April 1977 

Dear Members and Friends,

 

I hope none of you blinked and missed the summer!

Still, the area of healthy tan plus all that fresh air divided by the considerable distances walked probably equals the squaw on the hippotamus or sane such nonsense. We have some truly delightful days to remember, and it may still be possible to visit sane of our lovely beaches for a while yet, bearing in mind the direction of the wind and/or the tide times.

Sauna time is here. A favourite for many of the Group is the Atrium in Federal Street in the City — right behind the yellow stone church with the far—out Vicar. It is open to the public only from 4 p.m. onward on Sundays. Tea and coffee and a variety of hot and cold snacks are available in the comfortable lounge. The cost is $2.00 per adult and $1.00 for children, 10 to 16.

A popular spot for Auckland Outdoor Health members is the Western Spa in Henderson, and they have indicated they would like to see members of our Group there on any Sunday from now until Labour Weekend, from 6.30 p.m. on. Cost of admission is $1.50 for adults and 75c for children. Hot and cold showers, sauna room, exercise machines, light massage; hot and cold drinks, and T.V. lounge.

The North Shore Sun Club would like us to join them at the Bozena Health Clinic in Northcroft Street, Takapuna; hot and cold showers, sauna, plunge pool, exercise apparatus, massage, hot and cold drinks (bring something light to eat if you wish), and there is also T.V. These evenings are held on the 3rd Saturday of each month and the cost is $2.50 per head - regardless of the quantity or quality or colour of hair or skin thereon.

Also on the 3rd Saturday of each month Auckland Outdoor Health have their Swimerama at the Panmure Olympic Pool, from 6.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. The dressing rooms have heaters; cost of admission is 5Oc adults, 25c twelves to twenty—ones, and under-twelves are free. There is a Fried Chicken Establishment right across the road.

Cheers all round for the A.R.A. for their decision to give support to the establishment of free beaches - a move in the right direction say all of us. A few days before this announcement was made one of our members remarked that such a move may not necessarily further our cause as much as we would like - that the general public would be inclined to say "Well, you've got your free beach — stay there and leave the other beaches to conventional bathers." Sooner or later someone's going to say it; let's be sure each one of us has a block-buster of a reply ready.

Fred Bear is making himself obvious in all kinds of places. He is multiplying very nicely within and without our ranks and I have it on good authority that he has been seen in the Haymarket, in London. Sun medallions are being worn by sun-lovers right throughout New Zealand as an indication to others that the sun shines on us a little more warmly.

 

At the Special General Meeting called in March to discuss "Affiliation with N.Z.S.A." and "Becoming an Incorporated Society" members were unanimous in their decision to "Become". There was, however, some division of opinion on affiliation or association of some kind with the New Zealand Sunbathing Association. There will be an "open" committee meeting shortly, to discuss more widely the implications of such a move. Please toss it about a bit among yourselves before then.

The Committee would be glad to hear any suggestions for winter activities and hope that we're not all going to individually shiver the winter through, alone. We sincerely hope that each of you has made at least one friend this summer, and that that friendship will continue with you into next summer.

Please don't forget to notify any change of address or telephone number. And conversely, if anyone knows the present whereabouts of Darryl Spinetto would they please ask him to get in touch with me, as I have mislaid his address and feel very bad about it.

The thanks of a good many of the Group are due to Bryan Day for many pleasant times spent camping on his property over the summer. I don't think Bryan realises what real pleasure we derive from the quiet, away-ness of that place which offers us just pure nature. Bryan is now manuring around the river where we camp, so perhaps it could be just day trips from now on.

Thank you all for your participation in Group outings, and to those people who have not been able to get out, but support us anyway - Thanks to you, too. Very best wishes to you all,

Yours sincerely,

 

I did not mention the North Shore Sun Club evenings at Riccardo's - actually they have become a way of life for me, and of course I forget that some newer members would appreciate being informed that the evenings are held at Riccardo's pool complex (8 pools) at Parakai on the last Friday of every month. Admission is $1.00, 70c for children. Takeaway food is available, and there is a good restaurant attached. I do hope I shall see as many members as possible there during the coming months; 7 p.m. on.

 

S K I N N Y - D I P P E R S'   D I A R Y

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WINTER 1977

 

 

28th May	2.30 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. an "Open Committee Meeting" will be he1d at the home of Robin and Jenny Hoare to discuss and enlarge comment upon the question of affiliation or some other kind of association with the New Zealand Sunbathing Association. All those who in any way care about the principle of Free Beaches should be there to make known to our delegate our feelings on what we, and they, expect to gain from such proposed liaison. (Especially in the light of the inability of the A.R.A. to back up the decision of its Parks and Reserves Committee, and the fact that certain Societies are overprotective about our morals.) To get to Robin's place: Going south through Howick on Picton St. take the left fork at Minerva Terrace and turn left into Paparoa Rd; turn right at the end, passing Steward Motors on the left; (Sandspit Road); continue for 1½ kilometres to Robbie's Road on the left; Addis Place is a right turn out of Robbie's - Robin's place is No. 16. This would be a good opportunity for many new members to meet the rest of the Group - well, most of them, anyway - and you won't miss 10c for a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit (two biscuits if you really make a nuisance of yourself.)
11th June	We would like to hold an evening at which people can exhibit the photographs, slides and movie films taken during the summer. Perhaps some of the children (or the adults) have collected shells or seaweed and would like to share their pleasure with the rest of the group. Anyone needing Pinex or some similar soft board on which to attach their photographs and captions may contact me at 450-037 evenings and I shall coerce some of my associates into "co—operating". (I had my early training with the Plunket Society so I am a force to be reckoned with!) The exhibition will be held at Mt Eden War Memorial Hall Council Chambers, starting at 7.30 p.m. but you could start bringing your gear in at about 6.45 p.m. A small charge of 50c will be made to cover the cost of room hire - Johnny Miller will be held as a hostage until sufficient cash has been collected.**
July	Is going to be a very private month - private wines and cheeses, private housie evenings, private anything you can manage in such a cold month. You will, of course, be visiting the saunas mentioned, and we sill all meet at the Hot Pools on the last Friday and possibly the Swimerama on the 3rd Saturday?
6th August	Once again our Annual General Meeting will be held in the Kowhai Intermediate School Hall, commencing at 2.00 p.m. promptly. We would be glad to receive, in writing, any suggestions for topics you would like placed on the Agenda for discussion. Ladies, a small plate, please, and perhaps the gentlemen would not mind paying 5c for their cup of tea or coffee.
3rd Sept	The Combined Sun Clubs' Ball will be held at the Sheraton Lounge. More details will be available later, cost of tickets $25.00 double.
24th Sept	Bay of Plenty Sun Club's Annual Cabaret. Limited Motel and Camping space is provided; cost of tickets $18.00 double. Details available from Secretary (me) if you are interested.

 

*** Stop Press: Our financial year runs from 1st August until 31st July and we have encountered some confusion this year. Members who join after 1 April have this year been paying a smaller subscription rate, and this will be our policy in future years. Your prompt co-operation, with a smile if possible, will be appreciated, thank you.

 

** Tea and coffee will be available - just cheese, biscuits and similar to eat (no dips) as the room is carpeted and I had to do some unbelievably fast talking to get this venue. If we mess it up I shall be thrown into the Mt Eden crater!