UFOIC Newsletter - No 45 Sept-Oct 1975

Magazine Overview

Title: U.F.O.I.C. Newsletter
Issue: No. 45
Date: September-October 1975
Publisher: Unidentified Flying Objects Investigation Centre (UFOIC), P.O. Box 6, Lane Cove, N.S.W. 2066 Australia.
Country: Australia
Language: English

This issue of the U.F.O.I.C. Newsletter, dated September-October 1975, covers significant activities and reports from the Centre. It highlights a successful UFO conference and details a compelling close encounter case at Bent's Basin. The publication also introduces new scientific advisers and promotes the UFOIC Investigation Kit.

Editorial: UFO Conference Success

The editorial section reports on a 3-day conference held at Terrigal, NSW, on the weekend of October 4-6. This conference, jointly organised by ACOS (Centre for UFO Studies) and UFO Research of South Australia, was the first of its kind in Australia, aiming to unite all Australian UFO research efforts. A national program for data collection and research was outlined, with ACOS designated as the clearing house. The collected data is intended to be disseminated to the U.S. Centre for UFO Studies for international research.

The theme of the conference was "UFOs - A Scientific Study," and it is described as an unqualified success. Several important papers were presented by Scientific Consultants and researchers, including:

• "Analysis of Physical Trace Case Histories" by Dr. G. Stevens
• "10 Years of Investigation in Tasmania" by Mr. P. Jackson (TUFOIC)
• "UFO Flaps - A Context for Scientific Study" by Mr. B. Chalker
• "UFO Detection Methods" by Dr. D. Herbison-Evans
• "UFOs and the Philosophy of Science" by Dr. Ralph Molnar
• "UFO Investigation Procedure" by Mr. M. Smyth and Mr. D. Buching (UFOIC)

The texts of the papers and proceedings are expected to be available to the public within a few weeks. A further conference is tentatively planned for late October 1976 at Mt. Gambier, South Australia, to coincide with a total solar eclipse.

General Announcements

The Committee of UFOIC is pleased to welcome two new advisers: Dr. Ralph Molnar (PhD), from the University of New South Wales (School of Physical Anatomy), and Mrs Frances Smyth (B.A. Psych). Dr. Molnar is particularly interested in examining reports of alleged occupants and their associated physiology. Mrs Smyth, with a degree in Behavioural Science and a major in Psychology, is interested in the effect of personality, attitudes, and expectations on the reliability of witnesses.

The Centre is actively seeking more scientific advisers, especially in the field of psychology, and is looking for a qualified clinical hypnotist. Interested individuals are encouraged to contact the Research Director.

UFO Investigation Kit

The newsletter highlights the UFO Investigation Kit, modified by Dr. Don Herbison-Evans and available from UFOIC. The kit is described as rare evidence because witnesses are often unprepared. It consists of three slide mounts: one with a diffraction grating and two with Polaroid filters. These devices are designed to help identify known phenomena (like reflections, mirages, planes, car headlights) and gather information about unknown objects, such as their temperature, possible composition, and whether they are man-made.

The kit is pocket-sized and has an estimated life of 10 years. For best results, photographs of unusual lights should be taken through the devices for detailed analysis. The recommended film type is high-speed black and white. The kit is available for $1.50 or can be purchased at meetings.

Meetings

The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, November 14th, 1975, at 7:30 p.m. at Science House, 157 Gloucester Street, Sydney. The lecture topic will be "UFOs - Where Do They Come From?"

The last meeting for 1975 will be held on December 12th in the small hall. The committee is also planning for 1976 meeting dates and welcomes member input.

Perception - Audience Participation Experiment

An experiment was conducted during the August 29th meeting to assess the audience's ability to remember and reconstruct the appearance of a "flying saucer." A large drawing of a hypothetical UFO was shown for 3 minutes, after which participants were asked to draw it from memory and answer 13 questions about the object, along with personal details. The accuracy of the sketches varied significantly, with many bearing little resemblance to the original. Of the 13 questions, 6 related to colours, and one was a trick question about a non-existent feature. The highest number of correct answers was 10, with others scoring 9, and the majority scoring less than 7.

Due to the small sample size (32 participants), definitive trends could not be established, though older participants tended to notice fewer features, and detail observation decreased with distance from the object. The experiment suggested that single witness reports are likely to be highly inaccurate, making identification difficult. UFOIC intends to conduct a similar experiment with more controlled conditions and participants to confirm these findings and potentially reveal trends in witness perception.

Close Encounter at Bent's Basin

This section details a significant sighting that occurred on June 4th, 1972, at Bent's Basin, south of Wallacia and west of Sydney. The Centre was contacted in July 1975 by a Mr. S, who initially reported a sighting of nocturnal lights over Lidcombe but revealed he had been a witness to this unusual close encounter.

The area is described as a popular picnic and camping spot adjacent to a small lake, with mangroves and a small hill. The exact location is difficult to determine due to flooding from the Nepean River. The witnesses comprised a party of 6 people (4 young men, 2 young women). Mr. S, a key participant, is noted as not having prior extensive knowledge of UFOs, suggesting his account is less likely to be influenced by pre-existing beliefs.

The Sighting:

The party drove to Bent's Basin, known for its "unusual" reputation. They parked their car facing downhill, about 100 yards from the water and 200 yards from a small hill. After about 45 minutes, they decided to move closer to the lake. When the driver, Wayne B, attempted to start the car, it failed. As Terry B got out to check the engine, he was startled by the driver's quick attempt to restart, and then noticed an object on top of the hill opposite.

Object Description:

Moving back to the car, the others were called to observe. The object was described as discoid, resembling two saucers stuck together but flatter in the middle, like "a small football." It was estimated to be about 20 feet wide and 4-5 feet high. The top and bottom halves alternately pulsed with pink (Pantone 231) and blood red (Pantone 213) colours, creating an impression of a colour division about the middle. The lights did not illuminate the surrounding area.

The object appeared to be resting on at least three (possibly four) legs, with the middle one inclined outwards and bisected by a line, suggesting triangular legs. It was positioned just to the left of the hilltop, with the ground beneath it in shadow.

Witness Reactions and Effects:

A strong pulsating hum, synchronized with the pulsating colours, was observed. Mr. S reported a severe pulsating headache in his upper forehead, which he later learned was experienced by all other witnesses except the girl who hid under the dashboard. The group was terrified; one girl fainted, and one man nearly did.

Escape and Apparition:

In a panic, the group managed to get the car started and drove downhill. The car then experienced a thumping on the roof, followed by the engine catching fire. They abandoned the moving car, which ran into some trees. Two men went to get a lift. Shortly after, they returned to alert the party to a huge "shadow" approaching, described as the "figure of a man." This figure was about 200 yards away, appeared to be 8-10 feet tall, glossy black, with a "round helmeted head, broad shoulders and arms that came to pointed hands." The body tapered in at the thigh, and the legs were not visible, possibly due to obscuring scrub. The figure moved slowly, suggesting movement on rollers, and was compared to the robot "Gort" from "The Day the Earth Stood Still." The figure disappeared as it approached, with one witness describing it like a light being switched off, and another like a screen rolling upwards. The apparition lasted about 30 seconds.

Aftermath and Investigation:

The terrified group hid in the grass for about half an hour before making a hasty retreat. The car was left behind, though a preliminary investigation in August 1975 did not verify the statement that it was un-salvageable. The area is prone to flooding, making the car difficult to locate. The fire in the car is attributed to a fault, not the UFO. Of the 6 people present, 5 observed the UFO and suffered headaches; only 3 saw the "apparition."

Further documentation from other witnesses and field trips are required for a conclusive analysis. The case is noted as one of the more incredible reports of late, with resemblances to overseas cases.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the professionalization of UFO research in Australia through conferences and data collection, the importance of rigorous investigation techniques (as exemplified by the UFO Investigation Kit), and the detailed reporting of specific, unusual sighting cases like the Bent's Basin encounter. The editorial stance is one of scientific inquiry, aiming to study UFO phenomena objectively and gather reliable data, while also acknowledging the psychological aspects of witness perception. The Centre actively seeks qualified individuals to contribute to its advisory board, emphasizing a commitment to scientific rigor and the pursuit of knowledge in the field of UFO studies.