# 117 - June 1986 

Having received two or three enquiries from clubs suggesting a visit to the Hawkes Bay Sun Club the committee decided to attempt a Mini Rally involving the Central North Island Sun Clubs and set the date for the weekend March 1st and 2nd. The paper work was soon underway and a suggested programme sent to each club. This was reinforced by a visit from our President and Public Relations Officer Peter Leslie and his wife Margaret as they holidayed around the clubs over Christmas. The response was encouraging and copies of a formal programme together with advice on charges club facilities and catering were posted out. Wellington got to hear of our plans and asked to be included. The more the merrier.

Trafford and Wyn from Waikato were staying at the club for a few days and decided to stay over for the Rally as did Brian and Lyn from Wellington, They pitched in and gave a hand preparing the grounds particularly the miniten court and putting course.

All was ready and the guests began to arrive but so did the rain. Fortunately it was not heavy. Certainly not heavy enough to dampen the high spirits of everybody.

People from RO-TO-TA, PALMERSTON NORTH, GISBORNE, MANAWATU, WELLINGTON, WANGANUI, WAIKATO and TAURANGA were registered at the gate and each were given a copy of the programme and a disk to wear around their necks giving their name and club and certifying that they attended "The Rapere Rage-Up 1986"

Photo: Doug Cousins

An informal evening on the Friday night went well as people soon mixed with one another. Old friends met, strangers met and became friends. The committee provided a hot supper and the gathering retired to their beds hoping for fine weather in the morning.

Saturday dawned cloudy with a splatter of rain and activities commenced with a Putting Contest which provided some spectacular performances. Graeme of Ro-to-ta was declared the winner while Allison of Wanganui was commended for being the Most Honest Player.

Next to follow was a Miniten Competition with players and partners being selected at random from a draw. This continued through to Sunday before the winners emerged in Margaret of Hawkes Bay and Dave of Wellington. The final was made more interesting when each player had to sip a glass of wine after each serve (that is a sip not a whole glass) I don't know how long the game took to complete but obviously the best players (stayers) won out in the end.

After lunch many of the adults went on the Wine Trail visiting at least two of our Hawkes Bay vineyards to sample the products available whilst the children were entertained in the clubrooms painting and drawing.

A Disco followed in the evening and the clubrooms saw a crowd of revellers the size of which had never been seen before. In the hands of Harry, our M.C. the joint was jumping so to speak. The staying powers of each individual was tested to the full. The younger children enjoyed the early hours but after they had gone to bed the adults set the pace. Supper wa received with much enthusiasm and very soon disappeared. Dancing must work up an appetite.

Two couples were brave (FOOL HARDY?) enough to try a plunge in the pool and their shouts could be heard over the music. They were out of the water much faster than they got in and were soon back in the hall. A spell of Rock 'n Roll was required to warm up and dry off. It is reported that the last act was played at about 3am in the morning.

Sunday and the sun began to shine on a champagne breakfast with many people beginning to show signs of weakening under the pace they had set. Some had to pack and prepare to return home around lunchtime and we were sorry to see them go, as sorry as they were to leave.

The Rapere Games followed more or less in the spirit of "Top Town" and were thoroughly enjoyed by all participants. One competitor complained that it was unfair that his bucket had a hole in it. Another lass in the excitement carried her more or less full bucket all the way back to the start line and emptied it back again. Laughter was the main ingredient. We still don't know who won.

After an afternoon tea practically all our visitors left for their homes and we trust they had safe journeys and retain pleasant memories of the Rapere Rage-Up.

Photo: Doug Cousins

This time I'm going to talk about work. Sorry.

Finding myself with an unexpected free day during the week, in that gorgeous sunny period in mid-April, I shot through to my club, the Waikikamukau Outdoor Social Club (see "Talking Point", Issue No. 116), I arrived at the gates in my Mark III Cortina painted in regular brown and green army camouflage to make it look like a Bren Gun Carrier. I carefully scanned the road ahead and behind. Satisfied that nobody was in sight, I leapt from the car, threw open the gates, roared through (taking the car with me) and slammed the gates shut. While regaining my breath I removed the plastic pointed false ears with which I had disguised myself as Mr Spock. At last I was able to relax.

There was one other person at the club - Old Peter. (We have two Peters in the club; the other one is younger than Old Peter and is called Young Peter.)

Old Peter is a retired widower. He is an ardent supporter of the club. He sits on the committee. All year round, summer and winter, he will be found out at the club at least two days a week (apart from weekends) doing something useful. As every club member knows, there is never any shortage of useful things to do.

He doesn't exactly look after the club single-handed - not quite. He is helped by a pathetically small body of equally willing workers. Every club member will be only too aware of that phrase, "pathetically small" in this context.

Agreed, it has been thus since the beginning of time. There is not a recreational or sporting club, member owned, anywhere in the world, where 99% of the voluntary work isn't done by 1% of the members. Everybody will hasten to agree that "it isn't right" and that "it shouldn't be so". But nobody has ever come up with any practical suggestions for rectifying the situation. If pressed, they will trot out the hoary old argument that "that's the way it's always been" as if that were sufficient reason for doing nothing to try and change it. The non-working majority are split into two groups.

The first group - comprising the bulk of the drones - are those who flagrantly and unashamedly turn a deaf ear to pleas for help. They will loll indolently in the sun, watching a perspiring worker marching along behind a lawnmower. If challenged to get their lazy backsides up off the turf and do something useful - like taking the mower over for a spell - likely as not they'll probably reply that the worker seems perfectly happy doing what he's doing so why interrupt him?

The second group are even more contemptible. They are those well-heeled members who ease their consciences by making generous donations towards club appeals for extra funds for one urgent need or another, thus purchasing immunity from the unpleasant business of having to get their hands dirty with a little hard graft. Now, what can be done about this appalling state of affairs?

Here's one suggestion for openers. What about offering some encouragement as well as appreciation, in the form of privileges or concessions to the willing workers? Such as waiving camping fees if they pitch a tent for the odd weekend, or giving them free parking and electric power for a caravan?

There's no need to pick up the phone to ring me; I can hear your screams of protest from here without it. "Impossible!" you cry. "Totally unworkable! Who's going to decide just who gets the concessions? And just how much work will be deemed sufficient to merit the concessions?"

O.K., I never said there wouldn't be difficulties administering a scheme like that. But just ponder for a moment. Isn't it a fact that the term "willing worker" is virtually synonymous with "committee members"? Not only are committee members willing workers in actual fact as well as by definition, but conversely, anyone who shows his willingness to pull his weight around the place, invariably seems to end up being voted onto the committee.

So what about automatically granting the concessions to committee members as of right? Even if they never ever mow a blade of grass or pick up a paintbrush, they still do a hell of a lot more work for the club than the rank and file of the members.

As the man says in the potato chip commercial, it's a start. There's another aspect that should also be borne in mind.

All committee members and/or willing workers regularly incur expenses on club business which they pay out of their own pockets. I have yet to see a club constitution which makes specific provision for reimbursement to members of such out-of-pocket expenses. Besides which, the majority of those legitimately entitled to claim them, never do so because they are too generous, or too proud, to ask. Wouldn't it be a nice gesture on the part of the club to offer?

I'll tell you who would really appreciate it. People like Old Peter - and every club has at least one member like him.

Everybody knows that Old Peter is retired. Something that many don't know is that he lives on the National Super augmented by a few bucks a week from a small investment. It should be obvious that he's living on the bones of his backside from the look of the old bomb of a car that he drives, held together with fencing-wire and chewing gum. Unhappily, so many folk never think of these things. Or just never think.

But does Old Peter ever suggest that the club might help with, say, a few dollars for the petrol he burns attending committee meetings and going to work on the club? Not he! He's far too proud. But I don't think he'd be too proud to accept it if it was offered.

There must be a solution to the problem somewhere. Your challenge - should you decide to accept it - is to put on your thinking-cap and come up with a workable solution.

As always, should you decide to write to the Editor on this very important but hitherto-ignored subject, he will be delighted to acknowledge your actions and print your letters.

But don't continue to ignore the problem in the pious hope that it will go away. This article will NOT self-destruct in five seconds.

Veal Johnson's article concerning the 'Network', the group of Naturalists Penfriends, was written for distribution to various naturist publications throughout the world. We would like to bring this group nearer home. Doreen and I first joined the NETWORK when it was very young, about 30 members; rather than more than 750 it is today and still growing rapidly. We have now settled to writing regularly to just over 40 people in many parts of the world..

What has this meant to us?

We have learnt not only so much about how social nudity is flourishing in other parts of the world, their types of clubs, their clothing optional beaches, bush walks, canoe trips where clothes need not be worn or skinny dipping is carried out; but also the many good points and problems these people have in their countries. We also gain knowledge of the textile communities in these places.

Above all we have so many new friends of like interests who share in our trips, our country and ideas through letters, tapes and photos.

Last year we were able to host a Texan couple we had been writing to and we loved showing them the rally at Tolaga Bay, some New Zealand clubs and how wonderful it was to meet them personally and take them around some of this beautiful country we live in.

Another country couple from Colorado will be out in New Zealand later this year and we are certainly looking forward to seeing friends Chachee and Bob. Unfortunately we cannot show them around very much but we will do our best. It is quite a shame there is not a better system of contacts in each district or even better still that the bed and breakfast registry now getting underway in England and the USA was not further advanced out here and more naturists could see the advantages of forming this registry as the host can gain not only financially but culturally by this contact with other people and some grand friendships can be forged.

In June we are visiting Australia. It will be so nice to know we are going to meet at least three families we have been writing to in the NETWORK and we will not feel so alone in a strange country knowing we will be in contact with the naturalist scene in many places we will visit.

Sudden bad illness last year laid me low for long periods. It was the highlight of my day when the mail was brought to me or when I could make it to the mailbox to eagerly see from which countries I had received mail and from which of our many good friends. It was reading and re-reading these letters that helped to pleasantly fill long days of inactivity. Thanks to the NETWORK.

There's an excitement about being in the game parks of East Africa that's impossible to describe. The books don't do it. The slides and movies don't do it. The trophies most of all don't do it. When you're there, you feel it. People who've been there can hold one another in rapt conversation for hours about it; people who haven't been there can't quite imagine it.

We may not have the good fortune of going on a safari but we do however, as club committee members, have an opportunity of creating a similar situation to that of a Safari; namely, a well run club.

Whether fellow members have good things to say, or feel good about belonging to a club really depends on us.

If we, as club-elected officers, are action orientated, have a bias for getting things done and above all bubble with enthusiasm; we will succeed.

At this workshop we will look at a video on two companies to see how they became very successful. We take a look at Disney World and its cast of would-be Mickeys and Goofeys, maintenance personnel and tour directors. See how people are trained and given responsibility, and you'll see the results.

Well take a look at Stew Leonard's Dairy - a single location food store doing $80 million annually. The suggestion box is always full. That's because they've learned the art of listening and responding to the customer.

Then we will have a discussion on the three most important ingredients to a club's success - namely People, Innovation and Corporate (Club) values and produce an action list of what WE as individuals, can do next.

I am writing this on the way home from the Christchurch Rally. I am still marvelling a the efficiency of the organisation, the variety of activities and events, and the relaxed friendly atmosphere which prevailed throughout. The beautiful environs of Pineglades, fine weather, and the hard work of the Canterbury Sun Club combined to make the Rally an unforgettable experience.

One thing puzzles me, though. A group of people stayed fully or partially clothed for the whole rally, declining to strip even when the temperature reached 30°C in the shade. Only briefly did some of them compromise their determination to remain clothed - and that was for a quick dip in the pool. One of them told me that she was going to stay fully clothed the whole time. Others declined to strip for a team photograph.

Sitting by the pool one hot afternoon, I counted 15 fully clothed people (long black trousers, sweatshirts, etc) and began to wonder if I really was at a nudist rally. In fact, there was so much clothing being worn at the Christchurch Rally that the official photographers often had difficulty taking pictures to illustrate the nudist way of life because fully clothed people would walk in front of the camera at crucial moments.

One of the pleasures of attending a club or a rally is to socialise with other nudists and to feel part of the nudist community, enjoying the open relaxed friendliness that nakedness invokes. The presence of fully clothed people can only detract from this community spirit and reduce the pleasure of the true nudists, some of whom have travelled long distances at considerable expense to holiday among others of their own persuasion.

It follows that those who stay fully clothed at a nudist rally are, whether they realise it or not, being a little selfish. But, selfish or not, it does seem strange that people should join a club and then decline to do the very thing the club is established for. I think these folk should ponder the difference between the hard-won freedom to undress which exists in the nudist clubs and the compulsion to dress which prevails outside. I know that New Zealand clubs hesitate to compel members to undress (as some apparently do in England), quite rightly leaving the members free to dress or undress as they please. Most of us are in favour of freedom of choice, and deplore any suggestion of compulsion. However, our tolerant attitude is based on the assumption that nudists prefer to be naked whenever possible. Others, who prefer to wear clothes, will find ample opportunity to do so outside the club grounds.

The Pacific Sun Club of Queensland has among its rules:

'Normally you will be naked, but in unkind weather or for special reasons we may relax this rule'. I would like to see this expectation of nudity applied to our own members. Nakedness is normal for a nudist. A person who will not undress is not a nudist. Compulsion does not enter into the question - there is complete freedom of choice. Come to the nudist club and undress in the sunshine, or go elsewhere and wear clothes.

EXECUTIVE PROFILE

Sue Hurley, the newly-elected North Island Vice-President, has for many years been dedicated to the promotion of nudism.

Aged 31 and married with three children, she has still found the time to sit on the committee of the South Auckland Sun Club for six years, the last three as Secretary. In addition to this, she has been part of the editorial team of the "NZ Naturist" for five years, and for the past year has also handled the magazine's distribution.

Her plans for the future? To work even harder looking after the interests of North Island nudists in particular and in general the furtherance of the naturist movement throughout New Zealand.

Club
Diary

The Club Diary lists the dates of special functions, at which visitors from other Clubs will be warmly welcomed. If you are contemplating an out-of-town trip, the Diary is invaluable. With each subsequent issue of the Naturist, the first three months of the Diary are deleted and the next three included, thus maintaining a constant list of 10 months' forward planning.

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

There is only so much that can be said about the practice of naturism, and in this book Phil Vallack has said it all - at great length and in considerable detail.

This 80,000-word Do-It-Yourself Guide to Instant Nudism may have a few things going for it, but brevity it not one of them. All it contains could have been condensed into a quarter of the wordage. There is a lot of (probably) accidental repetition and (obvious) padding.

The author has clearly done a great deal of research and wants the reader to know it. The text is heavily larded with quotations from other writers' works - an average of half-a-dozen per chapter - and he has an obsession with historical dates.

Vallack's preoccupation is with Free Beaches and out-of-the-way places where one may find solitude for nude sunbathing; to find and catalogue which, he has travelled extensively throughout Britain and Europe, resulting in the publication of his previous work, "Free-Sun Europe". He makes it clear from the outset that he has no time for Clubs (which he states he does not "need"), and the reference to his own home - which has a totally-secluded garden - further emphasises his anti-social proclivity.

On the credit side, he writes with an easy fluency and doesn't split too many infinitives.

There is no question but that the work is comprehensive. It comprises 26 chapters, each dealing with a specific aspect of naturism - communal nude bathing, nudity in art, exhibitionism, psychology, the legality of public nudity, to mention just a few - and the history of each subject is meticulously and exhaustively - not to say even exhaustingly - traced from its earliest known beginnings to the present day.

This is not a book that can be read steadily through from beginning to end. That way, boredom soon sets in from the manner in which every point is hammered home. But the very fact of its division into a number of self-contained compartments, makes it an ideal work to be kept on the beside table and read, a chapter or two at a time, at one's leisure.

Vallack nevertheless deserves considerable credit for having written an in-depth study of naturism which will appeal equally both to confirmed, practicing naturists, as well as to those toying with the idea of joining the movement, but wanting to know a great deal more about it before making up their minds to take the plunge.

For the latter group, "Naked As The Day" will without doubt tell them everything they want to know. For the former, it is an excellent "Pocket Encyclopedia" of naturism to which reference can be made to illustrate a point in discussion, or settle an argument.

It is profusely illustrated with dozens of tasteful nude studies, as well as several pages of naturist cartoons. A list of the number of naturist beaches and also clubs in no less than 45 countries is given - New Zealand rates sixth place with a total of 64; a very creditable figure in view of the size of our population.

There is also a complete list of every Sun Club in Britain - 65 in all - with contact addresses and telephone numbers. Also a list of nude swimming and/or sauna activities (51) again with contact phone numbers.

To complete the catalogue, a map of Britain showing the location of 111 nude beaches, each given a rating of from one to four stars - presumably Phil Vallack's personal assessment. All these listings, however, will have little interest for our readers except for those planning a visit to Britain.

All in all, for my money the book is good value for the purchase price and is worth buying.

The 1986/87 National Rally

Who's Feet are these?

They belong to the Captain and his first mate who are watching the launching of the event on the nudist calendar, the National Rally; which has been launched in the harbour capital. An industries crew has been hijacked and a voyage is being plotted that will give all of you an unforgettable trip. With the excellent facilities on board, and those in the alien (non-nudist) countries we will steer our way around. We promise you an eventful holiday. Our crew is overflowing with ideas and during the next few months we will let you in on some of them. What you need to do now is to start building up state of energy.

Signed Capt. Barry
and his first mate Bev.

Editor: We've seen the top, now the bottom - watch out for the middle.

WANGANUI SUN CLUB

Wanganui Sun Club enjoyed a very good February and March with fine weather following us for our main events. Our inter-club activity this year was a great Hangi weekend with guests from all over the lower North Island (over 60).

We held a beach day in the middle of February. This was our third attempt in less than 12 months (the others got rained out). About five families went to the beach behind Santoft Forest and enjoyed the sun and sand until the storm clouds gathered, the heavens opened and we got washed out again; so much for beach days! Our last event for summer was our annual miniten championships and champagne breakfast. The weather was perfect although the crowd small. We had a lot of fun, a good breakfast and ended our Sunday morning with a game of bowls on the miniten courts. We said farewell to Graham and Ursula Fisk at the end of March, they have left for Australian shores to seek their fortune. Wanganui Sun Club will miss their enthusiastic guidance over the years. Anyone who had had an association with our club will know this couple have had very close ties with the club for many years. Graham spent four years as president, with him and his family filling a host of other positions within the club. We wish them all the very best in their new venture and note Graham left with a guide to Australian Nudist Clubs tucked under his arm. Look out Australia, the Fisks have arrived.

The late winter and spring was a busy time at Wanganui. We put in a new sundeck on the north side of the club house, and a new barbecue and campfire nearby. The campfire has proved very popular in the warm summer evenings. We have purchased three new picnic tables for our barbecue area and this had made this spot a pleasant place to gather.

Work started on an extension to the clubhouse which will see us with a store room, showers and a laundry. Hopefully work will be finished during the summer.

HAWKES BAY SUN CLUB

Hello again from Hawkes Bay, especially to the many people from other clubs who joined us at the Mini Rally in March. There was a lot of fun and laughter about and it was neat to meet up with old friends again. The welcome on Friday night was a bit wet but visitors were warmed up quickly by the happy evening talk. Saturday morning saw us all playing mini golf and a convoy of nine cars went on a wine trail in the afternoon. When the disco started at 830pm the hall was packed with about 90 adults, the atmosphere was happy and supper was a feast. Thanks to daylight saving ending, we could sleep an hour longer, which was surely needed. Next morning we woke up to a beautiful sunny day and the sound of bagpipes, and all of us gathered on the lawn where we cooked breakfast and drank champagne. The weekend ended with the traditional "Rapere Games".

Since then, things have quietened down a bit, it's getting a bit cooler, days are shortening and leaves are falling once again. This does not mean that our club is slowing down, plans are underway to fell some trees and sell them to a contractor; plans for a games court are in the process of being more than mere plans and we hope to have some more social activities this winter. On the remaining fine weekends, we still will enjoy each other's company, the countryside with no noisy mowers but sheep grazing and maybe we'll get a glimpse again of the pukeko and her chicks who visit us regularly at Rapere.

PALMERSTON NORTH SUN CLUB

Palmerston North's summer was good with March being a particularly settled month. Easter gave us three beautiful days with some 60 members taking full advantage of the sun and our pool, Several sporting events and evening social activities were enjoyed; especially the Easter Sunday champagne breakfast.

Club members attended the Wanganui hangi and Hawkes Bay Mini Rally weekends, with both weekends being very enjoyable. We hope to have some of their club members at Palmerston North later this year.

We have installed six more powered campsites this season and this gives us a total of 44 fully serviced sites, with 43 being permanently let to our members. We do have extra power points for visitors and if you would like to stay at any time, you are assured of a power connection. Most of our new members this season are family groups, and it's many years since we have had so many children on the grounds. The children's play area has been upgraded, and apart from looking good, has come in for a great deal of use. All site-holders have taken a special interest in tidying and beautifying their sites and our grounds look really great.

We recently felled and sold some 25 pine trees which had reached the end of their useful life and were becoming dangerous as well. The mess has yet to be cleared but this will be made easier with the use of a bulldozer.

Our monthly winter saunas start in May and we will be holding our Polar Bare swim on the solstice. Visits to the grounds during winter can be very pleasant, even if it's not 'gear off' weather.

AUCKLAND OUTDOOR HEALTH CLUB INC.

It was disappointing that the weather interfered with the programme of inter-club sports days this past season. However we were able to complete our own club sports and social programme to the enjoyment of all who took part.

The club 'Top Team' day was well attended and provided a source of amusement for all who took part and also the spectators. Other activities included a camp out at Uretiti Beach in Northland, plus a car rally, fishing trips and a Waitakere ramble.

The club membership has grown significantly and we welcome all those who have joined the club during the season.

We are beginning to plan for the NZNF Rally to be held on our grounds during December 1987-January 1988 and ask that you all take the opportunity to visit AOHC at that time. There will be plenty of room for those who would wish to stay on after the Rally and perhaps see something of the Auckland area. Many new adventure parks have sprung up around the city in the past few years and there are many fine restaurants and shopping malls worthy of a visit. West Auckland, where the club is situated, is in the middle of the wine growing region and many cellars provide good hospitality for those who may wish to visit.

We particularly welcome overseas visitors and this past few months have hosted two American couples who have enjoyed their stay.

During the past year our grounds were again used by some of the local caravan clubs for their weekend Rallies. The visits have provided an alternate venue for them as well as gaining our club some good public relations.

Many fine social evenings have been held during the season and the most recent was a 'Love Boat' style dine and dance held in the clubrooms. The organisers acted as Captain and crew and played out many skits to the amusement of all.

ROTOTA CLUB NEWS

A fairly quiet summer at Geyserland Leisure Park (ROTOTA) except for New Year's Eve, so I'm told. We have had a steady stream of visitors from. other clubs and overseas but not the volume of last year. Wet weather perhaps?

Five ROTOTA families went to the Hawkes Bay Mini Rally in March. A wet arrival, but a very warm welcome Friday night. Up at dawn (lies!) for the first event - 9 holes of golf. Hazards included a carefully placed tree root, and the flying fox going through one end of the course. The afternoon saw a convoy of cars following a wine trail, and the occupants tasting the products, Did you hear someone asking to sample "a rough red?" Silence from behind the counter, then "We don't have any rough wines!" Back to Rapere for miniten doubles, followed in the evening by the "Rapere Rage-up" with dancing, raffles, spot prizes. Judging by the noise very late (early?) for one, at least, it finished with a splash in the pool.

Three ROTOTA types were up with the sparrows (the early bird gets the mushrooms) and had a full feed before the official champagne breakfast. Haggis was almost an hour late giving the wake-up call with his bagpipes. The visitors applauded his efforts warmly, but unfortunately he called our bluff and played some more. The champagne breakfast was a long and lazy affair, followed by the finals of the miniten played with good spirits (champagne)!

'Rapere games' followed, which saw some lucky escapes from a flying rolling pin, and some unlucky 'accidents' with water in various containers. Children's activities were well used; boating on the lake, golf, swimming, miniten, wicket, and the flying fox which some of us bigger kids used too. Even watermelon was supplied, by the local gipsy.

A good fun-filled weekend, thank you Peter, Haggis and the rest of the Hawkes Bay team. As one of our members said, "Been there, done that, we'll come again."

Coming ROTOTA events (gone as you read this), are a disco in Tokoroa mid-March, and the hot pool weekend in Tauranga; end of May. Other activities are being planned, so there is no excuse to go into hibernation for winter.

I hope the sun is still shining on you.

PS. There is a new standard required for official club functions such as champagne breakfasts. It is known as "club uniformal" and consists of club uniform (neatly pressed to remove wrinkles), white gloves, black bow tie, and top hat (optional). The wearing of this should be restricted to functions (a) where people are really enjoying themselves, OR (b) where people are rarely enjoying themselves, and taking themselves too seriously!

AUCKLAND SUN CLUB INC.

Although we have, missed the last few issues of the Naturist, the Auckland Sun Club is definitely alive and thriving. We have had a very good summer with many new members joining our club. Over the Christmas break our members seemed to be spread out all over the country visiting different clubs and some attending the Rally.

Much has been happening around our club with our committee being very enthusiastic in leading the way with fundraising and working bees. We now have a tenniquoit court added to our recreational list of things to do around the club. Also a new brick barbecue has been built, which has well and truly put to good use. Campsites in our very picturesque bush have been cleared for use, our drive has been tidied up with stones laid down around the parking areas to lessen the chances of being stuck in the mid during winter months.

Fundraising has also been very successful. A garage sale, and a pickled onion day boosted the coffers dramatically. Our pickled onions were so successful that we are holding another pickling day. Great fun is had while different groups peel, others wash jars, place onions in jars and complete the pickling process. A pot luck dinner was held after our first day and rounded off a very enjoyable day. With all this fundraising going on we have managed to become the most financial ASC has been for many years. A definite aim for all this hard work raising money is to complete the inside of our clubrooms by lining the ceilings and going some of the way to finish the inside decorating off.

Another very successful day at our club was our sports day. We were the only Auckland club fortunate enough not to be rained out: our day was one of the most glorious days of the whole summer season. A very good turnout from many of the different clubs completed a really great day, with AOHC taking the honours in the volleyball.

The next social project we intend to have is a mid-winter Christmas dinner. All the traditional Christmas food eaten as it should be in the colder temperatures.

SOUTH AUCKLAND SUN CLUB

The last few months have been hectic at our grounds. We enlisted the help of a hydro-engineer to solve our flooding problems. After major discussions, great changes took place rather quickly.

The earth excavator arrived and proceeded to rearrange the scenery. With trees and shrubs disappearing, rather quickly, and tons of soil being moved, our grounds soon began to take on the 'Super Bowl' look. By Friday night all that needed to be shifted or removed, was. Well as far as the dyke was concerned anyway.

The hump in the centre area was levelled and spread around the outside of our lower ground (sports area). The ditch by the track to the kitchen was filled. Unfortunately some shrubs were removed to allow access for the machinery. Still there is a lot for members to do, grass has to be sown and shrubs planted.

Even though the grounds look a mess at the moment, the change will look remarkable when everything is finished. The flat area on the dyke will still leave plenty of room for lazing around.

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Overheard at a Sun Club working bee;

"Sorry I have to leave so early but I've got a fair bit to do at home and I've kept her waiting long enough already."

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SOUTH CANTERBURY SUN CLUB (Willowbanks)

This small South Island club of nudists has been enjoying warm rain, hot sun, vigorous growth in grass therefore plenty of grass cutting. No rest for the wicked. The river close by is a good place for a refreshing dip! While several members were at the "O.K. Rally", and others away at Mapua and at other clubs, there was still activity at "Willowbanks" with visitors from Wellington and Wanganui. Following the Rally more visitors arrived for what they hoped would be a chance to catch up on some lost sleep, only to find that the birds (feathered kind) stayed up late and woke early!

Our mini-ten court is very successful this year having had a vibrating roller over it. It is a clay-lime court and is the same "recipe" as the softball diamonds. We wrote to the Softball Association for the information and is well worth considering, for a club that wants a court but doesn't want an expensive one.

Opening Day in early December saw at least 50 people on the grounds including 15 from Pineglades. It was a successful day. The damping sites are now being marked out with shrubs and the other shrubs and trees are now well established.

Two of our members came back from the Rally with cups. Hamish - for draughts. Julie - ladies swimming. Well done. Paul, who represented Canterbury in some events, and his partner Mark, won the Junior table-tennis and also reached the finals in the Junior doubles mini-ten. This was an excellent match and the two boys played extremely well.

NORTH SHORE SUN CLUB

Hi there, well I am glad to say that our barbeque and spit roast was a great success. The weather could have been better but both days were well attended. The workers did a great job so a big thanks to them and to all those who attended.

While on the job of thanking people, I must thank Jim for the great job he has done on painting the club house. It looks really great.

Well now I am very sad to say that our swim nights will have to come to a end by the time you are reading this as Rickardo's is about to have a big facelift so to speak. I know, like my family, there will be many other people that will miss this once a month. We will be looking around for an alternative but it may take some time though.

Our Club President, Bert has resigned, much to the regret of the club. Bert has been a keen committee member and has been President on and off for some time. But for personal reasons must resign.

We will be having a mid-year Christmas party on Saturday 21st June and a Chinese meal night on Saturday the 26th July. If you are interested in becoming a club member then these nights are a good opportunity to meet the members in a very relaxed atmosphere. So if you are interested in attending one of these nights, ring Helensville 7031 and ask for Stephen.

Dear Sir,

I have just arrived home after another very delightful trip down to New Zealand. This was my fourth trip to your beautiful people and countryside. Your beaches are fantastic for sunbathing in the nude. This last trip I decided that I would like to visit some of your nudist clubs to see how they compare with our clubs in the U.S.A.

Thanks to the help of the Waikato Outdoor Society Inc, I purchased a Camping Directory of New Zealand nudist clubs. I was looking forward to visiting some of these clubs with their permission. Due to unforeseen circumstances I had to return home sooner than I expected much to my regret. Had been looking forward to meeting some of New Zealand's like-minded people "lovers of the sun". To quote the words of General MacArthur, "I shall return".

Also Mr Editor, should any one of your club groups, ever wish to bring their sinuses to Arizona they are most welcome to call in and enjoy some Arizona sun ??? and hospitality in my private garden and hot spa. I have accommodation for four.

Incidentally I am Scottish, not American. The welcome mat is out. Yours in the way of Nature.

Thomas C. Orr

Dear Sir,

Reading the letters in the New Zealand Naturist, Dec '85 issue, about people's feelings towards photos in the Naturist, I have always found that they have shown clubs and families, as well as models, who all express one thing, and that is the beauty and joy of nudism.

My point about that true nudist publicity and PR work, was when I watched "Town and Country", which showed the 1969 rally at Wellington Sun Club. The friendliness and warmth of nudism was portrayed through the interviews and filming of members at the club grounds. Although I was only nine when I saw this programme; the interest in nudism was sown. Then when I applied to join the club, I was 16. This same friendliness glowed through the photographs of a member family, who were my neighbours; and I knew reasonably well. Therefore family photographs, or of children in the nude are not pornographic, but are wholesome record of the joy of nudism and such photos could encourage friends etc to join in at a sun club or nudism.

Although it is a long way from the days of the airbrush there have been no "girlie" poses; as that is mainly in the state of undress, or seductive poses in lingerie. The idea of saying posed photos, or even natural photos of female models detract from nudist philosophy, is wrong.

I am willing to be photographed for the New Zealand Naturist, and have already been photographed at the Waikato Outdoor Society's Open Day in 1980. If the club gave its permission for these to be submitted for publication I would not mind.

Let's concentrate on the truthful way of naturist life, and to stamp out the real culprits of pornography. Let's not sicken within our organisation, readers and supporters, or we will be the same of our present political parties. Let's instead be a powerful lobby, instead of standing on the sides.

To me New Zealand Naturist is a top magazine, worthwhile to show family, children and friends. Keep up the good work.

Yours truly
Naturist at heart,
Richard Paterson

Dear Sir,

In response to the letter in NZN 114 by Graham J. Saunders, on naturists who are also gay: In the U.S.A., there are several separate clubs and resorts for gay male naturists; and also a 'Gay & Lesbian Naturists SIG"(special interest group) of The Naturist Society. There have always been gay people in the American nudist movement, but only in recent years have they dared to "come out of the closet" and reveal their identity, Tolerance is not yet universal, of course, and is less developed in the landed clubs than the free beaches and the travel clubs.

Yet, in the conservative state of Arizona, a gay-male couple bought a nudist camp and ran it successfully for several years, recently selling to a hetero couple.

During this period, the membership remained overwhelming hetero ("straight"); and the club established a reputation for developing good relations with the neighbouring community (better than most clubs).

For many nudist gay men, separatism is the answer; especially if they feel uncomfortable in the company of women, or if they are looking for a male partner (or many). However, there are some gay men, such as the couple who owned the camp, who enjoy socializing in the nude with a full range of people - just as most straights do. After all, does the average nudist man avoid men and children and seek only the company of attractive women? Don't naturists talk to play sports with, and even massage people of various genders and ages, including many whom they find erotically non-interesting?

And let us not overlook the lesbians and bisexuals, many of whom remains invisible in society, whether textile or nudist. Some gender; these are undoubtedly present in N.Z. clubs (especially among the "swingers"). At the nude beach, you may see two women together, accompanied by the children of one; this could be a lesbian couple, or maybe not; neither appearance nor public behaviour will tell.

(P.S. to gay and lesbian naturist readers: SIC can be contacted through M. Kaufman, 243 West End Aye, New York, NY 10023, USA. Also, Oz has a clothing-optional rural retreat for gay men, with occasional weekends for lesbians: "Mandala", Chowan Creek, Uki NSW 2484, Australia; and Sydney's Lady Bay attracts many gay nudists.)

For naturism and liberty,
Tahanga

Dear Sir,

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

So your correspondent Gemini wishes to exhort us to some conformity of club name under the guise of being 'nudists' as distinct from 'naturists'.

Could I suggest that clubs when formed usually select a name that reflects the community name plus the type of activity the club is formed for in common purpose (ie, golf, tennis etc) and does not in any way reflect the state of dress/undress in which the club decides to carry out its activity.

Historically the 'common purpose' of sunbathing clubs has been as wide and varied as the names they selected for their title. Sometimes they were formed by people interested primarily in health food diets and/or promoting health through outdoor nudity. Sometimes nude gymnastics or conservation of the natural environment was the motivation. Thus people felt as being one with nature by being nude in the outdoors.

In more recent times the 'common purpose' has become lost in the many and varied sports activities, camping opportunities, social gatherings and out-of-club activities that have become commonplace and followed by most of the clubs in New Zealand.

The only common element being that most of the activities are carried out nude whenever possible and the weather permitting.

The International Naturist Federation (INF/FNI) some years ago selected the word 'naturiste' as the word best suited to expressing both the 'common purpose' and the state of dress/undress practised by the clubs affiliated to that body. Would it not follow then that club members should be known as NATURISTS thus distinct from nudists who are 'those who advocate or practise going unclothed' as defined in the Pocket Oxford Dictionary. I believe that the naturist clubs provide for more than the simple ideology of going unclothed.

May I point out that the largest naturist club in N.Z. does not include any of the words 'naturist', 'nudist' or 'sun' in its title: Auckland Outdoor Health Club Inc.

So, what's in a name?

L. Olsen AOHC

EDITOR: Please note this is a private view and not a club policy or indeed a view necessarily shared by others at home.

NEW ZEALAND CLUB DIRECTORY

The secretaries of these clubs will be pleased to hear from genuine inquirers. Please enclose return postage.

new zealand

naturist

incorporating australian nudist news

No. 117 June 1986

The New Zealand Naturist is the Official Journal published quarterly by the New Zealand Nudist Federation Inc. Registered at the Chief Post Office Wellington as a magazine.

Editor:

Graeme Brown

Typesetting and Artwork by:

Ad Service, P.O. Box 22271, Otahuhu

Printed by:

Howick Press Ltd.

P.O. Box 38-065.

Howick.

Distributed by:

Gordon and Gotch (NZ) Ltd

(Top)

AUSTRALIAN NUDIST CLUB DIRECTORY

This magazine is protected by copyright, no part of it may be reproduced. stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means electronic, mechanical, photographic, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the editor.

In our desire to present different points of view we publish articles and letters which do not necessarily represent the opinion of the editor.

All correspondence should be addressed to:

P.O. Box 2925,
AUCKLAND.
NEW ZEALAND

General inquiries concerning nudism in New Zealand, or overseas, should be addressed to the:-

New Zealand
Nudist Federation Incorporated
P.O. Box 957. AUCKLAND.
NEW ZEALAND

Applications for membership of clubs should be made direct to the club secretary (See Club Directory)

PHOTO CREDITS

Freddy Karstensen

   I.F.C. I.B.C. B.C.

Doug Cousins

   P2, C5.

R. Routledge

   P4, P6.

Leif Heilberg

   P12.

Doug Ball

   P14, P19.

STATE ASSOCIATIONS:

Nudist Association of
Victoria,*

P.O. Box 313,.
Reservoir 3073

Nudist Association
of Queensland,*

P.O. Box 442,
Woodridge QId 4114.

NOTE: The clubs marked with an asterisk (*) above are affiliated with the Australian Nudist Federation.

DEADLINES FOR COPY

118 September 1986 - 15th July 1986

119 December 1986 - 1st Oct 1986

116 March 1986 - 30th January 1986

121 June 1987 - 20th April 1987