moser, President of the British Astronomical Association and General Secretary of UFOIC, this section details numerous historical UFO sightings:

• February 7, 1884: Astronomers at Brussels Observatory observed an extremely bright spot on a planet for several days.
• March 7, 1893: French Astronomer Raymond Coulon observed a pear-shaped, iridescent, luminous object at Val de la Haye Observatory.
• July 31, 1896: Astronomers at Smith Observatory, U.S.A., noticed a dark circular disc-shaped object moving across the Moon's surface very quickly.
• December 24, 1909: An amateur astronomer in Limerick, Eire, saw a brilliant object travelling south for twenty minutes.
• 1912: Astronomer F.B. Harris reported seeing a large black, elongated object while observing the Moon.
• March 14, 1916: Astronomers at Cordoba Observatory noticed an object similar to a comet near the Zenith.
• Circa 1919: Mr. Erwin Schoen reported a round object, similar in size to the full Moon, cruising and observing near Steyr, Austria, during WWI.
• June 24, 1947: Astronomer Fred Johnson in Oregon reported seeing objects similar to those sighted by Kenneth Arnold on the same day.
• July 10, 1947: Dr. Lincoln La Paz and his family observed a luminous, elliptical object oscillating beneath the clouds near Port Sumner, New Mexico.
• April 24, 1949: Charles Moore, a meteorologist, saw an elongated object crossing the horizon at White Sands Proving Grounds, witnessed by five others.
• August 20, 1949: Clyde Tombaugh, discoverer of Pluto, observed six to eight greenish objects travelling soundlessly across the sky.
• May 22, 1950: Seymour Hess, an astronomer at Flagstaff Observatory, Arizona, saw a metallic-looking disc.

The section also mentions BIRT's collection of over 1500 observations of lights and moving objects deposited at the Royal Astronomical Society, particularly in the crater PLATO on the Moon.

Witness Reports (Page 2)

• Stephen (aged 11): Reported a UFO sighting on June 11, 1972, from Ultimo, Sydney. The object varied in brightness and speed, appearing like an elastic band expanding and contracting through a telescope.
• Lady near Sydney: Reported a sighting on June 19, 1972, of an extremely bright, red, oblong object that later appeared as a bright white light with a faint outline, possibly a nose-cone, which shot away towards Blacktown.

Poem by Mrs. Lyn Malet

Mrs. Lyn Malet, a new member from Alice Springs, Northern Territory, contributes a poem reflecting on UFOs as potential benevolent visitors who have been ignored or persecuted by humanity. The poem expresses a hope for future acceptance and understanding.

Reports by Barry Taylor (Page 3)

Barry Taylor, Vice President of UFORPA, N.S.W., reports on a skywatch at Katoomba where nine members witnessed four yellowish-white lights suspended above the plateau. These lights appeared to be part of a larger, curved or round 'mothership' formation. Single lights were also observed approaching and receding. Photographs were taken, and the lights exhibited colors similar to those in a recognized USA UFO photograph.

Books Excerpt (Page 3)

An excerpt from Eric Norman's book 'Gods, Demons and UFO's' discusses 'BURRUNGU', an alleged 'City of Taboos' in the remote Australian hinterlands, described by Aboriginal legends as a place inhabited by tall white beings thousands of years ago, possibly a prehistoric alien outpost.

John Mager's Perspective (Page 3)

John Mager, editor of the Canadian UFO Report, shares his conviction that UFO visitors have been colonizing Earth for thousands of years and are now exploring other planets, mirroring humanity's own future ambitions.

Sighting Reports (Page 3)

• September 4, 1972: A sighting near Sydney involved a bright star and a diffused oblong light that grew in brightness and outline, appearing like a large, bright half-moon before moving away.
• September 13, 1972 (Taralgan): An object was sighted at 45° from the horizon, appearing semi-transparent and motionless, before being covered by clouds.
• September 24, 1972 (Hong Kong): A flight captain and crew reported a formless blueish-white object travelling at 'outer space speed' at 31,000 feet, with pieces breaking off.
• September 24, 1972 (Hong Kong): A young man reported seeing two red stars that flashed and switched on and off, one moving downwards with an orange tail.

Recent UFO Reports (1972) (Page 4)

This section, compiled by George D. Fawcett, lists several UFO reports from various locations in the USA and England:

• August 10 (Spokane, Washington State): A high-speed UFO tracked by radar near Fairchild Air Force Base.
• August 16 (St. Michael, Alaska): An Eskimo couple reported the landing of a football-shaped UFO with red lights, leaving a depression and burned grass.
• August 22 (Gem, Kansas): A saucer-shaped UFO, approximately 25-35 feet in diameter, was seen near a home.
• August 24 (Heald Green, England): A couple saw a glowing melon-shaped UFO with a tapering base and a 'T'-shaped door.
• August 26 (Waukesha, Wisconsin): A large orange circular UFO was observed, causing car motors, lights, and radios to cease functioning.
• September 8 (Olympia, Washington State): A boy reported a round UFO that emitted a 'buzzing sound' and an 'electric shock'.
• September 12 (Miami and Palm Beach, Florida): Numerous UFOs, described as domed with red exhaust trails and portholes, were tracked by radar and seen by pilots and authorities.
• September 15 (Burlington, Colorado): A farm family reported the landing of a round UFO, 'big as a house', in a field.

UFO Sightings in Gladstone (Page 4)

Reports from Gladstone indicate frequent sightings between 7 pm and 10 pm, often at high altitudes (30,000-50,000 ft.) and high speeds (1500-2000 m.p.h.). A recent intense blue light bathed rooftops. Sightings include a 30 ft. diameter UFO hovering 500 ft. above an observer, which disappeared when an aircraft approached. Mineral deposits in the area are suggested as a possible attraction. A cylindrical object with red and yellow-red glows was also sighted.

Report from Forestville (Page 4)

A new member from Forestville reported seeing an apparently stationary bright star move in a zig-zag manner for seven seconds before dimming and disappearing on the night of December 24th, 1972.

Report from Orange (Page 4)

A sighting on January 20th, 1973, near Orange, involved a light travelling at satellite speed that suddenly changed heading at a very acute angle, accelerating rapidly.

Fees and Helpers Needed (Page 4)

The newsletter reminds members that fees of $5 per year are overdue. It also appeals for helpers for the newsletter, public meetings, and for submitting sighting reports. Assistance is also needed for the committee, including attending meetings.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the reporting and cataloging of UFO sightings, both historical and contemporary, from Australia and around the world. There is a strong emphasis on witness testimony and the investigation of these phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting UFO awareness and encouraging active participation from members, despite internal organizational challenges. The newsletter also highlights the scientific and astronomical aspects of UFO study, with contributions from individuals associated with astronomical organizations.