June, 1978.

Dear Friends,

We are now at that time of the year when one looks forward to the next summer whilst one's tan from the last summer is fading fast. Looking forward of course, means planning which for next year starts at our Annual General Meeting which this year is on AUGUST 5th. However more about that later. Firstly,

NEWS FROM THE DIARY.

The Hot Pools at Riccardos continue to give our members and their friends a very pleasant way of spending an evening.

The Saunas every Sunday evening are a good excuse for getting out for a few hours amongst your friends and losing a few pounds.

The Swimerama at Mt. Wellington maybe more energetic but still well worth trying.

We had a fishing trip on the 14th May during which a hardy band braved the strong wind at Pakuranga, just to find out that all the fish had migrated to somewhere a little warmer. This was followed by lunch and tea very kindly organised by Pat and Tony to whom we are very grateful, especia11y to Pat for all the hard work and time she spent looking after us.

Our Autumn Social was held at the Auckland Motor Cycle Club Headquarters which is a very comfortable hall. About 55 adults and many children enjoyed themselves with not too much dancing but plenty of talking. Brian won the raffle. I would like to thank Lois for the hard work and time she spent in the kitchen and organising the food. Trevor for running the raffle and not forgetting John M. for looking after the music.

There hasn't been a committee meeting since the last newsletter hence there is no "News from the Committee" item.

OTHER NEWS

Regarding our affiliation I have informed the N.Z.N.F. Secretary that the Free Beach Group wish to shelve the matter until our A.G.M. This is basically due to the fact that during the period in which Robin first discussed the matter with the N.Z.N.F. Executive and the Free Beach Group applying for membership, the N.Z.N.F. re-wrote their constitution and rules. The result is that we could not join under the terms originally discussed by Robin and the N.Z.N.F.

Access Programme The Access Programme on Nudism will be shown as late in the series as is possible probably October or November. This bringing it to the beginning of the summer. The title being "Bare with us" not as previously stated.

 

Charles Saggers, the organiser for the Hamilton Area has asked me to mention that he has a caravan and space for another caravan to rent on his newly acquired section situated across the road from Papamoa teach. The section has a toilet and shower block. For further details please contact Charles at Te Awamutu 6071.

We have had an invitation from the Clive Green Health Centre to use their facilities every Sunday evening between 5 and 9 o'clock. Their facilities include large sauna, swirl pool, steam rooms and plunge pool, colour T.V. in the lounge. This should please those members and friends who particularly like steam rooms. The Centre is being managed by Stan Foster who is a member of the F.B.G. and would be pleased to answer any queries you may have. (See Diary for location) N.B. This will be additional to the Body Workshops run by A.O.H.C.

You will find enclosed with this newsletter a supplement written by our Chairman Robin Hoare. He supplied the article for inclusion in the newsletter but I have printed it separate1y to enable you, if you wish, to use it in your efforts at enrolling more members and spreading the good word. It is very good material and deserves to be used whenever and wherever possible.

As I mentioned earlier the Annual General Meeting is rapidly approaching. Our financial year closes on the 31st July, and our A.G.M. is on the 5th August. It will be held in the Kowhai Intermediate School Hall (same place as last year) commencing at 2.00 p.m. prompt. (See diary for location.) Our constitution states that the Executive and Committee are elected each year. Now is your chance for some positive action, if you think some is needed. We must have at least 50 members over 16 years of age present. For our country members who cannot make the A.G.M. but wish to make any suggestions or comments we invite you to write. Nomination of a member for a position who will not be present at the A.G.M. will not be accepted unless the Nominee signs a note to the effect that he or she will accept the position if elected.

Please don't forget to notify any change of address or telephone number.

Suggestions or contributions for the newsletter are always welcome.
Looking forward to seeing you at the A.G.M.

Yours sincerely,

Ray Woolhouse. Secretary. 

P.S. 18th June.

I have just returned from the Clive Green Health Centre where 175 adults and 50 children enjoyed a fabulous evening trying out all the pools and rooms and enjoying every minute of it. The F.B.G. and their friends thank Clive Green very much indeed for this free evening and also our thanks to Stan and Allison who kindly looked after us. It was a very pleasant meeting members from all the Auckland clubs.

 

 

NEWSLETTER SUPPLEMENT. June l978.

 

THE FREE BEACH SCENE - PAST AND FUTURE.

 

The Free Beach Group has existed for nearly 3 years, and I am trying here to give some account of our history, aims and intentions. We start with

100,000 BC - AD 1820 (approx) People swam and sunbathed nude, with no fuss and no comment. Swimwear did not exist.

1820s Sea bathing became fashionable. Away from resorts things were as before, but bathing machines were invented to give concealment. Fashionable women caused scandal by staring at men bathing. Moralists advocated 'bathing drawers', though these were brief at first.

1840s Women wearing voluminous swimming dresses. In less populated places swimwear was still optional.

1900 Sea bathing becomes even more popular. In the next fifty years swimwear becomes progressively briefer with fashion changes. Conventional morality holds that "nude is rude". Nudist clubs established for those who disagree.

l950s Daring souls start to use isolated beaches for nude swimming.

l970s Climate of public opinion at last changing. More and more countries establish legal 'Free Beaches'. None yet in New Zealand, however.

1975 Supreme Court decision that nudity is in itself not obscene. Hoped-for amendment to Police Offences law lost with change of government. Free Beach Group founded.

 

Hopefully we get out our crystal ball and see in New Zealand:

Late 1970s Increasing public acceptance of beach nudity, with ordinary uncommitted families "giving it a go". Establishment by local authorities of legal free beaches.

1980 Crowds on free beaches such that local authorities have to designate many more.

1982 Many swimsuit manufacturers bankrupt. Nearly all beaches shared by nude and togged bathers.

1998 Parliament approves free beaches. Sun Clubs still exist, offering social and recreational facilities which are always needed in the urban situation.

Coming back to earth, what is the FBG doing and what are our plans?
Our present policy is simple:

1.  To place on a central register the names of as many people as possible favourable to Free Beaches.

2.  To provide local information on opportunities for nude recreation - this could include information on Sun Clubs.

3.  To encourage social contact between members and the use of all suitable facilities.

4.  To make representations to central and local government urging the establishment of Free Beaches - or as the Americans sometimes call them, optional swimsuit areas.

The FBG started in Auckland and with very little advertising has quickly grown to several hundred members. Recently we have started to expand nationwide. Advertisements in the NZ Naturist have attracted more than a hundred keen folk, and in most areas we now volunteer local secretaries. These have the tasks of inserting small ads in local media, contacting members in their area, co-ordinating information on beaches etc., and arranging local social outings. They will probably organise committees to help them.

Ultimately, we see the FBG as becoming a federation of local groups. For the time being all clerical work is being handled in Auckland, but we are prepared to change this if it seems desirable.

It may be helpful to consider some of the opposition we will face. First we have those who, with a genuine desire to improve our civilisation, wish to do so by repressive legislation and who are for the most part completely ignorant of the facts of social nudity. Some of these may have hang-ups which cause them to react violently to the idea. There are other folk who are consistently conservative in outlook, preferring the status quo to any changes. There are possibly also those who have a financial interest in the matter — swimwear manufacturers, pornography purveyors, motel proprietors in the vicinity of beaches.

The methods of these folk may be by misrepresentation of fact, for example, Miss Bartlett's assertion about the reaction of the normal man to the sight of a naked woman, or statements that we are seeking the sole use of beaches. Any isolated case of indecency on beaches will be treated as typical, ignoring the fact that behaviour on "ordinary" beaches is often open to objection. They will present petitions - one has already been submitted to Parliament. They will attempt to apply pressure to politicians and others in public life, implying that to support Free Beaches is "trendy lefty" or morally suspect. Perhaps most deadening will he the reluctance of those in authority to make any changes in the law, considering that the matter is unimportant, of interest only to a minority and likely to antagonise electors.

There are various ways in which we hope to overcome these difficulties. One is to use whatever suitable beaches we can find in a manner which will not offend reasonable members of the non-nudist public, not obtruding ourselves on them but maintaining a low profile. We must attract as many members as possible, recruiting from among workmates and friends. Perhaps counter—petitions would be a good idea. We must write frequent informative letters to magazines and newspapers. Speakers must be available to address various organisations. It should no longer be necessary for most of us to conceal our opinions, as the climate of public opinion is now more liberal.

We may have to resist attempts to link us with various types of sectional interest or unconventional behaviour. Our sole criterion for membership is that applicants must be genuinely interested in supporting Free Beaches. We are not selecting as members only those with "conventional" or "normal" outlooks. Everyone's welcome, but the essential thing is that we respect each other's right to dissent, and refrain from causing annoyance to our fellow members.

It has been very encouraging to notice the wide range of interests and ages in the FBG. I see a main function of the Group in the forming of social links. Other types of society centre on material objects such as sports cars, boats etc., while others exist to enable their members to participate in sports. We would be more than just another pressure group - we are people who share the view that the human body is to be accepted as it was designed by the Creator, not as something to he hidden, flaunted as a sex symbol or exploited for money. Many men and women feel very lonely and powerless against the pressures of our present civilisation. I hope that through the friends that have been and will be made through the Free Beach Group there will be some measure of spiritual refreshment.

Robin Hoare.

 

 

FREE BEACH GROUP INC. S K I N N Y   D I P P E R S  D I A R Y

JUNE - JULY - AUGUST.

 

June 25th SUN.	SAUNA — Hours 5.00.p.m. to 9.00 p.m. every Sunday. Clive Green's, Health Centre, 14 Federal St. City. Large sauna, swirl pool steam rooms, plunge pools, colour T.V. in lounge. Tea, coffee and fruit drinks available. Plenty of parking. Adults $2.00. Children 5Oc. Bring your own towel please.
30th FRI	HOT POOLS - Riccardos Tourist Complex, Parakai, Near Helensville From 7.00 p.m. Adults $1.00, Children 50 cents. A meal is available if you so desire. Takeaways available in the complex.
July 2nd SUN	SAUNA - Clive Green's Health Centre.
9th SUN	SAUNA - Clive Green's Health Centre.
15th SAT	SWIMERAMA - Tepid pool at Panmure Olympic Pool, Mt. Wellington 6.30 to 8.30 p.m. Adults 50 cents, Children 25 cents. There is a fried chicken establishment across the road.
16th SUN	SAUNA - Clive Green's Health Centre.
23rd SUN	SAUNA - Clive Green's Health Centre.
28th FRI	HOT POOLS - Riccardos.
30th SUN	SAUNA - Clive Green's Health Centre.
AUGUST 5th SAT	ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - Kowhai Intermediate School Hall, Kingsland. See map below.
6th SUN	SAUNA - Clive Green's Health Centre.
13th SUN	SAUNA - Clive Green's Health Centre.
19th SAT	SWIMERAMA - Panmure Olympic Pool.
20th SUN	SAUNA - Clive Green's Health Centre.
25th FRI	HOT POOLS - Riccardos.
27th SUN	SAUNA - Clive Green's Health Centre.

 

This diary from the 5th August onwards will be subject to the new Committee's approval and you will be notified of any changes.

---