UFOIC Newsletter - No 42

Magazine Overview

Title: U.F.O.I.C. Newsletter
Issue: No. 42
Date: February 1975
Publisher: U.F.O.I.C.
Country: Australia
Language: English

This issue of the U.F.O.I.C. Newsletter provides updates on the organization's activities, reports on UFO sightings, and details investigations into alleged UFO-related phenomena.

General Information and Meetings

The newsletter announces that all UFOIC members and public meetings for 1975 will be held at Science House, Gloucester Street, Sydney. The dates for meetings in the Small Hall and Large Hall are provided. The committee expresses satisfaction with the new venue, noting that while more expensive than the previous Railway Institute Hall, it is more suitable and less noisy. Members are encouraged to attend and bring friends, with a 30-cent admission charge for non-members to cover hall hire costs.

Editorial

The editorial highlights an apparent increase in low-level UFO encounters that are not being reported. Members are urged to contact the organization if they know of any friends or relatives who have experienced such incidents, particularly those involving physical traces like burns or flattened areas. All details will be kept confidential at the witness's request, with the aim of identifying the locations of these incidents and establishing their nature.

Key Incidents and Investigations

A Silver Cigar and Low Level Object Seen Near Maitland, N.S.W.

This article details a sighting by a farmer, Mr. C.K., on June 16, 1974, near Maitland, N.S.W. At approximately 0520 hours, two stationary lights were observed for about 10 minutes before flying off in opposite directions. The following morning, around 0525 hours, Mr. K. heard a noise and saw a stationary object described as a "big silvery spaceship" overhead. He estimated its altitude to be 1000-1500 feet and its length to be 50-60 feet, with its apparent size being twice that of the full moon. The object, shaped like an aircraft fuselage, had a yellow "vapour trail" and disappeared after about 3 minutes. Shortly after, Mr. K. observed a dull yellow light flying low over a hill, which resolved into an object with two lights (one dull red, one dull yellow) and a black silhouette. This object flew slowly and silently from East to West, close to the ground, and was lost to view after approximately 4 minutes. The witness's six dogs and cows showed no reaction to either object. The report concludes that the second object could not be explained by conventional means such as aircraft or meteors, suggesting it was of unknown origin. A few unconfirmed reports of multi-coloured lights in the area were also mentioned.

A Landing Near Deniliquin, N.S.W.

This report recounts an incident on August 7, 1969, involving Mrs P. and her 16-year-old daughter, H., near Deniliquin, N.S.W. They observed a light approaching their house, which they initially mistook for a car. As it got closer, they discerned it was a single light and then saw it rise about 20 feet, travel sideways, and descend again. Mrs P. described its motion as "looking for something." The object then flew towards the house, stopped about 250 yards away, and was seen to have multiple lights around the rim of a disc-like object, described as "like a little airship." The lights were bright yellow, with some possibly red. The object's size was estimated at 5 or 6 feet in diameter. It then moved to a neighbour's property and landed, its lights dimming to a dull red glow. When Mrs P. and H. approached, the object's lights brightened, and it rose from the ground. While attempting to get a closer look, they noticed another light off to their right, which appeared like a car headlight before bursting into a circular, flattened shape. A third light then rose from their left, flying high like a plane, before veering sharply West and appearing to circle the horizon. This third object was thought to be cigar-shaped, with "two or three thin, long, very strong searchlight beams" coming from the top. No sound was heard from any of the UFOs, and no features were observed. Mrs P. believed the main object was too small to carry human operators. When questioned, the neighbours showed fear and disbelief, and no evidence of the object's presence was found. The report notes that this sighting was not isolated and that the investigation, though delayed, concluded the report was unlikely to be a misrepresentation or meteorological phenomenon, with the witnesses appearing genuinely puzzled.

Report on Investigation Carried Out on Unusual Ground Effects Near Forbes NSW

This section details an investigation into a circular mark found in a field of saffron thistles near Forbes, N.S.W., following a 'Sun Herald' article on December 14, 1974. Mr. Huckle, the owner, discovered an area where the thistles were flattened in a circular pattern, approximately 5.8m in diameter. The center of the ring was bare earth, with damaged thistles towards the perimeter, some pulped or shredded, others broken. The demarcation line was clear, except on the eastern side where vegetation had died due to a dried-up water hole. UFOIC conducted several measures: photographing the area with different film types, checking for magnetic variation (negative result), measuring the ring and creating a contour map, and taking soil and thistle samples for testing. Mr. Huckle estimated the ring's age at 4-6 weeks and noted a slight bitterish taste on his fingers after touching the thistles in the ring area. The preliminary conclusion is that the ring is "definitely not the result of any known natural phenomena."

Field Night and Upcoming Meetings

Unfortunately, the March field night was cancelled due to country investigations, but the next one is scheduled for Saturday, April 12th, at Mt. Tomah in the Blue Mountains, an area of sustained UFO activity. Details will be available at the March meeting, and members without transport are advised to contact David Buching. The March public meeting on the 21st will focus on "UFOS - The Physical Evidence" and aims to offer "conclusive proof that UFOs do exist."

Other Mentions

Uri Geller is noted to be appearing at the Sydney Town Hall on Friday, March 7th.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes the investigation of UFO phenomena, encouraging members to report sightings and providing detailed accounts of alleged encounters and physical evidence. The editorial stance is one of serious inquiry, seeking to document and analyze UFO events, and to distinguish them from natural phenomena or hoaxes. There is a clear emphasis on gathering evidence, conducting investigations, and presenting findings to members and the public. The organization appears to be actively engaged in field research and public education on the UFO topic.

This document is a scanned page from the "UFO Research Newsletter", Volume 2, Issue 10, dated September 1974. The primary focus of the content is on investigations into alleged UFO landing sites and the identification of materials left behind.

Grey Powder Cases

The newsletter reports on several investigations into alleged landings where a ring and a grey charcoal-like powder were found on the ground. Specific instances mentioned include occurrences at Camden in 1973 and Wentworth Falls. A recent investigation in the Sydney suburb of Auburn also revealed a similar ring with grey powder and an oily slime-like substance, reminiscent of the substance described in the Wentworth Falls case. Samples were taken for analysis.

The powder has been positively identified by the Department of Agriculture Mycology Branch as a myxomycetes or Slime Mould. Samples have also been sent to an independent analyst for further comments. The basic characteristics of this fungus are described: it varies in color from slaty grey to brown, pink, yellow, or green. It is not parasitic and forms from scattered spores, initially appearing as tiny masses of clear to cream-colored jelly-like material. This material, the plasmodium or vegetative body of the slime mould, gradually increases in size, eventually forming a slimy mass that can be several inches in diameter. The newsletter concludes that these three cases are now identified as natural phenomena.

Specialist Assistance Required

The newsletter indicates that during UFO investigations, there is an increasing need for specialist assistance in the fields of psychology and psychiatry. Members who know of qualified individuals willing to help on a voluntary basis are asked to contact the Research Director, David Buching.

Cover Diagram and Contour Map

The first page displays a detailed diagram of a circular area, likely an alleged landing site. It includes a superimposed reference grid, dimensions (D1 = 5800mm, D2 = 5900mm), and indicates where a core sample was taken. The diagram also notes a poorly defined area of the circle extending into a "gilgai" or hollow. A compass rose shows North at a 65-degree angle. Below this is an approximate contour map of the circle area, showing various elevation levels (e.g., 0.40, 0.39, 0.37, 0.35) and indicating the method of determining levels for contours using a level string line.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme in this issue is the scientific investigation of UFO-related phenomena, specifically focusing on identifying materials found at alleged landing sites. The editorial stance appears to be one of seeking rational, natural explanations for reported events, as evidenced by the identification of the grey powder as slime mould. There is also an acknowledgment of the psychological aspects of UFO experiences, leading to a call for expert assistance in psychology and psychiatry. The newsletter aims to inform its readers about ongoing investigations and findings within the UFO research community in Australia.