Reading through the NSW sightings section I came across the 1968 sighting by George Gray. I remember that being spoken about in the 70's and I think I remember reading the story, either in the Macleay Argus or some other local publication at the time. The report timing accords with my memory as I was 16 in 1976 and was interested in yowies and other such topics, reading everything that I could get my hands on.
Interestingly enough, that report also includes mention of Robert Winkler and Chris Hudson and their encounter with a dark shape in the river one night.
I actually went through school (kinder to year 12) with Robert Winkler;s eldest son (whom I shall refer to by his nickname "Winkie"). The Winklers lived (variously) between 300 and 500 metres from our house until they finally moved to the other side of town when I was in Year 11/12.
Winkie's dad, Robert, was a very credible man and I think he was a Civil Engineer or similar and his Mum was lovely lady who worked at the High school that we attended.
I do remember Winkie telling us the story of his Dad's encounter and whilst we were all very interested the story quickly died within our school group and we never really pressed with questions. We got the feeling that it was a topic that once mentioned was not up for much further discussion.
I any case, I always thought of Robert Winkler as an extremely sensible and practical man who would not be prone to making up stories. I can however offer one bit of extra information and that is that the word 'yowie' was never mentioned in relation to the telling of this story. The way I heard it it was always a dark shape in the water.
The story struck a real chord with me though because a year or two later I was camping with a school group up the river (not as far as Toorooka) but well up in the farming country and late one night we decided to take a canadian canoe for a paddle. We stupidly went downstream and when we tried to paddle back against the current we pulled alongside a rock which appeared to be swimming alongside us. Pitch black, teenagers in a canoe, paddling and getting nowhere with a dark shape in the water keeping pace with them. I know it was just a rock but based on the Winkler story I was scared $&1#less.
I have not had any yowie encounters (except one corner of the eye event which I'll post shortly), but I I do have strong memories of 'yowie fear' from my teenage days.