UFOIC Newsletter - No 43

Magazine Overview

This issue of the U.F.O.I.C. Newsletter, No. 43, dated April-May 1975, is published by the Unidentified Flying Objects Investigation Centre, P.O. Box 6, Lane Cove, N.S.W. 2066, Australia. It is registered at the G.P.O. Sydney for transmission by post as a periodical. The newsletter covers recent UFO activity and investigations within Australia.

Office Bearers and Advisers

The newsletter lists the office bearers of UFOIC: Mr. F.J. Phillips (President), Mr. W.E. Moser (Secretary), and the Committee members: Mr. D. Buching, Mrs P. Buching, Mr. M. Guider, Mr. M. Smyth, B. Build, Mr. P. Relf, Mr. B. McDonald, Mr. W.C. Chalker (B.Sc. Hons), Mr. T.V. Homan, Mr. H. O'Brien, and Mr. J. Blattman. Advisers include Dr. D. Herbison-Evans (F.R.A.S.) and Mr. T.W. Dutton (M.S.Mech.E, M.I.D.E.).

Editorial

The editorial highlights the organization's financial challenges, stating that more members are needed to cover the costs of investigating UFO reports and publishing the newsletter. A minimum of approximately 250 members is required, and the current membership is less than half that amount, with the committee providing loans to keep UFOIC operational. Members are urged to recruit new members.

General Reports

New South Wales (N.S.W.): UFO activity in N.S.W. is reported as quiet, with recent reports primarily describing "meandering nocturnal lights".

Tasmania and South Australia: Correspondence indicates that these states have experienced some low-level sightings.

Western Australia and Queensland: The issue promises details of two reports, one from Western Australia and another from Queensland.

Maitland, N.S.W.: Another report from Maitland suggests a continuous stream of sightings of unusual lights, similar to satellites but capable of changing course and stopping.

Tully, Queensland: It is reported that Tully, Queensland, was visited again by UFOs in January to February 1975, with more circles being found. The newsletter hopes to provide more details and possible landing marks in the next issue.

A Further Sighting Near Maitland, N.S.W.

This section details a sighting by Mr. C.K. on October 17, 1974, at approximately 0120 hours. His dogs barked furiously, prompting him to investigate. He observed a circular, yellowish-white light overhead, estimated at 500 feet altitude with the apparent diameter of the full moon. The light moved north towards a hill, stopped, and emitted two bright beams onto the ground. After becoming stationary again, it rose and was partly obscured by cloud cover. The witness, familiar with aircraft lights, stated the beams were different. The absence of sound ruled out aircraft. Some time later, after heavy rain, Mr. K. noticed two circular marks on his property below where the light was seen, which appeared to be the result of fungal growth. Diagrams and measurements of these "circles" are provided, with the cause attributed to fungus.

Other Recent Reports

Late April 1974 (Western Australia): Captain and three crew members of a Boeing 707 approaching Perth observed a bright light approaching their aircraft from Perth's direction. The object, estimated to be closing at 1200 mph, appeared as a circular white-yellowish light with a blue-red cone-shaped tail, climbing at an estimated height of 2000 ft. It was also observed by ground staff at Perth airport. Precise details were withheld at the witness's request.

August 17, 1974 (Queensland): Captain and two crew members of a vessel entering Port Curtis, Gladstone, observed a light approximately 16 feet above the sea, initially mistaken for a buoy. The light moved south and disappeared. Later, five similar lights were observed scattered over an area between the vessel and Gladstone. Two moved away south, while three approached the ship, positioning themselves around it. These lights remained for 4-5 minutes before departing south. No sound was detected. The objects were described as oval, pale yellow with a green tinge, pulsating, and divided into sections. Images of the object seen by the 707 crew and one of the six objects seen by the ship's crew are included.

Further Information on Grey Powder Cases

This section provides an update on material collected from a possible UFO landing site at Camden, N.S.W., mentioned in the previous newsletter (No. 42). Dr. G. Stevens, a scientific adviser, reports that the material is definitely not a slime-mould and has not been positively identified. The sighting involved a 3-year-old child who saw a lighted 'boat' above her house in late 1972. The next morning, a dark circular patch of grass (6-8 feet in diameter) was found on the lawn. The father, a Registered Psychiatric Nurse, believes the event was real. Analysis of the material found no radiation. Microscopic examination revealed a complex internal structure with a flaky outer shell, crystalline in nature, insoluble in common solvents. It partially dissolves in hydrochloric acid, yielding fine fibres resembling tangled fishing line. The report concludes the unknown fibrous material is not fungal or biological. While a fertiliser material is possible, its form suggests it was superimposed on a reinforcing mat of unknown fibrous material, often called 'angel hair', frequently associated with UFO phenomena, particularly Type IIB events. Further investigation is warranted.

Australian Catalogue of Close Encounter UFO Sightings

Mr. Bill Chalker and Mr. K. Basterfield are compiling a catalogue of Australian close encounters. They have catalogued over 300 reports and are seeking details of any sightings from members.

General (Page 8)

The President and Committee welcome Mr. W.C. Chalker, B.Sc. (Hons), as a new committee member, noting his reputation as a researcher. The next meeting is scheduled for June 20th at the Small Hall, Science House, Gloucester Street, Sydney, commencing at 7:30 p.m.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently focuses on UFO sightings and investigations within Australia, emphasizing the need for detailed reporting and analysis. The editorial stance highlights the practical challenges of funding UFO research and publication, advocating for increased membership to ensure the organization's continuation. There is a clear interest in physical evidence, as seen in the Camden 'grey powder' case and the Maitland ground marks, and a commitment to cataloguing sightings. The organization appears to be a serious research body, evidenced by its scientific advisers and the detailed reporting of cases.