UFOIC Newsletter - No 46 Feb-Mar 1976

Magazine Overview

This issue of the U.F.O.I.C. newsletter, identified as No. 46 and dated February-March 1976, is published by the Unidentified Flying Objects Investigation Centre in Australia. The cover headline reiterates the organization's name, and the issue details office bearers and contact information.

Editorial

The editorial opens with apologies for the late issuance of the newsletter, attributing it to staff holidays and other factors. It then addresses the significant financial challenges faced by UFOIC, a non-profit organization reliant on membership fees and literature sales. Increased running costs for printing, stationery, postage, and rent have led to a grim financial situation, with committee members subsidizing the organization. To address this, UFOIC has decided to reduce the number of public/members meetings from an unspecified frequency to just three large meetings per year. These meetings will be held in the Large Hall, Science House, Sydney, on May 21st, July 23rd, and November 26th, 1976, at 7:00 p.m. Tea and coffee will be provided, and the organization hopes to cover hall hire costs through door charges from non-members, requiring an attendance of 50 non-members to break even. Members are also invited to host informal meetings in their homes. The editorial expresses regret but deems this necessary to avoid closing the organization to public subscription.

Three Photographic Cases from 1975

This section presents three cases investigated by UFOIC in 1975, emphasizing that while photographic evidence is rarely absolute proof, it can serve as collaborative data for anecdotal sightings.

(a) Howrah, near Tranmere Point, Tasmania (May 12th, 1975, ca. 4:00 p.m.): Mrs C observed a grey-brown to black object moving from the northeast across a rainbow. The object, initially having a projection, passed through the rainbow and then moved vertically, appearing as a disc with 'ribs'. Her husband, Mr. C, arrived, and they observed the object moving up and down the rainbow, parting a 'smoke haze' with what appeared to be 'propulsion exhaust' before returning to the ground. The object then moved up and to the right, and a filmed sequence showed a 'vague shadow' moving left, then right, accelerating and disappearing into the haze. The film quality was poor, but it corroborated the observed motion.

(b) Kempsey, N.S.W. (July 21st, 1975, 8:00 p.m.): Mr. and Mrs W observed a large, bright white light directly overhead. They followed the object, which travelled across town and then stopped and hovered over distant mountain ranges. Mr. W used a Praktica L.T.L. camera with GAF 500 colour slide film to capture three photographs of the light, which changed colors from yellow to red. The object moved down to the left, then right, and in an upward arc before dropping straight down. Cows were heard bellowing, and dogs barked during the 15-minute observation.

(c) Condobolin, N.S.W. (Late July 1975, ca. 5:30 p.m.): A roofing crew of eight men observed a ring of 'thick black smoke' at an angle to the horizon. A black cylindrical object was seen moving around the ring in an anti-clockwise direction. An attempt to photograph the phenomenon was made with a Mamiya Sekor camera, yielding three photos. A study of the prints suggested the 'ring' was moving slowly to the right with a slight change in inclination. After about 20 minutes, the black cylindrical object shot upwards at high speed and disappeared, and the smoke ring dissipated.

General

The Centre is seeking continued support to remain viable and urges members to encourage new UFOIC memberships. There is also a need for individuals to assist with clerical and correspondence matters, and to act as regular contacts for UFO sightings in their local areas to expedite investigations. The audience participation project, detailed in the previous newsletter, has attracted international interest, with SOBEPS in Belgium planning to conduct the same experiment.

A Book Review

"UFOs Over the Southern Hemisphere" by Michael Hervey: This review critically examines the 1975 hardcover book, published by Robert Hale, which claims to be the result of 27 years of research by a leading authority. The reviewer states the book is an uncredited and expanded version of a 1969 Horwitz paperback, popular for compiling Australian and New Zealand reports. However, serious researchers have found it to be a superficial compilation lacking in-depth research and original scholarship. The reviewer doubts Hervey's personal investigation of UFO sightings and notes the book relies heavily on newspaper reports and publications from UFO research groups. While 'first hand' sections exist, Hervey fails to conduct original research. The book is criticized for numerous errors, including misidentifying a sighting near Millicient, S.A. as an unknown object when it was likely a meteorological balloon, and incorrectly alluding to 'UFO sightings' over Taree as being conclusively ascribed to observations of the planet Venus. The 'Sundry Sightings' sections are new but largely repetitive. The review concludes that the book is an entertaining compilation but falls short of providing an accurate, well-researched look at the UFO problem.

Further Investigations

Adamstown, Newcastle N.S.W. (January 6th, 1976): A large number of people reported observing a cigar-shaped aerial light near a military reserve. Investigation revealed that at least two young boys claimed to have seen a white 'flare' descend. Subsequently, five boys camping in the reserve reported seeing a large cigar-shaped light pass overhead and hover nearby before flying east. The next day, traces of 'white powder' and four indentations were found in the scrub, which the boys linked to the UFO. Subsequent investigation and analysis by Dr. G. Stevens indicated that the substance was flour, confirmed by various scientific tests.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the challenges of UFO research and organization. The editorial highlights the financial struggles of UFOIC, a non-profit entity, and its strategic decision to reduce public meetings to ensure its continued operation. The presentation of photographic cases underscores the ongoing effort to gather and corroborate evidence, even if it's not definitive proof. The book review critically examines the methodology and accuracy of UFO literature, emphasizing the importance of rigorous research. The 'Further Investigations' section demonstrates the practical application of UFOIC's investigative work, including scientific analysis of physical evidence. The overall stance is one of persistent, albeit challenged, investigation and a commitment to public engagement, tempered by the realities of resource limitations.