"Hello Folks" and hello "Folks" and in that order too folks. Well, apart from the weather, what a marvellous summer it has been. Not a single club member has been arrested or even run out of town, we've made the pages of that august and hallowed publication "Truth", and last but not least we are still in business. Yes, we've had a lot of fun in various places at various times: altho' yours truly hasn't been lucky enough to be at every event in the last three months he has heard of the highlights, some of which are hereunder listed.
Those of us who were lucky enough to go to Thames at the New Year fell madly in love with that little bit of heaven and would recommend it to absolutely anyone [Pat B,? -Ed.) There were 22 men women and children and 1 dog at various stages and we all had a glorious time. The hardest part was leaving, so much so that the following weekend ten of us went back again. You really should try to go if you possibly can folks, there is just nowhere else to compare with it. Try the water slide some time!
Twice we have walked the Odlins track which is just over a half hour tramp. The water is very cold but it's well worth the effort. Kawakawa Bay and also Awhitu, they tell me, were both very pleasant and we hope to go back to Awhitu or more exactly just past it to Grahams Beach. Pakiri was as lovely as ever and those who went vowed that next time they'd stay there for ever.
The trip to Rakino (many thanks at this stage to Robert the boat owner, and also Robert B, who made it all possible) was very memorable. It was our most successful outing, a total of 53 souls loving every minute of it. Possibly the highlight of our ladies' day was being observed thru' binoculars, perhaps because they get that sort of treatment at home.
About 24 of us went to Kaurimu Sun Club recently and spent a quiet Sunday afternoon there. It is a lovely spot in the bush at Oratia with open grounds and a real cool swimming pool. Our thanks to Host Eric Flint and Bob Baddeley for having us. Long Bay the following weekend attracted nearly 30 of us including Alan and Betty who came all the way from Waipu for the 'privilege' of spending the day with us. The walk over the hill is as tough as ever but the beach makes up for that. There were a dozen or so naked regulars on hand and then later in the day when the tide receded some 'ordinary clothed type humans' walked up the beach from time to time and admired the view.
Now for the good news: our future programme. And thank you all you folks who reminded the compiler of the "Dairy" of his spelling mistake, we just did it to keep you on your toes while in your uniform!! Now seriously- we have a programme which may be of interest to some of you, even if only briefly. The usual standing invitation to friends relatives or what have you is still effective as are the cancellation arrangements, i.e. 1ZB at half hourly intervals from 7 a.m. on the day of the event. We hope that you will be interested in the proposed social evenings during the winter when we can relive the glorious past. And now for a plug for the Annual General Meeting at which we hope for a 103% turnout. Here is your chance to say precisely what you think of your leaders and how you could do it even better and "Bingo", you may find yourself in the hot seat! The Atrium Sauna (Scene of the forthcoming Annual General Meeting) has refreshment facilities so that if we're still in the mood we could stay on a little longer. Throughout the winter season there will be Saturday evening swim-ins at Swimarama, Panmure, in uniform of course.
What do you think of our little emblem, Fred Bear? We think he's cute, and plan to make tee shirts and car stickers showing him. Would you like these? Perhaps with FBG on- after all, it does stand for Fred Bear's Guests (or whatever.)
Several of our publications have to be reprinted and brought up to date. There is the list of free beaches (well, semi-free). Do you have any others which we could add? Should any in the old list be deleted? The 'Directory' will have to be reprinted, and it would be interesting to know what use members have made of this. Are the entries in the right form? Should extra information be added? Quite a lot of initial enquiries in response to our adverts come to nothing, and we wonder if perhaps our letter explaining the Group is of the right kind. Or does the form put people off? Or maybe some of those folk ought to be discouraged? We really don't know, and we would like to have your opinions on all these matters.
Suggestions for more activities, places to visit etc. are also very welcome, as are topics for the agenda of the AGM.
This is YOUR Group and we aim to make it "FBG the way you want it" (to imitate a certain Prime Minister), so keep in touch!! We do seem to have the same faithful members turning up at most activities: are those we never see too shy, or what?
Brevity is the soul of wit so I must away, but here is a little quote (courtesy of Evan and Lois) that you can use on Miss Bartlett when next you get involved with her: "To think of sex every time you see a naked body is similar to thinking of food every time you see a mouth".
How about that then?
'Bye for now
P.S. Don't blame all of this on me folks as your friend and mine had quite a hand in this too. (Thank you Robin!)
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To use this space profitably, here is the Truth article. Sorry we can't reproduce the picture! [March 2 1976, page 16]
SKINNY DIPPERS HOPE FOR EARLY DECISION
FREE BEACHES, where nude bathing will be allowed under local body by-laws, will come as a matter of course, This is the opinion of a group of Auckland nudists. Formed last year, the Free Beach Group will apply a little pressure to help things along, "We'll be setting up a legal sub-committee," secretary John Miller said. "But it'll come as a matter of course." Up to 50 members get together regularly for trips to beaches around the city. Total membership is about 200. To avoid offending others, they travel 50 miles or more, to Pakiri, near Leigh, and to "a little bit of heaven" at Thames, where they camp beside a bush pool. Nudism doesn't offend many people these days. Those who came upon a FBG party on Rakino Island, in the Hauraki Gulf, recently, appeared quite unconcerned. And there was no apparent reaction from yachties who passed close to the beach during a race. A Truth reporter who made this trip [one of our members- FBG Ed,) found himself among couples and families seeking simple pleasures. For them, freedom from clothing added something to a brief period of relaxation from the frantic pace of the city. "We've had inquiries from all over New Zealand," Mr. Miller said. "Particularly around Christchurch- quite a keen crowd down there." But the Free Beachers don't plan to become a nation-wide pressure group. "We're just doing our thing," Mr. Miller said. "We don't want a property and a lot of organised activity. Just the freedom to relax in our own way- something a lot of people in this country also want."
[To save you wondering- no-one in the photo was recognisable.]
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FREE BEACH GROUP |
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F R E D B E A R I V I T E S Y O U T O:
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| SUNDAY 21 MARCH |
Probably Pie Melon Bay, Waiheke. Departing from Pier 'H' at Half Moon Bay Marina, Pakuranga, at 9.30 a.m. Fares $2.00 adults, $1.00 children. [Parents, please keep your little darlings under control while aboard ship.] Snorkelling gear is worth taking. |
| SATURDAY 27 SUNDAY 28 MARCH |
"Thames Hideaway Trip". Here it is again folks! By popular request and at no great expense either, and well worth going to. Git yerself to Thames — go North thru' the town and opposite the maternity hospital turn right, past Dickson's Motor camp. Follow your proboscis up the metalled road and it's on the right, after about 4 km. (2½ miles). You'll need tents, cooking and sleeping gear and not much else except perhaps a slasher and a saw. Toilet facilities will be provided. You may wish to rush down after work on Friday. Do come if you can — you will love it! |
| SUNDAY 4 APRIL |
Following the success of the Awhitu trip we are going a bit further round the bend to Grahams Beach. Trailer borne boats (fizz, sailing or rowing) are catered for. Rendezvous Waiuku swim-pool complex 10.00 a.m. or Grahams Beach 10.30. |
| SUNDAY 11 APRIL |
Dear old Pakiri beckons again. Meet 11.00 a.m. at carp-ark at South of beach. (Latecomers — if you walk NORTH up the beach after crossing the river you can't miss us.) |
| FRIDAY 16 to MONDAY 19 APRIL |
EASTER — it has been suggested that the folks in Waikato would appreciate a gathering that would suit us and them so how about Papamoa Beach, south of Tauranga, where there is a strong local contingent and also a motor camp at which to reside... For full details give your name to John and he will contact you when they are finalised. |
| SUNDAY 25 APRIL |
A quiet Sauna at the Atrium, 190—194 Federal Street (South End, near St Matthews Church) from about 2.00 p.m. onwards. The Sauna is also open to the public, but there is a nice family atmosphere. It is only open on Sunday afternoons. If our Sunday trips are cancelled we often end up there. |
| SUNDAY 9 MAY |
West of Kawakawa Bay — drive thru' Clevedon. Park immediately you reach the shore (after coming down a hill). 12 noon. |
| SATURDAY 15 MAY |
Trip to Helensville — we hope. Further details later. |
| SATURDAY 8 or 15 MAY |
- and then throughout the winter season, every second or third Saturday in the month, at 6.30 p.m. Details are not yet final: the combined Auckland clubs have their nude swim nights at Swimarama, Panmure. |
| MONDAY 7 JUNE |
QUEENS BIRTHDAY. Club members to parade in full dress uniform down Queen Street. And the best of luck to you! |
| Balance of June and July left to your discretion. | |
| SATURDAY 14 AUGUST |
THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. KEEP THIS DATE CLEAR! You will receive further details, agenda etc. later — suggestions later. Probably at the Atrium Sauna, upper rooms, 2.00 P.M. |
| SATURDAY 28 AUGUST |
SOCIAL at Normal Intermediate School, Epsom. Details later. |
Every Sunday night from 25th. April onwards AOHC will be at Terri Lees Sauna, Gt. North Road Glendene (on the roundabout) from 6 to 9 p.m. Adults $1.50, children 75c. Colour TV, free soft drinks.
You are welcome to join them.
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FREE BEACH GROUP |
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P.O. Box 41-171 St.Lukes Auckland 3 |
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PROGRAMME OF FUTURE EVENTS |
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| Saturday 12th. June | Swimarama. Swim-in at Mt. Wellington from 6.30 P.M. Entry 50c adult, 20c child. |
| Friday 30th. July | Riccado's at Parakai (via Helensville) from 7.00 p.m. Entry $1.00 adult, 50c child. This is organised by the North Shore Sun Club. There is a range of hot pools and you can get a very pleasant economical meal at the adjacent restaurant. |
| Saturday 14th, Aug | "AY GEE EMM" at Kowhai Intermediate School Hall, Sandringham Road Mt. Eden from 2.00 p.m. onwards. Keep this date clear and do attend if you possibly can, for the good of Fred Bear & Co. |
| Saturday 2lst, Aug | Swimarama again. |
| Friday 27th. August | Riccado's once more. |
| Saturday 28th, Aug | Midwinter Social at Normal Intermediate School at rear of Teachers' Training College, Owens Road, Mt. Eden from 7.30 p.m. Admission $1.00 adults, good children free. Bring along some or all of the foI1owing - supper, music, films, photographs, in fact anything to keep yourselves amused. |
| Saturday 18th, Sept | Still more Swimarama |
| Friday 24th, Sept | Again Riccado's |
| Saturday 16th, Oct | Yes '--- Swimarama!' |
| Saturday 23 Sunday 24 October Monday 25 |
LABOUR WEEKEND. We hope to organise a CAMP: details later. |
| Friday 29th October | Repeat Riccado's |
Every Sunday Night at Terri Lee's Sauna at Gt. North Road Glendene AOHC meet from 6.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. Adults $1.50, children 75c. Colour TV, free fruit drinks and free massage. ALL WELCOME.