National Committee

To be confirmed by annual General Meeting

President John Groombridge

04 589-5461

Vice PresidentLinda Geeves

(North Island) 04 478-4820

Vice PresidentJoyce Fleming

(South Island) 03 322-7990

Secretary Ian Bushett

04 236-8297

TreasurerJohn Groombridge

04 589-5461

Members 

 Bill Baine04 562-8514  

 Barry Marten04 567-5216 

 George North06 549-2158

Send all correspondence to the official address

LOCAL CONTACTS

Whangarei Roger Morris 

09 435 3623

Auckland Alison & Graham

09 817 8266

Tauranga Ted Lidgard 

07 542 2463

Taranaki John Lowe 

06 752 7915 

Hawkes Bay Murray Ennor 

06 879 6988

Sth Hawkes Bay Hugh Bowles 

06 374 6238

Wellington Linda Geeves

04 478 4820

Meryl Baker 

04 528 7010

Marlborough Ed Knowles 

03 574 2144

Nelson Dennis Moynihan

03 544 9560

Christchurch Joyce Fleming 

03 322 7990

Robin Gray

03 389 1919

Kapiti Island Naturist Trip

4 January 1999

The initial response from naturists for the Kapiti Island Day Trip was excellent and 37 applications were received in the first few weeks.

Yesterday I was made aware that rumour has it that the trip is now full, which might explain the lack of further applications.

It would make the trip much more enjoyable for all participants if we could fill the quota of 50 persons, and have the island to ourselves for the day.

The trip is planned for January 4 so that rally goers can attend on their way home from the rally at Manawatu Outdoor Leisure Club, but there is no reason why other nudists should not avail themselves of this memorable experience.

Could you please advise as many of your members as possible that there are still vacancies on the trip, and ask them to apply as soon as possible.

I need to apply for landing permits at the end of September. After that it will be too late to add more people.

All those who have applied so far are assured of places on the trip (assuming we get the permits), and so are all applicants up to a total of 50 persons. If we get more than 50 people I will keep a waiting list and advise those who are on it.

Doug Ball

Launches leave the mainland at 9am and 9.30am, returning about 4pm, giving visitors plenty of time to enjoy a memorable day on the island. The total cost will be $38 ($30 launch, $8 permit) per adult and $24 ($20 launch, $4 permit) per child.

Payment can be made by cheque (To Doug Ball Photography and post-dated 4 October 1998) or by credit card (Visa, Mastercard or Bankcard). No cheques will be banked nor card accounts debited until we have the landing permit if we fail to get the permit, you will be advised and your cheques or credit card details destroyed.

Complete the Registration form included with the May-June newsletter, or contact:

Doug Ball, 16 Selwyn St, New Plymouth,
   or email dougbdb@photo.co.nz

A view from the top,
Tuteremoana, Kapiti summit, 521m

George North writes letter
           to local newspaper:

The editor,

New Zealand law permits public nudity on beaches where naked sunbathing is not uncommon. This clarification of the Summary Offences Act of 1981, was ruled by the High Court in 1991 (see Ceramalus V police, AP/76/91). There is a part of Waihi Beach to the south of Island View that is used for nude recreation and is therefore a beach where public nudity is legal. Recently a man was arrested and charged by the police for walking naked on this beach. Of course the charge had to be dropped as no law had been broken. I expect that this all resulted from ignorance and or misunderstanding of the law, by all concerned. The beach is there for us all to use so let us use it in an atmosphere of tolerance and mutual respect.

George A North, Katikati

The Free Beach Group supplied information which we understand influenced the police decision to drop the charges in this case.

George is to be complimented on taking a public stand, however his letter has drawn an opposing opinion.

It must be born in mind, that whereas there is no law forbidding nudity on a beach, there is also no law which legitimises nudity on a beach or elsewhere. The Courts have determined that it is a matter of Time, Place and Circumstance, which may be interpreted as public opinion.

Respect the Constitution -

DON'T CHANGE IT!

I am appalled to see the Newsletters for May-June and July-August being dominated by remits to amend the Constitution of the Free Beach Group!

The frequency and number of amendments to our Constitution is becoming outright ridiculous. They are damaging the integrity and authority of the Constitution itself. There is a grave risk that laws become weaker and lose their integrity and authority the more often they are amended; people start to lose their respect for laws that are subject to never-ending changes.

Amendments to laws or constitutions should be made only on the basis of urgent or serious need, namely, either to overcome a substantial risk or danger, or to achieve a significantly improved situation. Less significant amendments are sometimes appropriate because of external factors (e.g. changes in other laws that impact on the law in question); however, these 'housekeeping' amendments should be made only in conjunction with more serious amendments.

In recognition of these factors, a healthy trend is emerging in New Zealand's parliamentary and legal framework that distinguishes between principal legislation and secondary legislation. Principal legislation (Acts of Parliament) is becoming streamlined to focus on 'what' is to be done, but it leaves the 'how' (or operational decisions) to lesser forms of legislation such as Regulations or Rules, or even to Codes of Practice, Memoranda of Understanding, Operating Guidelines or Service Charters.

In the case of legislation that establishes a new organisation, the 'what' cover matters such as membership, principal purpose, functions and duties, and powers to carry out the functions. Specifying 'how' the organisation then goes about its business is left to the lesser types of legal or operating instruments.

I suggest it is high time that the Free Beach Group develop an instrument such as Operating Guidelines. The Constitution should focus on the high-level matters of membership, principal purpose, functions and duties, and powers to carry out the functions. The Constitution should be amended only very rarely.

Operational matters, which are often up to the discretion of the Committee, should be specified in Operating Guidelines (or some other similar instrument). Operating Guidelines can be amended for many reasons, such as developments in technology that can lead to changes in the way in which the Committee conducts its business e.g. via email or the Internet. Such developments and opportunities do not (and should not) be specified in the Constitution.

For these reasons, I am strongly opposed to the proposed amendments to the FBG Constitution presented in Motion 4.

Firstly, John Lowe's proposals under the heading a Membership are ridiculous at best, and potentially dangerous. The proposals to establish a category of "ex-member" would open the Constitution to ridicule at the very least. John's explanation in the May-June newsletter ("Once a nudist always a nudist - should we abandon them?") is false, for a number of reasons: some people do actually abandon nudism altogether; others may be nudists in spirit and heart, but not in actual behaviour; some people prefer to be private or individual nudists, rather than social or community nudists; and, most importantly, we must respect the individual freedom and democratic right of anyone to abandon the FBG if he or she chooses to do so. Furthermore, John's proposals may be dangerous in terms of potentially violating the Privacy Act The FBG must respect the spirit and intention of Principle 9 whereby an agency is not to keep personal information for longer than necessary.

Secondly, John Lowe's proposals under the headings of Meetings and Management are either operational matters or unnecessary (in so far as they do no identify a substantial risk or danger that needs to be overcome, nor a significantly improved situation to be achieved), If any of them is acceptable, it should be considered for inclusion in FBG Operating Guidelines.

At least the first and second of John Groombridge's proposals have identified substantial risks that need to be avoided: the first proposal changes FBG assistance from being mandatory to discretionary; the second proposal avoids potential attempts to subvert the democratic process of the postal ballot system. I support his proposals. John's third proposal, to replace the words "winding up" with the word "liquidation" is externally driven and should also be accepted.

Frank Peek

President's Report

1997/98 has been a another good year for the Free Beach Group, with many social highlights, including Ngatuhoa, Rotota Campout, Summer Camp at South Canterbury Sun Club, Patuna Chasm Walk, Uruti Point; beach days at Breaker Bay, Taylors Mistake and elsewhere; visits to Pineglades, weekends at Rotota, swim nights at Cannons Creek and Wharenui. And all the other activities enjoyed by members but not shared in the newsletter.

Wellington and Christchurch members continue to arrange regular events and have good participation. Unfortunately, Ted Lidgard's attempt to arrange events for Bay of Plenty members was very disappointing, no one turned up! In all organizations, there those who participate, and those who remain in the background as silent supporters. All members are valued.

The newsletter is the place to share your enjoyment of clothes free recreation with others. We are indebted to Joyce Fleming and others who have put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard to narrate their adventures.

During the year we posted a page on the internet, combining items from our brochure, Beach List, and photos provided by Joyce Fleming. The page is presently on a free ISP organised by Murray Nash on behalf of the NZNF; the current address is long winded, but hopefully we will have a more succinct address soon.

I would like to record my "thank you" to members of the National Committee, and to those who have organised events for our pleasure, in particular, Ted Lidgard for his un-tire-ing care for a whole week at Ngatuhoa, Joyce Fleming for the work she has done arranging events for Christchurch members, and the Wellington Committee for maintaining events for the lower North Island.

Each newsletter comes to you thanks to the faithful Wellington members who are ever willing to collate, fold and "stuff" the envelopes. Tony Wilson continues to clear the official Post Box at St Lukes, Auckland, thank you Tony.

I would like to thank the Sun Clubs that have extended an invitation to Free Beach members, particularly Rotota, Pineglades, and South Canterbury.

John Groombridge
PRESIDENT

Kapiti summit, after a short climb.

NatuRally

The 47th NZNF Rally will be held at the Manawatu Outdoor Leisure Club, Lake Downs between 28 December 1998 and 3 January 1999.

The club occupies 7.5Ha of land and are very proud of the facilities that they offer for the duration of the Rally, including clubhouse, pool, children’s playground, two toilet blocks with seven hot water showers, powered camp-sites, a campers kitchen, two miniten and two volleyball courts,

The Rally will consist of sporting and social events allowing plenty of time to relax and catch up with old friends.

Costs

	Total cost of Rally (per head, all inclusive)	$95
	... if Paid in full by 31 October 1998	$85
	Day visit (10am to 10pm)	$15
	Under 18 and day visitors casual breakfast	$5
	Powered sites (limited number available)	$20

There is plenty of space for tents and caravans, and it will be possible to park your vehicle on your camp-site.

For more details and/or Registration forms, write to:

Free Beach Group, Box 30-099, LOWER HUTT

Election Results

Ballot papers for the election of the 1998/99 National Committee were passed unopened to the Secretary of the NZ Nudist Federation Inc to be counted.
The results are as follows:

Position        Nominee                    For  Agst

President	John Groombridge	49	5
Secretary	Ian Bushett	51	1
Treasurer	John Groombridge	46	3
Committee	Joyce Fleming Linda Geeves Chris Arnold Bill Baine Barry Marten Neil Green	62 53 43 42 40 30	0 0 0 2 0 0
Unsuccessful
	Rick Baker	16	1

 

The scrutineer (NZNF Secretary, Pamla Kelly) reported that there were 74 voting papers returned, and of these, 12 were ruled to be invalid. In addition, two envelopes were received with post marks after the published closing date (31 July).

The new Committee takes office at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting.

Treasurer's Report

It is a pleasure to report that 1997/98 has been another successful year for the Free Beach Group Inc.

Income from subscriptions, donations and interest were very similar to last year. Income from the sale of Fred Bear items was about half that received last year. Expenses were very comparable with last year, except that we did not make any donations this year.

As a result, our Income exceeded our Expenses by $2,266, which, although approximately 10% less than last year, is a very satisfactory situation.

Our Balance Sheet shows that we are in a healthy financial condition, so I propose that our subscriptions remain at $20 per membership unit for another year.

John Groombridge

TREASURER

FREE BEACH GROUP Inc

BALANCE SHEET as at 31 July 1998

Last Year		ASSETS
498.80		Cash at Bank		2,384.18
8,814.42		Savings Accounts		9,435.90
1,191.00		Stock		852.60
10,504.22		Total ASSETS		12,690.68
		LIABILITIES
7,861.50		Accumulated Funds		10,364.22
2,502.72		add Excess Income		2,266.46
10,364.22				12,630.68
140.00		Subscriptions in advance		60.00
10,504.22		Total LIABILITIES		12,690.68

 

AUDIT REPORT TO MEMBERS

 

I have audited the Financial Statements of the Free Beach Group Inc for the year ending 31 July 1998.

 

Accounting Policies
These accord with the Policies Statement in the report.

 

Executive Responsibilities
The Executive is responsible for preparing Financial Reports giving a true and fair view of the financial position as at 31 July 1998.

 

Auditor's responsibility
To express an independent opinion on the financial reports and report that to the members.

 

Relationship
Other than in my capacity as auditor, I have no relationship with the members of the Group.

 

Basis of Opinion
An audit includes testing evidence relevant to the amounts disclosed in the Financial Statements and an assessment of internal control and the consistent application of accounting policies. I conducted the audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards in New Zealand. I planned and performed my audit so as to obtain all information and explanation which I considered necessary. I obtained sufficient evidence to give reasonable assurance that the Financial Statements are free from material misstatements, however my audit is limited in the matters of cash handling and stock movements relative to trading and the Ngatuhoa event, as there are no practical audit procedures to determine the effect of this limitation, with all income being taken as that recorded in the books.

Qualified Opinion
My opinion is qualified only in respect of the limitations stated above. The Group has kept proper books and records and the Financial Statements fairly reflect the results of operation for the year ended 31 July 1998.
My audit was completed on 25th August 98 and my qualified opinion is expressed as at that date.

 

(signed)

ANDRE L RIEPER
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT
AUDITOR LOWER HUTT

HB Outdoor Leisure Club

Invitation

The Hawkes Bay Outdoor Leisure Club invites Free Beach Group members to visit their grounds RAPERE on the last weekend of November, Friday 27 to Sunday 29.

The weekend will be hosted by Free Beach member Murray Ennor.

Program:

Welcome from 5pm Friday, the gates will be open (Please phone if you want to arrive earlier).

Saturday:

Afternoon Visit to HB Vineries, or games on the grounds and Spa pool.
BYO BBQ around sixish.

Evening: "A bit of a Doo".
A BYO social evening with fun skits
presented by Free Beach members(?)

Sunday:

Morning: sleep-in and head massages

Afternoon: Maximum relaxation and departure for those who really have to go.

Accommodation is available, bring your sleeping bag. $10-50 per night, bookings essential if you want to be sure of a bed. Tent and caravan sites available at $7-50 per night + $1 if powered.

Note: If you decide to stay four nights, you can stay a fifth night FREE.

For bookings phone: 025 500 557 or 06 870 7443.

It would be a good idea for Free Beach Members interested in visiting RAPERE to phone Linda (04 478 4820) so that she can let you know who else will be there etc.

 

Labour Weekend at Rotota

Labour weekend at Rotota is to be a "Mini Campout". Your chance to enjoy a hangi and sheep on the spit combined with a disco courtesy of PJ. This will be followed by a champagne breakfast the next day with fun sports in the afternoon.

A small fee will be charged for the various events to cover costs.

So that Rotota can plan for the event, they will need to know approximate numbers expected to attend. Non Rotota members, please phone Bill (04 562 8514) if you intend to be at Rot3ta for Labour Weekend.

Auckland Activities

Hibiscus Coast Sun Club swim nights on the last Saturday of each month, 6pm till midnight at Palm Springs, Parakai, near Helensville. $8 per adult. Take your own food and drinks or buy them there.

Auckland Sun Club invites visitors to their Spa and Sauna evenings, held every Sunday from 4pm to 7pm; $2.50 per person. Take your towel and FBG membership card. Phone 09 814 9973 for more details.

Fernlands Hot Pool Nights

Nudvanners hold a monthly swim night at Fernlands hot pools, on the second Saturday; meet between 8 and 8.30pm in the foyer. For more details, phone Ros (07) 544 1082, or Allan (07) 575 6601.

Free Beach Group Web page

Now at:

http://members.wbs.net/homepages/f/b/g/fbgnz/