HAPPY NEW YEAR! Well, why not? With the successful recent A.G.M. we are into the sixth new year of Free Beach Group. Let's all try to make it the most successful yet.
The A.G.M. was held on what, for a group such as ours, appeared to to a most inauspicious day — freezing cold, with passing hail showers. Much like the past summer. Despite this we had one of our largest turnouts and, most surprisingly, even had a quorum at starting time. Many thanks to all of you who made the effort. As well as our keen locals we had Charles Saggers with a contingent from Bay of Plenty, Pat Segedin from Dargaville and Tom Wheeler from Hastings.
The major decision of the meeting was to regretfully raise the rate of subscription from $3.50 to $5.00 per unit. The outgoing Committee considered this point most seriously but with an immediate jump of 40% in postage and large increases pending in the costs of printing and paper there was no other option. Our surplus of income over costs last year was only $34.00. After thorough discussion the motion to raise fees was carried with only one dissenting voice, and no prizes are offered for guessing whose it was.
COMMITTEE: The following were elected and given designated positions either at the A.G.M. or at a later Committee meeting:
| Robin Hoare | Chairman | 534-3318 |
| Lois Kennedy | Secretary | 450-037 |
| Evan Chugg | Treasurer | 453-656 |
| Ken Nice | Vice Chairman Delegate to NZNF |
568—265 |
| Tony Wilson | Asst Secretary Ed Newsletter |
679-726 |
| Adrienne Caldwell | Events | 836-2979 |
| Ted Knipe | " | 762-653 |
| John Miller | P.R.O. | 601-222 |
| Alison Milne | 892-825 | |
| Gordon Lind—Walker | 534-6367 | |
| Anthony Wilkinson | 836-7432 |
DIRECTORY: It is apparent to anyone trying to use this that it now contains many errors. This is inevitable with the New Zealanders' bad habit of frequent shifts. We have decided accordingly to scrap it and start again from scratch. Enclosed with this newsletter you will find a reply sheet. If you wish to appear on the NEW DIRECTORY please complete the appropriate section and return it as soon as possible. We hope to have the new directory published early in November, so if your form is not returned by 31st October you will NOT be on the first edition. Names will be listed alphabetically in areas.
SUBSCRIPTIONS: These are due now. Please save your poor overworked committee members a lot of work and ulcer—promoting hassle by paying early. Postage goes up 1 October so save yourself and the Group 6c. Post today.
Some of our more conscientious types have already paid their new subscription - at the old rate! Thank you to those people, and you will remember to pay the difference, won't you?
FREE BEACHES: (Or to use the more preferable title, Clothing Optional Beaches.) The fight continues, and it is becoming apparent that it may be more of a fight than anticipated. It is astounding what interpretations some officials can place on the most innocuous piece of legislation. We shall win, however. The tide is in our favour.
EVENTS: i.e. Diary. The Diary events are our all-important contact with each other, perhaps the whole focal point of being in the Group. Getting it the way you want it means lots of ideas, suggestions, criticisms and complaints (not too many of those!) Let's get it right before we send it out - that way there will be no gripes to air at the next A.G.M.
This year the Diary has been undertaken by Adrienne and Ted. Adrienne welcomes your suggestions at 836-2979 any day, anytime between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. (she doesn't go to work!) So please make sure she knows where and when you want to go, so we can al1 be there together - in the altogether.
A word of advice, however. The number of beaches where we can do our own thing is limited in general, and in particular by tides, so we cannot please everyone. Ted did a very able job last year (did you notice the pattern - North, South, East, West and so on?) Very fair, at least we thought so. Adrienne will endeavour to schedule two places for each week-end; one east, one west (to allow for wind direction); one close and one distant, and for those who are keen one for Saturday and one for Sunday.
We get a distressing amount of mail from members outside the Auckland district to the effect that nothing is organised for them. True, unfortunately. But, much as we would like to organise trips et. for you, it is impossible. We do not know your area sufficiently well, nor your preferences. But you do, and by feeding ideas and suggestions and co-operation to your local organisers you could undoubtedly have some very enjoyable Get-to-gethers. Somebody has to start, so what about it? Do something, and let us know about it so we can tell everyone.
Best wishes to all members.
Tony Wilson
Actually signed by Lois, to save time.
REMEMBER, POSTAGE GOES UP ON 1 OCTOBER 1980. SAVE 6 CENTS.
PAY YOUR SUBS TODAY
FREE BEACH GROUP INC
SKINNY DIPPERS? DIARY FOR - WOULD YOU BELIEVE -
SEPTEMBER
| SEPT 7 |
TAWHITOKINO High tide 6.20 p.m.
PIHA GLADE |
| SEPT 14 |
LONG BAY High tide 10.45 a.m.
KARIOTAHI |
| SEPT 20 |
SWIMARAMA 6.30 p.m. - 8.30 p.m. Panmure Pool, Lagoon Drive. Swim and sauna. |
| SEPT 21 |
WENDERHOLM High tide 4.20 p.m.
KAREKARE High tide 7.30 p.m. |
| SEPT 26 |
N.S.N.C. SWIM NIGHT AT RICARDO'S, PARAKAI 6.30 p.m. - 10 p.m. Adults $1.50, children 50c |
| 26th— 28th |
WEEK-END CAMP After the swim we camp at Craigwell House Hotel. Camping, hired caravans, cabin or full accommodation, and private hot pool available. Phone Adrienne for camping charges. |
| SEPT 27 |
RIMMERS ROAD High tide 12 noon Muriwai North, turn off about a mile south of Helensville bridge, drive through forest to a parking area at the beach. Toilets, sand dunes, pine scrub, swimming, sunbathing, fishing. Campers return to Parakai afterwards. |
| SEPT 28 |
MURIWAI High tide 12.45 p.m.
LONG BAY High tide 10.20 a.m. |
Would anyone interested in a fishing/swimming/sunbathing trip before Christmas please phone Adrienne with suggestions re boats, venue, or any kind of help.