FBG - Newsletter

Hi there, hopefuls -

Well, the Queensland sun is big and round and yellow - and somewhat fierce on the tender skin of a New Zealander emerging from the gloom of winter. Only a few cotton-tail clouds to spot the infinite blue in l4 days.

Congratulations to the Mapua Motor Camp in being New Zealand's first legally recognised dress optional beach. The recent Court of Appeal decision has removed existing obstacles to their business, and from all accounts they can look to a rosy future.

By now we all know the bad news from the A.R.A. The exact reasons for rejection of the recommendations from the Parks & Reserves Committee are not as yet clear. It would appear, however, that the wording of the motion put to the Authority was the contention, rather than the principle of nude bathing. The motion called for certain beaches to be set aside for nude bathing. The Authority did not want this, and neither do we. Communication with the Authority continues and hopefully, a more satisfactory result can be obtained in the near future. In addition, our lines are still open with several Councils and positive results may yet be obtained from these.

There have always been within the Group a few who question the desirability of Optional or Free Beaches. Is not simple recognition of a beach as being "dress optional" sufficient? An interesting question. During my Brisbane sojourn I had the good fortune to spend four nights at Noosa Heads (sunshine coast, 100 miles north of Brisbane); a delightful place in itself but also in its proximity to Granite Bay - a geologically apt but rather forbidding name for a lovely free beach.

Being in Queensland, Granite Bay must remain totally void of any official recognition. Yet it exists and thrives, through public acceptance and recognition. I spent three mornings on the beach, mid-week and off-season, yet there were at all times 50-plus people on the beach, ranging in age from seven months to seven decades. Ask anyone in Noosa, or the whole sunshine coast, where and what Granite Bay is - they will tell you.

New Zealand has, at least in the minds of those who frequent them, a large number of free beaches. Unfortunately these tend to be unknown except to a few. Evidence suggests there is a large element of goodwill and even active support from the public, and in order to tap this, more active promotion of our ideas and beaches is required. In anticipation of a better summer this year the Group will be stepping up advertising extensively throughout the country.

Criticism of the diary still continues - mainly in that it is purely for Auckland members. This is not the way we want it, but unless we are informed of outings in other centres we cannot circulate them. Newsletters are projected for mid-November, December, February and March, so Local Organisers please let us know early of events planned for your members.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: There are still a number outstanding. You can't all have gone to Australia, so how about a cheque? Remember entries for the new members' directory close end of this month. A sub-committee will collate these on 4 November so if you wish to be included, hurry!

The SWIMERAMA season is now at an end. After a slow and late start patronage stepped up to a very healthy figure. This is an ideal way for new, shyer members to introduce themselves and families to club uniform. Many thanks to those who came along, and especially to Pat and Tony who managed the evenings.

In HAWKES BAY Tom Wheeler and Tony Briggs have got things off to a good start with a meeting of members. They have their first outing planned, to a beach on 1 November, and their future activities will include river and bush outings. Good work!

The SAUNA on Sunday nights at Clive Green will finish for the year on 21 December 5-11 pm with free tea and coffee; wine and biscuits will be supplied and if anyone feels like bringing a small plate that would be most welcome too. The charge will be $3.00, children free. Stan wishes you all a Merry Christmas and good sunning.

TOWELS and TEE SHIRTS are on the way, those who are waiting for them. We always have, or can very quickly obtain, stocks of these, and the cost is the same for both - $5.50. It would be appreciated if those ordering shirts or towels could add postage to their remittance - 30c.

SOME MONEY was recently received with no covering letter, nor any other indication as to who the benefactor might be. Two postal notes, $4 and $2, made out to Free Beach Group, St Lukes, and the envelope bears an Auckland postmark dated 21 September. Will the guilty parties please come forward?

TRIP TO WAIWERA will be held on Saturday, 8 November, the mixture as before, except for the added nasty taste of an extra dollar - $9.5O per head, but still good for what ails you, we think. The bus will leave Hunters Corner at 4.30 pm, Greenlane/Gt South Rd 4.45 pm, City Bus Terminal 5.00 pm and Shore City Takapuna 5.15 pm. Anyone wishing to picked up further north please ring Lois 450-037 and that can be arranged. Please fill in the coupon below and return it PDQ.

DON'T FORGET the two trips being run by Bay of Plenty, to Mayor Island at Anniversary Week-End — $26 per head, children under 13 yrs $16, students 13 to 18 yrs $l9. At Easter there will be a camp at Ngatuhoa Lodge in the Kaimais at - can you believe - $3 per person, children $1.50. For this one the cash must be in by the end of November. Please contact Charles Saggers direct about both these trips - 218 Papamoa Beach Road, R.D. 7, Te Puke. Ph. TGA 57-497

Best wishes to you all,

TONY.

Please send me ......... tickets to the Waiwera
Social at $9.50 each.

Name (print) .....................................
Address ..........................................
.......................................... Ph......
Number attending ............ Bus

Own transport
(Please tick)

MUSSEL BARBECUE Due to the kindness of Stuart and Val McFarlane we are having a mussel barbecue at Cheltenham Beach on Saturday 1st March at 6 p.m. For those who do not eat seafood Stuart has supplied a large barbecue for you to cook your own chops, steak etc on. Bring salads, bread and butter plus a little liquid happiness and come along and join the fun. As Cheltenham is not a "Free Beach" this will be a clothed affair, but remember the tide has promised to be in at 8.45 p.m. so how about a discreet moonlight swim...?
Could you please fill in the instant letter at the end of your newsletter and return to me as soon as possible so that we will have some idea how many to cater for.
Meet at South End on the beach near North Head.

I hope to have some news for you in the next newsletter about a trip to Waiwera. Until then have lots of fun in the sun.

Regards

Judy

COMMITTEE MEMBERS 1979 - 1980:
CHAIRMAN - ROBIN HOARE - PHONE - 5343318
SECRETARY - LOIS KENNEDY -      450037
ASSISTANT SECRETARY - TONY WILSON   679726
TREASURER - ALISON MILNE -      892825
ASSISTANT TREASURER - ALF GORRINGE - 685374

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
TED KNIPE (DIARY CONSULTANT) PHONE - 762653
RON WILLIAMS (ARCHIVIST)    MRE 57928
JOHN MILLER (PUBLIC RELATIONS)    602790
JUDY MILLER (MAGAZINE)    602790
KEN NICE (LIASON EXPERT) 568265
FEES $3.50 per Annum per Family Unit

INSTANT REPLY LETTER

YES WE WILL BE AT THE BARBACUE
NUMBER ATTENDING
NUMBERS REQUIRING MUSSELLS

STOP PRESS: STOP PRESS: STOP PRESS: STOP PRESS:

Stan the Sauna Man is reopening for business Sunday 10th February Clive Green Health Centre, Federal Street, City.
Any queries phone Stan 372-405

SKINNY DIPPERS' DIARY

OCTOBER, 1980

In general, the first of the beaches indicated will be for a Saturday outing, and the second for Sunday of each week-end. This will be varied from time to time - e.g. bus, boat trips and the like - but this will be clearly indicated.

Oct 5-6	PAKIRI NORTH High tide 4.50 pm Drive through Wellsford to Te Hana, turn right towards Mangawhai Forest Headquarters, about 8 kms, then right again at sign for Mangawhai Forest. One more right turn at a box in the middle of a junction. Walk south along the beach. BETHELLS BEACH High tide 7.30 p m From the car park walk north—west across the stream and around to the sand dunes.
Oct 12-13	AWHITU REGIONAL PARK High tide 12 noon Drive through Waiuku and up the peninsula to Matakawau (about 20 mins). Turn right at ARA signpost about 1 km past Awhitu School. Walk east to far end of beach near jetty. If you wish, walk over the headland past the old homestead (some wonderful trees for the kids to play in) and there lies a whole stretch of white sandy deserted beach. RANGITOTO High tide 9.40 am Blue Boats leave from ferry steps at 9.30 am, returning from Islington Bay at 2.00 p m and from Rangitoto Wharf at 2.30 pm. Adults $3.60 return, children $2.50 return. A trip for the fit and energetic to climb to the summit (with CLOTHES ON, of course). Sturdy shoes a must.
Oct 18—19	SWIMARAMA 6.30 - 8.30 pm Panmure Pool, Lagoon Drive. Swim and sauna. Adults $1.00 Children 30c. Last one for this year, so let's make it a good one. Bring your friends, invite a crowd home afterwards. Ideal for a gentle introduction to nudism. WHATIPU High tide 5.50 pm Continue through Huia to Whatipu. From car park, cross footbridge and walk towards Paratutai Rock. Fishing or sunbathing in sand hills. Some of us intend to camp here for the week-end at Whatipu Lodge. Charges $2 per site per night, no power points, use of all facilities in the Lodge. Also units and bedrooms. Phone Proprietor, 860 Huia. LONG BAY High tide 2.45 pm Walk north around rocks to second beach along.
Oct 24—27	URETITI High tides 8.30 to 11 am Weekend camp in pine trees, 2 miles south of Ruakaka. Drive north from Waipu Bridge about 8 kms, past the golf course, then turn right and continue about 300 metres. Not a camping ground, but a place where people may camp. We will rig up our own toilet. Water (and more civilised camping) available at Ruakaka. We hope some North Auckland members will join us. Perhaps a few carloads from Auckland as a day outing? A long way, but it is well worth the effort.
Oct 25-27	HUIA High tide 1 pm Emiel's Beach. Park on road to Lookout, take track on left hand side to beach. LONG BAY High tide 11 am The opening day of our season (for or whose who haven't cheated)! KARIOTAHI High tide 1 pm From Waiuku, turn west through Constable Road, Kariotahi Road and Gap Road. Walk south about 1 km.
Oct 31	N S N C SWIM NIGHT at Riccardo’s, Parakai. 6.30 to 10 pm. Adults $1.50, children 50c. Friends are invited to this one too, but no swimwear is allowed in the pools.
Nov 1—2	OMAHA High tide 4 pm From Warkworth drive towards Leigh about 8 kms, then follow signs to beach. Walk east about 15 mins. WHITES BEACH High tide 6.15 pm From the Scenic Drive, take the road to Piha for about 4 kms, turn right into Anawhata Road and drive about 8 kms to a parking area overlooking the beach. Climb the locked gate and walk down about half a mile of steepish(!!) track. Wear shoes, as the sand gets hot. Alternative access from north end of Piha up track over headland. Lois's note: This is not for the halt, the lame, the blind, the old, the very young, the unfit or the faint-hearted.

DO LET US KNOW if you have any new ideas for socials - something different that hasn't been done, or anything you'd like repeated. Also venues far same.

ANNUAL N Z N F RALLY, to be held 30 December to 3 January The Secretary is holding application forms for the Rally, and can be contacted at the Box No., or Phone 450-037.