#  97 - June 1981 

The Auckland Outdoor Health Club started at the end of September 1949 as a break-away from Eric Flint's Kaurimu, which was not then a club as such but just a meeting place for naturists. A.O.H.C. was founded by those who preferred a 'members' club run by an elected committee. So they moved about a quarter of a mile up the road to a property owned by a naturist couple, Helen and Bert, who could be said to be the founders of the Club.

The first President was Bert and the first secretary Bill C. Bert and Helen's property was later bought by Norman Murray from Hamilton but with no difference in the Club's tenure. A small area was cleared and a clubhouse was built.

John became Secretary in October 1950 and carried on in this position until May 1953 when Gerald took over. At the annual meeting in 1953 it was decided by a majority vote to leave the site that we had using and move to Kaurimu where we had arranged to lease a part of Eric's property. Ray and Alma did not agree with this proposal and they, together with Norman Murray and another couple, stayed on and later formed themselves into the Auckland Sun Club.

At Kaurimu members cleared some land and over the next year cut and filled a space for a playing ground and also somewhere to sun. We had a dam for swimming and also built a club house. This was a remarkable structure which started off with log corner posts and ended with fancy window frames.

In October 1954 Gerald became President and Colin B. became Secretary. In January 1955 we made naturist history in New Zealand by being the first club, together with Kaurimu, to bring the National Press in on a National Rally. We invited reporters from the 'Herald' and the 'Star' and - with no little trepidation - from 'Truth', and in the event got the best write-up of all in 'Truth'. The Club took a major step towards official recognition when it became an incorporated society early in June 1955, again being the first New Zealand nudist group with legal standing.

In early 1956 we located our present property and started to move in. That sounds easy to those who come along now in their cars and drive right into the middle of the property, but those who came out then will certainly agree that it seemed far from easy. That must have been one of the wettest winters in years.

Every weekend a few dauntless souls went out, waded through wet paddocks and started clearing from the creek towards where the baches now stand. Our first summer saw us with this part cleared, grassed and city water laid on.

In January 1957 an influx from Kaurimu brought us extra working strength and with a revitalisation of our enthusiasm we found it easy to go ahead and clear the main recreation area which is now so nicely grassed and in lawn.

Under Hans' direction the concrete bridge was built to span the creek, the road having been completed as far as the old car park. The next year a splash pool was completed and gymnastic and sports equipment purchased.

A further burst of development was spurred during 1959 in preparation for the Rally. Electric power was brought in by underground cable and a clubhouse started and brought to a useable condition. Some of the visitors helped to complete the preparations and the clearing of tent sites around the new parking area. After the Rally, development was restricted by financial difficulties. More than half the annual income was required for purchase of the 26 acre property potentially the finest club property in the country. Rather than sacrifice future development for improved facilities, the members retained the whole area and no major projects were attempted at the time. The money available was mainly used for work on the boundaries, again with an eye to the future when subdivision of neighbouring properties would restrict our activities. Late in 1960 saw the planting of the original hedge of bamboo which follows the boundary behind the clubhouse.

Gerald remained in the office of President until October 1960, having held the position for nearly 8 decisive years. Norman then became President, and Catherine succeeded Mabel as Secretary.

A.O.H.C. was foremost in putting forward the idea of a national association for nudists in New Zealand. This was bitterly opposed at the National Rally in Wanganui in 1957, but was accepted at Christchurch the following year. The fact that the N.Z. Naturist magazine is now printed (previously a duplicated booklet) was largely due to the A.O.H.C. members pushing ahead around the early '60's.

In the early sixties we functioned as a members' club in every way. Every Sunday seemed to be a Working Bee day due to our grounds being underdeveloped and our small membership. Everyone had a job allocated - mowing lawns, grubbing out the many tree stumps, planting bamboo and trees for future shade. Arthur's Park was developed, together with other minor projects of that nature which nevertheless involved a lot of members in some solid physical work. Leisure consisted of a group tea break organised by the ladies, splashing in the small pool, playing tenniquoits or the king of sports at that time, volleyball.

However, the winds of change arrived and everyone wanted something better. - There was talk of building a sauna, a social hall, tennis courts, a swimming pool, showers, toilets and miniten courts.

Sub-committees were formed to advise on the feasibility and cost of building a swimming pool and to find a space for miniten courts.

With help from outside engineers, a swimming pool was designed, costed, and the present site suggested as the most suitable - provided we could afford it. The suggestion was put to the A.G.M. and a levy to build the pool was approved unanimously. Members rallied round with gifts of cash, timber, building blocks etc. The first sod was turned in the gully and the swimming pool was underway. Almost everyone had a bit of a dig, but the swimming pool committee, their families, and the experts who had volunteered their services shared the brunt of the work. There is no doubt that this was a turning point in the club's history - the completion of the pool in 1965 led to a rapid increase in membership and an increase in the cash available for further development. As a natural extension to the pool an ablution complex was designed and built, again with volunteer labour and our expert plumber!

The small group who had battled for miniten courts finally won the day against the volley-ballers and the first concrete miniten court was laid. Recruits to the game came thick and fast and later new courts had to be constructed to meet the demand. Landscaping experts advised on suitable trees, shrubs and plants to enhance the swimming pool area and in front of the clubhouse.

With the increase in membership due to these added facilities it became obvious that the existing clubhouse was totally inadequate and that urgency must be given to extending it as soon as possible. For the first time a building contract was organised with an outside builder in order to get the job done quickly.

The extension and general upgrading of the clubhouse provided a more than adequate social venue and thus during the 70's greater emphasis was placed on social activities both winter and summer.

Work throughout this period involved the upgrading and maintenance of our facilities and grounds. The new camping area known as 'Sunset Strip' was developed as an extension to the top paddock providing site for caravan camping.

Our biggest project however, was the installation of sewerage pipelines throughout the property. This project costing around $24000 was completed during 1980 in anticipation of an early connection to the city mains. However to date we await this connection due in part to the lack of development finance by the property owner next door across whose land our sewer line must go.

Further development is envisaged in respect to providing more campsites on the western side of our property. This will provide opportunities for more people to have a holiday near to home without the added burden of costly travel.

The club has now achieved a very high standard of development with facilities equal to that of any members club anywhere in the world. This achievement has been shared by many past and present members.

During the 1960's when A.O.H.C. regularly held beach outings, it was difficult to conceive that in fifteen years the 'free beach' concept would develop to its present liberal attitude of acceptance. While we have not as yet reached the degree of totality we seek in this regard, the 1980's will see us achieving our objective.

Club nudism will remain the centre for social and recreational activity and 'beach nudists' will find the opportunity to extend their activity into a year round event by joining one of the established clubs located throughout the country.

Auckland Outdoor Health Club (Inc.) is looking to the eighties to provide even greater opportunities for sport, recreation and enjoyment for families and to make our club the nudist mecca of the South Pacific.

(The above article was compiled from notes prepared by Norman Fullerton and Eric Rogers.)

Les Olsen

This time of year is perhaps the quietest so far as general Club activities are concerned. Summer is over and winter, with its associated disadvantages is with us. This therefore is the time for Clubs to take a good hard look at their achievements last summer, and plan for the next.

am a firm and vocal advocate for long term planning, and it is my view that clubs and members require as much lead in time as is possible on any project, undertaking or activity. Full or almost full participation will not eventuate if a few days notice, or even a week's notice is given concerning a planned event. It is, I would suggest, incumbent upon Club committees to plan now for their summer activities and projects, so that all members will know what is in store for them and the club, and can make their private arrangements to suit. Members must know in plenty of time of what is expected of them, so that committees are not disappointed about turnout, or assistance. An efficient and successful Club will be one who plans, in advance, what it is going to attend to, and makes sure that its plan is kept to. With the onset of summer members don't want to be involved in finishing off projects, they want to be able to sit back, reflect on the winter and enjoy what summer has to offer. We call ourselves organised nudism, so lets be organised.

A great deal of correspondence which passes over my desk relates to enquiries as to how to join Clubs and where these are located, and more particularly from overseas enquiries about holidaying at Clubs. These letters reveal that we have a great untapped membership, and given proper and adequate information increased membership, will result. To be able to have a holiday in New Zealand at a number of nudist clubs, must surely be a "holiday of holidays", so we must do whatever we can to encourage this type of vacation. We must have grounds and facilities that will allow for visitors to stay lengthy periods, and an organised method of arranging for their visits. Most Clubs are only too happy to assist in the most positive way, so that not only the New Zealand holiday maker will benefit, but so will our overseas friends. Lets make significant progress in this area so that more will come to our shores and Clubs, and what's more, come back again.

One final thought is that are we encouraging youngsters to remain with the movement? We know that adults find enough to do when at the Club, but is there enough for the children, and do the adults encourage their participation. Think on it for a while, and if you are not satisfied that you are doing your part, then for goodness sake, do it. Les.

In the bustle of modern civilised life, one thing contributes very much to the frustrations and misunderstandings which make life so difficult. This is a fault which most of us seem to have in large or small degrees, it causes many arguments, differences of opinion and even fights at times. This problem can be summed up in three words, lack of communication. Not only with strangers do we find it difficult to hold a conversation, many people seem to find it almost impossible to hold a serious discussion on some subjects even with their most intimate relatives.

I can best illustrate this point with a true short story. During the last Christmas holiday I was invited to the home of some friends for a drink. When we arrived we were surprised to find quite a large gathering. Of the sixteen to twenty people there the only couple we had ever met before were the host and hostess. Conversation was quite lively and it came to light that every person there was an immigrant, and a large part of the discussion was about reasons for coming to New Zealand and what kind of reception the different people had received. One couple had only been in this country for a couple of weeks and said they had not yet made many friends over here and didn't seem to have the opportunity to meet people. This gave me the opening for which I had been looking and I suggested that they do as we had done and told them how we had joined a club within a fortnight of landing.

Yes, that's a good idea, what sort of club did you join? A nudist club.

Laughter all round, I was pulling their legs.

The hostess, who knew of our nudist activities told them that we were not joking, and assured them that we were members of a local nudist club.

One or two people remarked that they had never met a nudist before and one person quickly changed the subject by remarking on the type of weather they had had since they arrived in New Zealand a couple of months before.

After some time had passed one of the ladies present came over and started asking my wife some questions about the sun club activities. Did she feel embarrassed? Were there many young people in the club? What did we do there? etc. I was drawn into the discussion which was held in very low voices so that the rest of the party should not realize what we were talking about. The lady told us that she was a bit of an artist and liked to paint the nude body. She said she could see nothing wrong with nudism and would very much like to try it but because of her teenaged daughter it was out of the question.

Why not bring her along?

Oh dear no, that's out of the question, she would be terribly shocked if we so much as mentioned it to her.

After some further discussion the subject was changed and we drifted around to meet some of the others.

Later on in the evening a very attractive young lady came over to me and started asking me some questions about the club. It had appealed to her, she told us, for some time, but it was impossible for her to join a club because her parents would never approve. She would be thrown out if they knew she even thought of such a thing as nudism.

Why not ask them?

Oh couldn't, they would never understand, they're so Victorian.

Now, this is a classic example of lack of communication. The lady who first approached us was unable to mention it to her teenaged daughter. Now this young lady was unable to talk about nudism with her parents. But, what surprised me most was that later in the evening, when some of the guests were leaving, I found out that the young lady who had been so interested, was the daughter of the first lady who couldn't discuss nudism with her daughter.

If these people can't discuss nudism, what happens when their daughter wants to know about sex, or drugs, or abortion, or any other subject come to that. She can't discuss it with Mum or Dad, who then can she turn to for advice.

it seems hard to believe that in these permissive days nakedness should be a taboo subject yet for this family it certainly was.

Where did they go wrong?

Do you think that the average nudist family has any less of a communication problem than this one? I would like to think so. I would like to think that with the barrier of clothes removed, and having overcome convention to the extent of being able to go naked, but happy, in a crowd of other people, that other topics were easier discussed. Is this so? Is the nudist better adjusted? I believe he is.

I believe television has made a great contribution to this breakdown of communication. How often does Dad refuse to help with the homework because he is watching his favourite programme? What about going to the beach today Dad? What, and miss the match on tele?

Peak viewing time is early evening, by the time television is turned off, all the children are in bed, too late now for those questions the children had to ask.

Parents too have not had much chance to talk and now it is late and Dad has to be up early in the morning.

I'll ask him another time thinks Mum. And so discussion is postponed until the topic which seemed urgent at one time is forgotten altogether.

The point of all this is simple, if we all made a sincere effort to communicate, to get through to other people, accepting their faults and liking them in spite of their shortcomings the world would be a better place. If we could only discuss our differences, instead of ignoring them, they would soon become insignificant.

NORMAN FULLERTON

It is with deep sadness that we record the passing of Norman on 4th February, 1981 after a long illness. Aged 47.

Our sympathy is extended to Helen and Barry in their sad loss.

Norman had been involved in the nudist movement since April 1953 when he first joined the Kaurimu Club. He then transferred to A.O.H.C. in early 1959 where he worked with a nucleus of members in the early development of their Club grounds.

Norman was always at the forefront of activity and spent many years on committee and acted as Club Delegate to the N.Z. Sunbathing Assn. (as it was then) where his expertise was called upon to lay the foundations of the present organisation. He with others was responsible for the early development of the N.Z. Naturist magazine as a general publication available to the public and he was always wi[ling to push the cause of nudism in our community when the need was greatest.

Norman served as President of A.O.H.C. from 30th October, 1960 until 5th May, 1963 during which time development work of the property was vital and recruitment of new members took up much of the time of committee.

During 1960 Norman married Helen and thus developed the quiet efficient team work of Club Management that his club has benefited from during these many years.

Norman was a great conservationist being responsible for the planting of many of the trees, shrubs and Bamboo on their Club property.

We all owe a great debt to Norman and his passing is indeed a sad loss for us all.

PAT TROTT

Patrick Edward Trott aged 43 years died at his home on the 1st May after a long illness.

Of the thousands involved with the nudist movement in New Zealand only a few leave their mark as having created milestones in its growth and development - Pat Trott is one of the privileged few to achieve this status. He was a man of vision, his critics considered he was radical or ahead of his time, but he was right, Mapua Leisure Park is his proof.

Pat was involved with the movement for over a decade playing an active role on the Canterbury Sun Club executive and serving on the NZ Nudist Federation's national executive for five years, including three as the public relations officer. Right to the end he was totally involved, his objective was to change peoples attitudes both from within and outside so as to open up the whole movement. Many current and future members will benefit from the breath of fresh air he breathed behind the high boundary fences around our clubs.

For almost ten years Pat had been looking at Nelson and saying that it would be an ideal place for an optional dress holiday resort. Many problems had to be overcome before Mapua Leisure Park opened its gates to the public and to achieve this Pat was more than a 9 to 5 worker, he lived and breathed the Park. His aim was to put peoples enjoyment ahead of commercial interests and his faith in people to do the right thing if left to use their common sense.

To sum up Pat's philosophy of life we must look at a section of his wedding service that he wrote himself - we recognise and desire that as our love and understanding grows it will encompass others, our family, our friends and seek to reach out to all mankind.

Pat Trott is survived by his wife, four children and one grandchild.

LETTERS
TO THE
EDITOR

Dear Sir,

I would like to congratulate you on the new cover format of the Magazine; it almost obscures the fact that in between the covers it is, as always, stolid and a trifle boring.

I believe Sir, it is no longer sufficient to portray a narrow view of Naturism. I would hope that members of our organisation would wish ideas such as Feminism, physical contact and sexuality, spirituality, alternatives to the nuclear family unit, physical culture and nutrition aired in the Magazine.

As Editor it is important that you examine your own attitudes, to see if you are portraying all facets of Naturism. For example do you consider the sexist bias of the magazine truly reflects our movement? The Magazine has traditionally rarely printed photographs of boys or young men, who, in there own way, are just as attractive as nubile young women. Does this apparent mental block unconsciously reflect some Naturist attitude to youth?

As the Editor of a new look magazine, I suggest you have the opportunity to introduce new philosophies. Why not stimulate unfeathered Kiwis, instead of lulling them into a torpor with silvered platitudes. What, for instance, do other organisations think of Naturism. Naturism has always expected tolerance and understanding from others; can this be expected if the Magazine shows us to be narrow minded.

I personally think the Magazine explores about a third of the possibilities reasonably encompassed by Naturism. With a little imagination, it could occupy a more influential place on the newsagents shelves.

Does the public leafing through the pages of the magazine get the impression that Naturists hide their heads in the sand to get suntanned backsides? Is the Magazine in the front line of a thriving organisation, or the lid on a stagnant anachronism? Is it merely an expensive newsletter, which will never attract sufficient readers to make money for the Organisation?

I feel the Magazine has reached a crossroads, given the opportunities does it move ahead, or mark time.

- Tony Wood

BOOK REVIEW:

"The Nude" by Sir Kenneth Clark

A Pelican Book

This book should appeal to all nudists who have a philosophy based on their recreation and hobby. I must warn you however that it is not an easy book to read for the layman in Art, despite what the 'Spectator" critic has to say on the back cover. The history of painting and sculpture also embodies the history of the nude body and its acceptance or rejection by the masses. Sir Kenneth's work must surely be the definitive one on the subject as he describes the Art movement from Classical Greece right through the Renaissance to moderns like Renoir, Picasso and Toulouse-Lautrec.

The vocabulary is a real hurdle for the average reader although at times it becomes easier to read and flows more smoothly. One realises very soon that we have inherited only fragments of the art of Ancient Greece - the bronze statues have been melted down so we only have marble replicas, often disfigured, of the versions of Venus, Apollo, and other venerated characters. Incidentally, I learned from the author that the last great work of Ancient Greece, the Venus of Milo, was discovered in 1820 and since that time "in popular imagery has held her place as a symbol, or trade mark, of Beauty".

Rubens figures largely in the book, "the unchallenged master of Venus Naturalis". As an artist he studied his predecessors profoundly and took from them ideals of formal completeness but added his own peculiar style and responsiveness to nature. But Sir Kenneth gives us insights into Michelangelo, Raphael, Courbet, Boucher, etc, and their influence on art history right through to the present century but he makes one startling omission, to my mind at any rate viz. W. Russell Flint. This latter artist is one of my favourites and I only suppose the author has neglected to mention him because that artist's portrayal of the nude is rather diaphanous - his females all look the same with physically pleasing, fecund, and sensual bodies. But I have pleasure in looking at them nevertheless.

In summing up may I recommend 'The Nude" as having a place among your reference books; it can be read in small doses, certainly not at one sitting. Chapters can be sorted out and digested as one pleases though a good dictionary is an essential vade-mecum. One can be enriched by this reading as we can compare our nudist credo with advantage, to those of people through history. Our arguments on behalf of our nudist philosophy will be more forceful and authoritative after reading this book - a handmaiden for our cause.

Derek Tollan
(N.S.S. Whangarei)

Dear Editor,

We have just returned from a four month European journey visiting mainly relatives and friends. During our travels we visited two nudist areas which may be of interest to your readers. Wannsee-Bad, Berlin is a council run swimming area situated on the shores of Wannsee. Entry fee to the bath is DM2 ($Aust l.00 approx) one then walks through a well kept garden and lawn to steps leading down to change-rooms, toilet blocks and then onto a promenade which contains take-away cafes, a large restaurant and a section where one can hire strandkorbe (beach sun baskets) or liegestuhle (deck chairs).

The "nackt bader" area takes up one third of the beach, a lattice fence separates the nudist beach from the textile beach, this acts more as a border line as the public have full access to the nudist part. A notice states people remaining in the area are requested to undress.

Our visit to Sweden was in August, during our stay we spent most of our time at a delightful nudist island called Stora ldskar (pronounced 'storerah eedshare"). The island is situated in the archipelago 20km from Stockholm travel is either by bus or car to Skevik ("shay-week") then a walk through the island's lock-up car park onto a jetty. The island boat takes 15 minutes to reach Stora Idskar. Vistors must have an INF passport. Visitors can either pitch a tent or hire a cottage, which is electrically heated. Recreation facilities include a sauna, volleyball, badminton, rowing boats, canoes and their own fishing area. A playground for children.

August 16th a day to remember. Approximtely 50 to 60 nudists, dressed for the occasion because of the cool breeze, attended the traditional Swedish crayfish and shrimp festivities which are held each year after August 14th.

Everyone was seated at a long table, situated outside, which contained all the necessary food and drink. Speeches were made, traditional toasts which included one for the lady who donated the island to the club in 1948, some people can be so lucky. Swedish songs and a dance in the club room finished off a most enjoyable event.

We shall long remember the friendly atmosphere, the delightful twilight evenings with only the sound of the water slapping the rocks, the small and large ships making their way through the many islands in this archipelago. We are told that a large tourist ship went aground on a nearby island, was the captain looking in a different direction? Finally our friendly light plane pilot who responded to our waving, much to our delight.

When in Sweden we thoroughly recommend a visit to Stor ldskar, contact address is: Secretary, Naturistforeningen, Box 444, S-101 26 Stockholm 1.

Keith A. Wedd

Since Bangalee's visit last summer by a group of Skydivers, we have formed Australia's first Nudist Skydiving Club - 'Bangalee Nudist Skydivers'.

This was made possible by proprietors Frank Read, Mike Loughhead and Bob Hooker who gave us free use of their airstrip and club grounds and assisted in every possible way. Frank and Bob even went so far as to take up jumping themselves.

To get things off the ground we held our first competition on 23rd and 24th of December, 1980, an all nude accuracy competition which turned out to be an enormous success. Fifteen male and female jumpers arrived to compete for a total of $400,00 prize-money, others came for fun jumps and the social aspect.

Media coverage both before and during the event was tremendous. Two national T.V. stations flew in film crews on the day and allowed jumpers the use of their twin engine aircraft for air to air filming.

The effects of the publicity were noticeable at Bangalee over the Christmas holiday period by the number of new faces to arrive, many of whom became Bangalee members.

The competition was officiated by none other than Claude Gillard, President of the Australian Parachute Federation and judged by two of the A.P.F.'s most attractive judges, Helen Grant and jeanette Dillinger., The aim was to land on a disc 10cm in diameter in the centre of a sand pit. Incidentally, the pit was only about 3 metres in diameter instead of the standard 10 metres due to a break-down of the notorious Bangalee tip-truck. Jumpers were inclined to concentrate a little harder to avoid scraping their rear suspension on the not so soft ground surrounding the pit. Approximately 100 jumps were made over the two days with the clear winner being Peter Nobbs from Queensland. His total distance from "Dead Centre" over five jumps was 1cm. Not so close second was myself at 69cm, followed by Ian. Kath from Queensland. Winner in the ladies section was Robyn Warne from Alice Springs.

The competition finished Christmas Eve with a clothed demonstration jump into Tocumwal for the townspeople; many of whom sponsored the event, followed by a presentation and party back at Bangalee.

ROTORUA SUN CLUB

Hello there from us at the "Valley".

Quite a successful - although somewhat dampened summer programme has been enthusiastically followed by most members.

Although our first open weekend was practically a washout, a following open day provided beautiful sunshine. Both proved quite successful.

Our annual children's xmas party turned out just as enjoyable as always with the adults having as much fun as the kids.

A weekend held at Te Puke was well attended with beautiful weather to help things along. The Free Beach at Papamoa was enthusiastically visited both days. Even a sudden shower didn't dampen spirits. The Secretary's grape vines proved a great attraction, being somewhat depleted following the weekend. Hopefully the weather will be as kind for our proposed day trip to Crystal Springs, Matamata - which provides a delightful clothing optional area with hot pool and picnic area.

Many thanks to the Taranaki Club for a wonderful Rally. Wonder if the unmentionable Rotonaki Trophy has been mounted as yet.

WANGANUI SUN CLUB

The end of a lovely summer is finally here, but Wanganui Sun Club intends to continue meeting with regular saunas and winter games of miniten. At the time of writing we are trying to hire a school hall on a regular basis. By marking out courts with tape we will be able to keep up our practice ready for the summer season.

Our 30th birthday party was a most enjoyable occasion. We were delighted to have visitors from four other Clubs also Pat and Kathy from Mapua. Our Patron and only life member Wally Brook cut the cake and was delighted to do so. Unfortunately he met with a tragic death just two weeks later. We were saddened to learn of this and he is missed from our club.

We have access to a comfortable lodge on Mt. Ruapehu which we are hiring for the second time shortly. Members will get a chance for a completely different type of weekend together. We hope for fine weather this time so those that wish can enjoy the many walks in the mountains area.

A word of warning to other clubs that have trampolines with plastic type mats. Beware of falling ash from rubbish fires or cigarettes. Our trampoline has suffered damage due to ash from fires quite some distance away, so beware.

THE THREE BEARS

Things have been moving pretty well the past 12 months with lots happening. Stage one of our club house was started and completed, power was extended to the back of the property, also bitumen was added to the surface of the miniten court. Before the bitumen went down the court had fencing on three sides. To complete it we fenced the other side.

We have been having at least one social within the club house since it was erected and it is also very popular on Sundays with adults getting out of the midday sun. The children do quite a bit of roller skating. Darts and table tennis are very popular as well. Some very welcome aid arrived before Easter and our grassed area looks really nice and if all goes to plan this grass will be extended before the spring.

Over 60 Bears travelled North to the 3rd N.A.Q. Rally hosted by Pacific Sun on their grounds just north of Brisbane.

The weather was excellent as well as everything else, the grounds are lovely and most games required some effort and some games required much effort.

We were all very pleased to see the Bears take home the following trophies. Boys Junior Miniten, Mixed Junior Miniten, Junior Petanque, and yes the junior Club of the Year Trophy as well. The volley ball team and supporters brought home the Volley Ball Trophy as well. To win the trophy we had to play 17 games and win 15 of them. All in all a most enjoyable weekend.

NORTHERN SUNSEEKERS

At a recent Special General Meeting of our members a discussion was held on the possible winding up of the Club. It was concluded by a majority vote that we should continue at least for another season. Somehow we are just not able to recruit new members and despite all t,he publicity given, there has been no public response. It was felt that the new look of our "New Zealand Naturist" might awaken public enthusiasm, so we are looking forward to better things.

We seem to be losing our Presidents these days also; George and his wife Joan have resigned and most recently our current President Trevor (and wife Carole) has tendered his resignation. We can ill-afford to lose members with their experience and long service to the Club. Come on Northland and get out in the sunshine with us and enjoy the benefits and camaraderie which nudism can offer.

GISBORNE SUN CLUB INC.

What's in a name? Gisborne Sun Club, Mecca Nudist Club. Do you, living in and around Gisborne really know what we have at Mecca? If you are the "Sunday picnic" lover, if you like shady trees and a relaxing atmosphere this is the place to go.

There is a barbeque handy to the kitchen where you can make your fresh cup of tea (no need to take a thermos). The children can swing, see-saw, play sand castles, swing-ball, swim or any of the usual games they like to play. They even have a real tree to climb!

For the energetic, the one who wants exercise or to keep fit there are the courts - mini-tennis (miniten we call it), volley-ball, tenikoits, the swimming pool, table tennis, and for the not so energetic we have planned an indoor sized outdoor bowling rink. For the winter months the miniten and tenikoit courts can be used as they are concrete and of course table tennis can be played in the club house. For the cooler evenings there is nothing nicer than to relax in our hot-tub after an exhausting day in the office.

Now you know, you can have all this and you do not HAVE to take off your clothes. All you need to have is an acceptance of the fact that there are people there who prefer not to wear clothes and who cannot enjoy the type of things we have to offer at Mecca in their own home environment.

AUCKLAND SUN CLUB

What a terrific summer we have had, nearly every weekend with brilliant sunshine. The grounds are gradually coming back to normal after the bulldozing of piles of mud and clay. The club house is nearly ready for the use of the members, but it will be sometime before the official opening. The hard work is now behind us and it is all downhill from now on. We had two very nice days playing host to Auckland Outdoor Health Club and the Free Beach Group. These interclub days are of tremendous value fostering goodwill and friendship.

The Auckland Sun Club welcomes back the magazine, we hope that it goes from strength to strength promoting our way of life.

SOUTH AUCKLAND NUDIST CLUB

Trouble has already struck our club grounds with early rain, we have been flooded out again the club house suffered a little damage. Part of our fence has fallen down and we have also lost a few trees. Let's hope there's nothing worse to follow. With winter only just beginning we hope it will be kind to us.

Although the council put a ban on us camping for our mini club rally we went ahead and held a B.B.Q. and social. Our lamb on the spit was done to a tee. At one stage we thought we would have to cook it in the embers as the spit collapsed under the weight. But all ended well with the help of many unqualified experts.

At this stage we are negotiating with the council on the issue of casual camping. So hopefully this summer there will be legal camping on our own property. We would like to thank all members from other clubs and our own for supporting functions held during the summer months. And hope for continuous support from our club members through the winter months.

Our A.G.M. will be held at the end of May to appoint a new committee.

Re: the pool of last edition thanks go to the editor for the excellent coverage. We are pleased to report our pool is now completed and a great asset to our club.

AUCKLAND OUTDOOR HEALTH CLUB INC.

Greetings once again to all readers of the N.Z. Naturist. As this is our first report, we can say without any hesitation that 1981 to date has been a real boomer. Excellent balmy Indian Summer conditions during April helped in running the various sporting occasions. Several cups that were won at the National Rally now stand in our fine Trophy case.

Our social scene over recent months has been a lively one too with the various functions being well patronised. An improvement for these activities was the construction of a large B.B.Q. adjacent to the Club house which has proved quite popular for all members.

There were a number of overseas visitors who called in at "Oranui". They came from the U.K., U.S.A., France, Netherlands and Australia.

Inquiries re membership are welcome in this direction as the club grounds are open all year round. Now that winter is almost upon us we shall be looking forward to Sauna evenings and visits to the Thermal Pools and of course some roaring fires in the club house. These are just some of the activities which keep our membership in circulation.

On Saturday 3rd of January, 1981, Mr McG. arrived in his Gypsy about 8.30a.m. and went down number three gully to begin cutting down our radiata pine trees. We noticed at morning tea time that, from the pool we could see some of the trees were cut down. So our parents bought us some jelly beans and jaffas and we set off with Lyn, Graham, Ray and Lucille and Anna and Abbie, and we went to watch Mr McG. cut the trees down with his big chain saw. He uses his little one for the branches. When the trees fell we yelled, "Timber." His dog Troy was barking. Graham took some photos and talked and talked and talked. We got hot and hungry and sick of yelling "Timber!" We sung some songs and the men heard us. We came back at lunchtime about 1 p.m. About 2 p.m. we heard the bulldozer bringing the logs up. He had to stop by Stan C's batch because he had a diesel blockage, so we all went to look. The bulldozer weighs 15 tons and is a D.5. It has a 100h.p. motor and takes 75 gallons of diesel which lasts 1½ or 2 days. The winch pulls 30 tons and the wire rope is about 50 yds long. We saw and felt the logs and measured the logs at 38 steps.

The trees are 21 years old and the rope broke the bark and the cambium layers of the trees. Sometimes the bulldozer got stuck, so he had to pull the logs with the winch. He made tracks so it was easier to get the logs up the hill. The last hill has a grade of one in three and he had to winch the logs up three times. When he got to the top he undid the wire rope by banging the slip block and making the bulldozer pull the rope out. He pushed the logs down to get the rope out, and to make them lay flat on the ground. He pushed the barbery bushes out of the ground on the way back and also make the road better, ready for the next load of logs. We could hear the rope making torque noises. He dragged the steel loops back down the hill to save taking it off. He cut the logs into twenty foot long lengths and took them to the mill on a logging truck to make them into building boards.

Written by: Anita, Celeste & Edwin Cheetham; Christopher, Derek & Malcolm Budgen; Alan & Shana Hayman.
Waikato Sun Club

Further suitable stories from our younger readers will be most welcome.

This year 1981 almost witnessed the establishment of New Zealand's first legal Free Beach. The Manukau City Council debated whether or not to bestow "Official Status" on a small beach near Kawakawa Bay, which is about 20 miles east of Auckland, almost on the Firth of Thames. This delightful spot, known to the locals as Dynamite Bay, would have been perfect for our purpose and it even has the benefit of that catchy title. We were fortunate in finding a sympathetic group of councillors who believed the time had come to give a lead to others. We were not so fortunate in that all the tired old arguments against nudity in public were bought out of retirement, and dusted off and used against us. As extracts from a letter to the Manukau City Council by a group calling itself the Family Rights Association shows.

[1] "We hold that all New Zealanders have the democratic right of access to any public land, and it is not within the competence of the Manukau City Council to grant special rights to private groups, which would in effect restrict the right of access for the majority."

[2] "We cannot see why nudists should be given such preferential treatment, and any defence on the grounds of remoteness or inaccessibility of such areas cannot stand."

[3] "While the human body has an inherent beauty, the exposure en masse of people of all ages and contours diminishes rather than increases any aesthetic appeal."

[4] "Nudity is not of any significant benefit to health," the letter continues, "In fact, it increases certain health hazards, but such considerations need not concern the Manukau City Council."

[5] "Such exposure is just one more example of the vulgarity of taste of modern society. I gather that the Manukau City Council has some aspirations to fostering the aesthetic life of the city; it would be a pity if they at the same time fostered any vulgarisation of public taste."

[6] "Nudists claim to be so innocent of these implications that it often seems necessary to remind them of certain facts about sexuality that are immediately obvious to anyone of ordinary commonsense."

[7] "They have to have pointed out to them that the sexual instinct is an interesting human endowment which responds to stimuli through the five senses and the imagination."

[8] "If they claim to unaware of this, that very fact throws serious doubts on their sexual responsiveness, and in the male, this may have important implications in marital relations."

[9] "In actual fact, it is doubtful if nudists are as sexually unresponsive as they claim."

[10] "The norm for behaviour in this area is a certain standard of decent modesty and respect for the feeling of others."

[11] "Children have an instinctive feeling for this mode of living. Some of our children have been shocked to encounter nudists on beaches."

[12] "Through pornography, we have become a nation of voyeurs. This trend would be accelerated if there was official approval of mass nudity."

[13] "It would be naive in the extreme for our civic leaders to believe that there would be no sexual repercussions in the expansion of nudism."

[14] "If it were to give its approval to the application of the nudists, this would prove a precedent which would be copied throughout the country. It must then accept the responsibility for any consequences of its decision."

[15] "It is obvious to any person with perception that we live in a sexually obsessed society and that the nudist movement must be seen as one facet of this general deterioration."

[16] "As family people, we can see the dangers of this to ourselves and our children."

This meant that the voting in full council was unfavourable to us but I do know that we have retained the support of a liberal and progressive group inside the Manukau City Council and to them we are grateful.

Elsewhere there is little outstanding to report, but there is much evidence to support the theory that New Zealanders are not terribly concerned over what they see as the non-issue of Free Beaches. If it happens, so this theory goes, it happens and if not, well, so what The average apathetic Kiwi takes what comes along and does his thing his way. We feel that the more liberal times in which we live are having a more profound effect upon peoples clothing habits while at the beach than would for instance, organised marches or demonstrations complete with banners and slogans up and down the main street in the towns and cities, even if we could organise them.

The outlook for the future as we see it remains as optimistic as ever and devotees of nudity, and even more importantly, the yet to be converted potential nudists, have much to enjoy in this land of clean air, clean beaches and clean living.

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.97 June 1981

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 38065.

Howick.

Distributed by:

Gordon and Gotch (NZ) Ltd

(Top)

AUSTRALIAN 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 1359. Wellington.
NEW ZEALAND

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

PHOTO CREDITS

Fritz Prenzel

   Front and Back Cover and Centre Spread

Doug Cousins

   Inside Front and Back Covers -

   Pages 7, 18

Derek Tollan

   Page 4

Dick Hall

   Page 14, 15

Peter Craven

   Page 1, 2, 6, 9, 12

STATE ASSOCIATIONS:

Nudist Association of Victoria,*

P.O. Box 44
Balaclava Vic. 3183

Nudist Association of Queensland,*

P.O. Box 101.
Woodridge QId 4114.

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

DEADLINES FOR COPY

98 September 1981 - 15th July

99 December 1981 - 1st October

100 March 1982 - 30th January

101 June 1982 - 20th April