# 139 - December 1991 

You

can't

do

that,

there

are

children

here!

We've all heard this rationale for any number of things that can't be done. Whether it concerns adult movies, music lyrics, literature, or exposure (of too much of the body), there always seems to be some protector who will object that it's harmful to the children.

Granted, our larvae take longer to mature than most other species, but are they really that delicate? Actually, worldwide it appears that not all children require such sheltering from adult activities, and most of the child protectors seem to be Americans with a very narrow view of propriety. Again we have to go back to our Puritan forebears, but that should be history by now. Why can't the protectors of decency just wake up to the real world, and see that they have the problem not the kids?

I write from my own experience, being the only one I know for sure, but I suspect at least a couple of cousins of mine who played "Doctor" with me at a prepubescent age were also inquisitive of those secret hidden things. I like to boast that I'm ten percent of the adult population that historically has deviated from the norm, and I feel this rebellion goes back to my childhood, but it's still hard to believe that so few children would be curious and exploring. Doesn't every child play "Doctor"?

Remember the first time? Whether it was your first Twinkie or your first intimate moment with another, it's always more intense than the same experience repeated. Four decades later I can still remember the fun of exploring my hairless female cousin, but we didn't play that exciting game for long because we'd already done it before. With familiarity the excitement faded. Such is the short attention span of children (and adults).

Maybe I'm digging myself into a hole here. Had someone protected me from playing with my cousin's private parts in the 50s I wouldn't be in that ten percent of deviants today. But, the trouble with us deviants is that we think we're all right and that it's the normal ninety percent who should lighten up.

Is it possible that children are resilient after all, and can survive those things that the protectors fear? In 1986 there was a debate whether to allow women to sunbathe top-free on Miami Beach. The protectors protested that it would harm the children. Strange that it didn't seem to harm the children of Brazil or Northern Europe, where top-free beaches were the norm at the time.

Now, though still illegal, top-free sunbathing for women is the de facto norm on Miami Beach, due largely to those same European tourists, and the protectors have been proven to be really wrong.

Not that their error will ever sink in. I recently rented an apartment on Miami Beach, just four blocks from the aforementioned top-free beach. My apartment overlooks the swimming pool, and I asked the manager "what's the skimpiest bathing suit allowed?"

Thinking in bikini terms, she at first said she didn't care what I wore, but when she found out I use a G-string, she changed that to say she couldn't allow it because there were children who used the pool. Perhaps I should have argued with her that all children, both male and female have a butt, so seeing mine shouldn't be such a shock. but I knew she would have just gotten annoyed by the facts. So, to get a tan without a bathing suit pattern, I have to leave a comfortable sun deck with lounge chairs outside my door and walk four blocks to a public beach.

Lying on the beach in my G-string, surrounded by a number of women and men wearing the same next-to-nothing attire, you can watch the occasional normal family group set up camp in the sand.

Dad might take a furtive look around until Mom looks at him and brings him back to reality; but the kids: they see the ocean. I've watched them run past a beach full of exposed breasts and buttocks, oblivious to all in their dash to the surf.

I once saw a woman protector lambasting a father for taking his three-year-old daughter into the men's room. I don't know if it was the child or him who had to relieve himself, but what's a guy to do in this situation?

She was worried that the girl would see a penis and be traumatized. She boldly came to the child's protection, never considering... that the girl might have already seen a "what's that Daddy?" and adjusted to it.

Nudist children never needed to be protected
from seeing naked body parts, so why is it such
a dreaded prospect for any other child?

So much for harming young psyches.

Unfortunately, the protectors are reactionary and don't respond well to facts, otherwise they would have seen how naturally children accept the body in nudist families. It's all been documented for years, including the teenage modesty (self-conscious) phenomenon. Nudist children never needed to be protected from seeing naked body parts, so why is it such a dreaded prospect for any other child?

The problem is the adults who've never come to grips with nature.

His alternatives would have been to take her to the ladies' room if it were just for her needs, but he could have been arrested or attacked. He could have let some female stranger take his daughter into the ladies' room or watch her while he went in the men's room, but is it safe to trust strangers? He could have let her relieve herself at the curb, but what about his? Seems he did the most logical thing after all.

Now, I'm sure the protector attacking him wasn't concerned that the men in the rest room would be embarrassed by a little girl in their midst.

In her zeal to protect the child, it also never occurred to the woman the impact her public scene was having on the child. The father, in defence, rightfully told her what to do with her own private parts.

This is just one illustration to show that fear of the naked body is learned like any other prejudice. Children who live with sex-negative adults will assimilate those same behaviours, unless they rebel, are taught otherwise, or logically deduce that nudity is only natural, as many of us have done. Likewise, children who's parents are comfortable with mixed-gender nudity, or even neutral but don't react negatively to nude situations, will often take little notice of nude people in their midst.

Too bad he couldn't have told her that it was all right, it was just a naked man.

Left to their own devices, children seem capable of observing and exploring their environment, surviving unharmed after encountering the opposite sex nude. They may be curious as to the differences they see, and if not oppressed will ask "What's that?"

It's only natural, and adults should concern themselves with explaining these differences rather than protecting the child from them. There have been enough healthy children raised in nudist environments to establish these facts.

... aside from looking at me when I first got on
the model stand, the kids soon lost interest and
went about playing by themselves.

On a couple of occasions, while modelling for weekend art classes, I've encountered artists who brought their small children along. I didn't know if the girls were from nudist families or if the mothers were just very liberal artists, but aside from looking at me when I first got on the model stand, the kids soon lost interest and went about playing by themselves.

During one of these classes, a young woman with a child came into pick up one of the artists, unaware that I was still posing. When she saw me, she was obviously embarrassed and left quickly with the kid, who didn't seem to understand why mama was so upset.

Also, the latest knowledge on sexuality and child development by non-nudist authorities suggest that if parents are comfortable being nude in the home, such as when bathing or dressing, they shouldn't try to hide themselves from their children.

These facts unfortunately, seem to be known only by a small educated elite, though they are readily available from many different sources. It all comes back to the acceptance of Dark Ages mythology over rational study and thought, to a denial that children are not only sexually inquisitive but often more sexually aware than their parents acknowledge. And it comes down to the real problem of child protection, which is the ignorance of the self-appointed protectors.

Photo: ?

In the early 70's a man was arrested and convicted for sunbathing nude at little Palm Beach, Waiheke Island, under legislation dating from the 1920's. He subsequently appealed and the conviction was overturned.

In 1981 the Summary Offences Act replaced the older law, and interpreting this Act with the court ruling in the Palm Beach case in mind, the Free Beach Group saw no threat. In fact, the feeling was that it protected our "rights". Now at last, as disclosed in the following account, a legal ruling has vindicated our position.

The person concerned is not a member of the Free Beach Group, and on the face of it did not observe the FBG recommendation of giving due consideration to others at all times. He felt he had a right to be where he was, and to do as he did, and the High Court has confirmed that he was correct. In exercising these rights he incurred considerable trouble and he is to be commended for standing up for his rights.

The judgement protects the right to sunbathe nude in places "where it is not uncommon for persons to sunbathe nude". The number of these places grows year by year, simply by usage. How do you convert a place into "such a place"? Bearing in mind the guidelines of courtesy and consideration, start slowly, low key, during the week and in quiet periods, and in no time a track record of nude bathing is established. You now have "a place" and your rights are protected by law.

Recent decisions in the North Shore District Court and the Auckland High Court confirm the legality of all New Zealand free beaches, and in fact all public places where simple nakedness (as opposed to obscene exposure) is not uncommon.

In late 1990 a naturist chose to share a North Shore beach with a party of 110 children and three teachers from a local primary school. He was arrested by the police and charged under both section 27 (Indecent Exposure) and section 4/1a (Offensive Behaviour) of the Summary Offences Act 1981.

New Zealand 'FREE'
Beaches Proven Legally Free

The District Court judge dismissed the charge of indecent exposure against the man, saying that he would have felt most uncomfortable about convicting someone who had strong naturist beliefs. However he did convict him of offensive behaviour, but imposed no penalty either direct or indirect. That conviction was subsequently thrown out by the High Court.

The High Court appeal relied on the difference between the everyday meaning of 'offensive behaviour', and its legal meaning, which has a great deal more force, and which the judge ruled means conduct that 'arouses feelings of anger, disgust, or outrage'.

In his summing up His Honour said that he had 'little doubt that in this day and age and in that place - a place where it was not uncommon for persons to sunbathe in the nude - adults on the beach would not be offended, and in the more restricted meaning of that word as used in Section 4, by the appearance of the appellant, naked'.

His Honour then went on to say that the real issue was whether the presence of children made the behaviour offensive, but he had reached the conclusion that the average person would react as the teachers had done.

One teacher had said that she was 'quite' offended; another that she had no strong objection to someone sunbathing nude, although she did not feel that it was necessary for the man to be in the same proximity, and thought his action was 'silly' and 'bizarre'

'That reaction'. His Honour said, 'falls somewhat short of the reaction required to be established beyond reasonable doubt, in order to amount to offensive behaviour sufficient to justify the interference of criminal law. It follows therefore that the appeal must be allowed and the conviction quashed'.

The police can no longer claim, as they have done in the past, that the law on nakedness in public, according to the relevant sections of Summary Offences Act, is a 'grey area'. It is now, very firmly, in black-and-white. A person doing ordinary things, such as sunbathing, swimming or walking, in a public place where nakedness is not uncommon, is not breaking the law, and the police have no right to interfere. The courts have now made it clear that the law differentiates between nakedness of a naturist and the exposure of a pervert.

The extreme nature of the circumstances establishes unequivocally the clarity of the court's ruling: it was a small, inner-city beach; the naked and the clothed were obliged to be only ten metres apart; there was only one naked person among 113 clothed people; and the naked person arrived last, being naked upon arrival.

But the High Court determined that there was no violation of the law, and indeed, that the action fell 'somewhat short' of even the mildest breach. We may conclude that any actions that fall even further short of breaching the law are totally within the law

So New Zealand sun-lovers and nudists, get to it! Get out today and get your gear off. The sun might not shine tomorrow!

Tony Wilson

Free Beach

Group (inc).

Photo: Graham Macgregor

Opening

November

1991

The idea of starting North Island's first Clothes Optional Resort and Camping Ground was something that was not planned initially. My wife Pauline and I quite accidentally came across Nelson's Mapua Resort while travelling around the South Island last August.

While we were just about the only visitors at the complex at the time, it came to light that this wasn't any normal resort - imagine my surprise when I came across the communal showers.

In January, we decided to fly back to Mapua for a week - neither of us admitting what was in the back of our minds. Five of the seven days at Nelson was either overcast or wet but it did give us time to get the feel of the complex and the relaxed and friendly attitude of the campers at Mapua.

The mixture of spa pool, sauna and swimming pool was nothing short of exhilarating and we soon relaxed in the presence of about 30 other naked people of all ages. We were hooked, this was what we wanted at home.

The changeover of our own camping ground to clothes optional was a lot easier than we expected.

For five years we had been running white water rafting - horse treks and were slowly establishing the camping ground set up, along with running our sheep and cat- tie station.

At Christmas some of our campers very kindly burned our first lodge down. We vowed the new set up would be completely different.

A complex complete with accommodation units, large kitchen, dining room, lounge with bar facilities, recreation room, communal showers, spa sauna, swimming pool. An area where if the weather packed up everyone could get together in one place comfortably. Three of our buildings are nearly complete with an extra set of toilets and showers yet to be built.

The official opening will be mid November even though groups are already using the complex.

Our Adventure Activities, White Water Rafting and High Country Horse Treks will continue to be run and the activities expanded as time goes on.

Riverland Hideaway Resort - is set in a 20 hectare river valley with forestry on one side and the Mohaka River the other, it's a beautiful area with a number of native trees but also a fair bit of blackberry to be cleaned up in preparation for landscaping this summer.

Pauline and I will be joining the Hawkes Bay Sun Club and looking forward to the summer and heaps of sunshine - something Hawkes Bay has plenty of. We hope to see many Club members from around the country and any support we can get from members would be greatly appreciated. Perhaps a rally could be organised here in the near future.

Bruce and Pauline McVicar

For Pauline and I shedding our clothes in public was a completely new experience but we soon got into the swing of things. Following sunbathing for about 1 hour (before the sun disappeared again) we joined a gathering at the swimming pool and spa in the evening.

Our old lodge had our accommodation units, kitchen and ablutions all together. As my family were house removal contractors, it wasn't hard to find a few buildings that had potential and move them here. The hard part was renovating and turning each building into our ideas of what was needed.

The Spooky Ruins
of Teylingen

Robbert Broekstra

Jacoba van Beieren was countess of the provinces of Holland, Zeeland and Henegouwen, however a couple of years before her death, her cousin Philip the Good took all her possessions. The young countess Jacoba had pulmonary sickness and was also addicted to wine. She was drinking the wine out of small cans, and when she had emptied one, would throw the cans (stone bottles), into the canal. Well known are the jacoba cans which were imported from Germany during that time.

Jacoba van Beieren was the daughter of Count Willem VI of Holland, Zeeland and Henegouwen. On her 14th birthday Jacoba got married to the crown prince of France and during her 15th year she became a widow. When her father died she was 16.

Long periods of war followed and Jacoba, good looking, proud and hard-hearted tried to remain strong during a power struggle between several uncles.

Some years later Jacoba married the exhibitor Frank van Borsselen of the provinces of Holland and Zeeland.

She was forced to give up all her rights with a letter stating that as a weak women she was not able any longer to rule, and out of love for Filips, she gave him complete powers to rule over the provinces.

Her rich nephew could not let his cousin go just like that. He made sure she had enough money and installed her as forester at the castle.

The castle Teylingen is a good example of a middle age castle with a donjon. A donjon is a high tower with living quarters, and difficult to reach by the enemy.

For centuries several governors lived there, but after Jacoba's death in 1436, the building deteriorated and little was done to keep it in good state. During the war of 1572-1575 little remained of the castle but a ruin.

In 1614 they started to restore the castle, but in 1676 a fire broke out in the living tower. Since this time stories did the rounds that spooks, ghosts and phantoms roamed around at night, and so it became a ruin once again.

In 1889 the remaining parts of Teylingen were sold to the state and an agreement was made that the walls would remain standing with a little reconstruction here and there, and so this is what is left of Teylingen today.

The first night we put up our tent at a private camping ground near Ardres. It was clean and orderly but had no cooking facilities whosoever. In the warm twilight evening we sat on the ground eating an outdoor meal of French bread, cheese and a tin of sardines. Nothing ever tasted better. The next morning, an English family in a camper-van invited us for coffee, and gave us valuable hints for survival in France, such as carrying one's own gaz stove, not expecting to find shops open between mid-day and three p.m., where to get cheap chilly-bags etc. They said they were very envious of us just setting out towards the south, as they were on their way home.

The weather had been frightfully hot during July-August, and the camping grounds overflowing. September proved ideal for us, a month of "mellow fruitfulness". Travelling through acres of vineyards or orchards reaching right up to the roadside, we could stop for a moment to grab handfuls of grapes or apples. In country lanes we picked wild blackberries to have later for pudding. Do I digress...?

We found no convenient sun clubs en route until south of Chartres. Travelling towards the valley of the Loire, we searched through country roads for "Claircité" (City of Light), a small members' club near Blois. We slowed down to study the INF diagram. A young man on a bike went out of his way to offer us help... "Ah, Claircite, oui oui.. You see that clump of trees over there on the other side? ca, c'est Claircité." I must interrupt the narrative here to say that we found the French almost invariably most helpful and polite. We were forewarned or advised always be polite, to preface our request with "S'il vous plait, madame/monsieur" and to SPEAK FRENCH; so that is what we did and it worked well. Apart from the odd "old bat" - usually found behind the counter in a small establishment such as a country Post Office - we found everywhere the greatest enjoyment and encouragement in all our attempts to communicate with the French.

The four hectare grounds of Claircité consist mostly of woodland and natural surroundings.

Thirty-five minutes on the hover-craft was all it took from Dover to Calais. We sat on the front seats in order to get a good view but all we could see was the sea spray blasting onto the windows as the craft skimmed across the surface. After several minor delays we were really hungry and thirsty, but everything at the terminal seemed so expensive that we finished up sharing a bottle of water, cost 7 french francs! ($2.20). It helps a lot to have a companion when travelling; at least one can look after the luggage while the other goes to make enquiries. For a stranger in a strange land there is a lot of enquiring to be done. The rental car was at the wrong terminal, but when we got it, it was was worth waiting for, a brand new Renault Clio (European Car of the Year 1990). I was navigator. It was odd to find the passenger seat on the right hand side. The time was later than we thought. Our watch said 4.30pm but horrors! it was already 5.30 in France, not British summer time.

For a self-drive holiday in France, a Michelin Atlas Routier is essential. We didn't have one.

We could have bought one in England but aiming to travel light until we picked up the car at Calais, fully expected to find all maps available there. Admittedly the season was drawing to a close as it was nearly the end of August. European workers were returning from their summer holidays, while we were starting out on ours. We set off nervously, driving on the right of the road, bravely circumnavigating roundabouts in an anti-clockwise direction, forced to keep up with rush hour traffic whilst trying to find our way out of a strange city. As the sun was sinking slowly in the west, we gauged our direction south. So began our five-week adventure.

We aimed to experience as many naturist clubs and resorts as possible within the framework of an exploration of Medieval towns and cathedrals throughout France. Our rate of progress was unpredictable and it was out of season, so we made no advance bookings. We had the INF handbook, INF passports plus a letter of recommendation from our Canterbury Sun Club secretary, which stood us in good stead, as will later be revealed.

We were lucky to get access. The 6ft. high wooden gates operated on a combination lock and we arrived just as someone was going out. An elderly eccentric named Louis was acting as proprietor and was happy to let us have one small bungalow at a total cost of 146Ff ($49) for the last two nights of August. We were just in time, said Louis, as the season was over and he would be leaving the grounds within a week. The evening was very peaceful.

We explored the grounds and the clubhouse and tried out the pool and showers. The soap by the washbasin as shaped like a large sausage roll with a hefty piece of wire through the centre attached to the wall - economical and cannot go astray! The French are very practical people. Their showers are operated by a push-button or pull-string device whereby the water stops if you leave go. It helps to be able to shower with a friend, otherwise you have to wash your hair with one hand whilst keeping the water going with the other. It's an effective water-saving device, used throughout France, they said, because of "la sécheresse" (drought).

The club house had table tennis, a fridge-freezer, but no cooking facilities. A set of club rules was pinned to the notice-board. I jotted down some of these:

* Do not annoy others.

* Avoid discussion of religion, politics, or any topic which might cause ill-feeling.

* No playing games for money.

* No alcohol; no smoking in public.

* If, due to weather conditions, it is necessary to wear clothes, these must be appropriate, viz. *sportif *.

* Show respect for the more aged.

* Maintain a pleasant atmosphere on the club grounds.

This last rule struck me as being fundamental. If only we could keep it, maybe we could keep our members!

The next day, a Friday, a few members turned up. Their attitude towards us was very friendly and encouraging; they were keen to instruct us in the game of pétanque (boules). Their specially laid out pitch occupies a central position in the club (as in most French naturists clubs). A chap called Guy explained to us that they have regional inter-club contests and that Claircité are the champions. Guy led us along with exclamations of encouragement and let us think we were doing rather well until near the end of the game when he annihilated us with a dynamic display of choice bombing techniques.

In the rural districts and outer city areas of France, boules is THE sport of the ordinary people. In the shade of the plane trees by the river at Moissac where we parked our car, there were no less than seven games in progress. Old retired people, working men and women on their lunch hours and young children; all were participating and spectating with vociferous gusto.

Leaving Claircité on the Saturday morning, we travelled via the Loire Valley in order to view some of the spectacular chateaux along the way. From Chenonceaux, heading in a south-westerly direction, we located a naturist club near Poitiers. We stood outside ringing the bell and peering through a hole in the wooden gate wondering whether anyone was in residence. Yes, a pleasant young man accompanied by a little boy on a bicycle, approached and let us in. Yes, he said; for a charge of 50 francs per night, we could pitch our tent anywhere on the grounds. This club, "Bois de la Pardiére" had been cut out of 10 hectares of oak forest, of which large areas remained unspoiled. Pleasant winding paths through dappled shade branched off in all directions. On the nearside was a clubhouse with members' kitchen, cookers and fridges, tables and chairs for eating both indoors and out; also a bunkhouse, ablutions, showers and toilets, a large swimming pool and a volleyball court which was used mainly for pétanque. At the farthest end of the woodlands, they said, is a retreat set aside for those who want silence and seclusion.

This was our favourite club in France, as it seemed to be truly in keeping with the INF definition of naturism, "a way of life in harmony with nature."

The days were fine and sunny, but the still air at night was chilly. Lying awake in the tent, I listened to the sounds of wild animal night life in the surrounding woods.

More members turned up on Sunday morning, greeting each other effusively with ritual kissing on the cheeks...left! right! left! right... four times, or even six times for very special friends.

Cheers, oaths and voices raised in good-natured altercation rang out from the nearby volleyball court where games of boules were in progress, while the honking of a motor-horn announced the arrival on the grounds of the mobile boulangerie; newly baked bread fresh from the oven is a basic essential of French daily life.

A man wearing nothing but a pair of gumboots was cutting the long grass with a scythe. "Motor mowers on the grounds?" Hands were held up in horror; "Eh! Jamais! That would be entirely inappropriate!"

Mounted on the wall inside the clubhouse was a comprehensive display of pressed plants and flowers to be found in the area, with botanical details plus common name, habitat and where found; all carefully arranged and protected by a layer of contact plastic.

On adjacent walls were children's drawings on the subject of pollution. This, we were told, had been an inter-club competition to raise children's awareness of current threats to the natural world.

We went into the kitchen to prepare a meal and were welcomed at once by a smiling face and a warm greeting. "Bienvenue! Je suis Mariette, secrétaire sociale." Undeterred by our halting French, the unforgettable Mariette kept us engaged in lively conversation, explaining how in these parts no-one bothers to get married any more. What with the five children she has and six of her companion, they have a good team, she said. Her smiling face and demeanour, not to mention the vigour with which she prepared enormous quantities of delicious food seemed to bear out the satisfactory nature of her domestic and social qualities. Others of her crowd joined in advising us on the various other naturist clubs which we might possibly visit on the following days. The next morning was so fine that we were loath to leave Les Bois - the Pardiére Woods - but the Atlantic Coast beckoned us onward.

Joyce Fleming C.S.C.

Report from Australia

By John Schmidt - ANF President

Warmest greetings to all our international friends from us down here in Australia. We hope that the INF continues to prosper, and we shall be with you, in spirit anyway, in your celebration of World Nudist Day on May 26.

It will be our winter then so there's not a lot of nudist activity at that time. We like to have a delayed celebration in summer, but our thoughts will be with you just the same. It is good for us so far away to see the changes that have happened in Europe in recent times, and hope that peace and harmony prevails.

We, too, welcome our Polish friends into our ranks, and hope that more eastern countries are able to join us. It must be gratifying to the Central Committee, particularly as public relations is the current INF theme. PR is very high on our priorities here too, so with similar thoughts and ideals, our future looks very bright.

Naturism in Australia continues to grow, particularly in the increasing number of "clothes optional" resorts being developed. The last year or two saw bad times for some of our affiliated clubs - we lost three in Queensland alone - but these were only temporary setbacks, and seems to be up and running again. Free beaches, both legal and illegal, are still popular. There is still no joy as regards legal free beaches in Queensland - although 'tolerated' beaches abound - but the situation in Tasmania is very promising indeed.

We had an unfortunate setback last year when we had to cancel our proposed convention at Sunseekers, in Perth, Western Australia.

Perth is some 3000km from the eastern states, and indications were that, due to tight economic times prevailing, we would not have a quorum to allow our delegates meeting to proceed.

It was a sad time for us all, but a decision had to be made, and for those of us on the ANF executive who had to make it, a most difficult, and distressing one. We were, however, able to convene a special general meeting which was held at the Rosco club, north of Sydney, in January.

This was a meeting that we had to have, the very existence of the ANF was threatened. We survived, thanks to the support of the thirty delegates present.

A new constitution was adopted, and we now look forward to the future. Our 1991 convention will be at the Helios club out of Melbourne. We would, of course, be very honoured to welcome any international visitors who may like to join us.

Photo: Freddy Karstensen

Dear Sir,

I would like to point out to Guy C. (Letters to the Editor Sept 1991) the origin of the "Fred Bear" logo, so proudly displayed by the F.B.G. Inc. and show that it was as much chance as design.

The letter headings were done with a child's printing set. The type that is made up by putting letters into the slots in a wooden block. Also in the set were some rubber stamp animals. R. H. just happened to choose the bear for its jovial expression.

At the first A.G.M. it was unanimously voted to adopt him as the mascot. Only it was intended to call him "Fred Bare".

Many other clubs have their own logos and our own Auckland Sun Club is very distinctive with an orange twelve petalled sun on a white background. This has been incorporated in the car sticker, Pennant, tee shirt and flag as well as the clubhouse clock.

The N.Z.N.F. logo is also recognisable to thousands. On the rare occasions, when I don't want anyone to know what it stands for I say "New Zealand Natural Forest".

Yours faithfully,
Tony Davis, A.S.C.

Naturist Objection

Mention of the New Zealand Naturist in the context of TV3's Inside New Zealand documentary on "bondage and discipline" (August 8) is objectionable to all genuine naturists.

Naturism is a worldwide movement defined by the International Naturist Federation as "communal nudity practised in the belief that it encourages self-respect, respect for others and for the environment". The stated aims of a typical New Zealand sun club are "the promotion of physical and mental health and well-being through the practice of naturism".

In contrast to the grotesqueries of the urban underworld portrayed in this documentary, our element is that of the outdoors; freedom, fresh air, sunlight, the earth and the sea. Nothing in our club is shady, except the trees under which we sit and relax in summer.

Joyce Fleming
Honorary Life Member
Canterbury Sun Club

Dear Sir,

Doug Ball, in his article in #138, observes that New Zealand could well do with a few more public nudists resorts like Mapua Leisure Park; a sentiment I have long held.

As a single male I was never welcomed in my approaches to Sun Clubs when I first came to Auckland eighteen years ago.

When the Free Beach Group was formed I was an early member and soon found myself on the committee. I have recently resigned from this after thirteen years and apparently the Group have appreciated my efforts as they voted me a life membership.

The FBG has done much and the beaches of New Zealand are now "Free" - not that this is all due to the Group by any means - the public have supported us marvelously. But something is still lacking.

The success of Mapua and similar resorts in Australia has made me green with envy. They offer something more, a higher level of enjoyment of life.

For years lottery and Lotto tickets have been dedicated to my "open" nudist resort. Unfortunately lady luck is a prude and turns her back. But lately, having been without permanent work for two years, no commitments, a little capital and no desire to return to the rat race, the appeal of the idea has grown. But I can't do it on my own, so the purpose of this letter is to seek out if possible, anyone of a similar dream. I'm open to all suggestions and comments.

Yours faithfully
Tony Wilson

Dear Sir,

In response to A.E. Molony's reference in Issue No. 137, to Exodus 20 v 22.26. This was concerned with instructions concerning the setting up of an altar in the Tabernacle of the congregation of Israel in their wanderings in the wilderness before entering the land of Canaan, their promised homeland.

They were instructed not to build steps to the altar "lest your nakedness be exposed on it". In chapter 28 vv 42 and 43, there are strict instructions too, to linen shorts reaching from the waist to the thighs, for Aaron and his sons, later extended to the Levitical Order of priests in general, so that they should not expose themselves in the presence of the LORD or while serving at the altar.

Surely there are times and places to be clothed, and others not to be? The Bible does not appear to be aware of the idea of social nakedness for the purposes of recreation and relaxation, so there are no directions accordingly.

In Today's English Version, otherwise called the Good News Bible, the most widely read modern English version in the U.K. there are only 40 references to nakedness, of which only 9 occur in the New Testament, with 6 of those associated with nakedness caused by poverty. 18 references to nakedness in the Old Testament relate to how Israel, Jerusalem, or some other people will suffer for their disobedience and unfaithfulness to God at the hand of their enemies. There are 3 references covering the action of Isaiah the prophet who obeyed God by going about naked for 3½ years, and the prophet Micah intending to do so, in both cases as visual warnings to a disobedient nation of their vulnerability and impending loss at the hands of their enemies, for rejecting and not trusting their Lord God, who had created their nation. There are 4 references to nakedness in the Adam & Eve story, and 3 relating to Noah being drunk and laying naked in his tent.

His son Ham gets cursed as a result. The reason for this is obscure, but Ham might have done better to have kept quiet and not told anyone, maybe that is why he gets ticked off.

Adam & Eve were kicked out of the 'Club' not for being naked, for God knew they were, had made them that way, accepted their nakedness. They only knew they were naked because they had disobeyed the 'Club' rules, had distrusted and disobeyed God. They had destroyed a relationship of confidence. This we commonly call the Fall of Man, an attempt to explain how human inhumanity developed. In a word ... sin, which is selfishness to one another and disobedience to God, the source of life and nature.

Jesus Christ came from God the Father to reconcile us to God. He makes it clear that the way back to God is narrow. Indeed as recorded in John l4 v 6. Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one can come to the Father except through me".

John's Gospel, chapter 3 verses 10-21, and the first 2 chapters of John's First letter makes it clear that God loves this world so much, that he sent his own son to liberate it, and the offered rescue and eternal life is for everyone who is prepared to trust their lives to His control, to believe in Him.

Paul in his letter to the Romans tells us that through trusting God's son, Jesus Christ, we become adopted sons of the family of Gods, sharing all that he has made (Romans ch 8), and he urges us in chapter 12, to offer our bodies as the temples of his Holy Spirit as living sacrifices in the service of God.

Jesus is sometimes called the Second Adam, the one who restored the relationship. If he has done that, does that include mutual nakedness in a relationship of mutual trust, where vulnerability is safe?

According to Paul's letter to the Christians at Corinth (1st Cor. ch l0 vv 23-24, "All things are lawful for me but all things are not expedient" AV) or in TEV, "We are allowed to do anything. That is true, but not everything is good, not everything is helpful. No one should be looking at his own interests, but to the interests of others". As naturists that includes taking care of one another, and also not to cause offence to those who disagree with us.

Finally, in Romans ch 8, Paul tells Christians, that nothing can separate them for the love of God in Christ Jesus, and in the list before this statement, he asks "Who shall separate us, can... nakedness? (verse 35. AV.)

God's offer is to every naturist, as to anyone else, but obedience to what God may require of us, may mean giving up naturism to serve Him, or it may mean serving Him within naturism. That is His decision and ours is the challenge and choice.

Yours sincerely
John E Maddams

WAIKATO OUTDOOR SOCIETY

Our committee for 1991/92 has several new faces and we are grateful for the manner in which members came forward to take on these responsible positions.

We are very grateful for all the work previous committee members have done for improving our facilities and arranging the many social and inter- club sporting activities.

Our club house now boasts wall to wall carpet tiles and new lino around the kitchen area. The floor covering has really achieved a comfortable homely atmosphere. Members can be proud of themselves as we now have come full circle to where we were before we lost our previous building.

Social activities throughout the winter months have seen good attendances at spa evenings held at fort- nightly intervals at two members homes. A ten-pin bowling evening sparked much interest amongst members, so also a pot luck dinner and games evening at another member's home. The mid-winter swim attracted few takers but the hot soup and volley ball followed by a sumptuous meal made for a most enjoyable happening. Heaps of thanks to those members who offered their homes and facilities for the enjoyment of other club members.

We held our first working-bee for the season where much upgrading of facilities and grounds was carried out in anticipation of a long hot summer. A good number of members turned up and as usual they enjoyed the occasion where companionship, laughter, some sport and general good spirit were in evidence. From this effort we have gained a new retaining wall and a fern garden which should do much to enhance the appearance of the club house.

In the initial planning stages for the new year are the Pirongia Challenge and the Bay of Plenty Sports weekend. These are real fun weekends enjoyed by all participants.

Don't forget where we are folks. A warm welcome is extended to all who are passing our way over the summer months. Come and relax on our grounds before and after the Auckland Rally. We have plenty of space for camping and four powered sites are available. A good play area, trampoline, volley ball court, mm-ten court, swimming pool and much much more is available, plus of course a club house with a million dollar view.

THE AUCKLAND SUN CLUB

Our mad maintenance moguls made a mistake. On a nice sunny day, towards the end of August, they took down the rusty spouting along the front of the club house. One of them was going to paint the fascia during the week in preparation to putting up the shiny new plastic Storm Cloud guttering the next weekend. Disaster! Rain, rain and more rain. So much so that the cobblestone path was nearly afloat. Somehow the fascia did get painted. Saturday the 21st of September saw no easing of the rain. (worse if anything). This was the night of our "Quiz Evening". Guests had to brave a waterfall to get through the door. "That's enough' was the cry. "Tomorrow the new spouting is going up or bust!" Sure enough, the weather saw the determination of our crew and temporarily gave up the struggle. For those of you who care to remember, Sunday the 22nd was a glorious day. Who will want to borrow our rain makers this summer.

We continued on with our monthly socials all through the winter. In July one of our members opened his house to us. This is always a pleasant evening.

With a hot spa, good food, gentle music and friendly conversation.

In August we had a games evening. One of our members demonstrated how badly pool can be played. He also did the honourable thing by losing to the ladies at darts.

September's social was the Quiz Evening. We all learned many wonderful and weird things. Did you know that President Ford (U.S.A.) was the only man to make Vice-President and then President without being elected to either. Or that the tallest building in Europe is in Moscow?.

Quite a few of us have been taking advantage of H.C.S.C.s swim nights at Parakai. Good value for five dollars. Pity it's so far away.

The hard work put in on the property last summer has certainly paid off this winter. We can get to the club house now with clean shoes despite the temporary lack of spouting above the path. The grass in the newly levelled area behind the building is growing well. The occasional bamboo shoot has appeared but these have been severely dealt with.

Inside the clubhouse the ceiling is all sparkling white with its final coat of paint. All the paneled walls have been varnished. Just a final spruce up is required as we hope to see many visitors this year.

Especially by those who want a few hours rest after the hectic fun of the rally. Then we will be keeping the sun off the lawn with our prone and prostrate bodies for the rest of the summer. But in workish moments we hope to get the concrete pipes laid in the ditch and so get a bit more done to the ring road. Also, some more of the bamboo is going to be cleared away to extend the back lawn. At some future date this may be good enough for a mini putting green.

AUCKLAND OUTDOOR HEALTH CLUB INC

All is in readiness for.the 40th NZNF National Rally to be held on our grounds from the 28th December 1991 to 3rd January 1992.

The weather has been unkind to us, in that we have had to spread our work load out over a longer period of time than was necessary in order to complete the upgrading of our campsites and barbeque area. However all is now completed and we can look forward to a wonderful event.

A lot of work has been achieved in removing fallen trees and debris from our parkland and visitors will notice the high standard displayed and the many new native trees that have been planted as part of our contribution to Conservation Week.

Another very good social evening was held recently with Christine and her team putting on an Old English Fish and Chip night. The meal was excellent and was followed with dancing to Piano Accordion until late at night.

During the next few weeks the Rally committee will concentrate on putting into place all the services required to make the Rally the success it will surely be and we look forward to meeting again the many visitors from the other clubs who have been to an AOHC rally before and to those who are coming for the first time.

ALPINE LAKES NUDIST CENTRE

Firstly, we would like to thank the Auckland Sun Club for the support given to our newly formed club via the September issue of NZ Naturist.

We would welcome a visit from any club members travelling to Sunny Central. Simply drop us a line at P.O. Box 49, Arrowtown, Central Otago.

Although we are a newly formed club and are still searching for suitable grounds on which to establish the Centre this has not prevented us from enjoying social activities. Recently we have been enjoying some mid-winter sports, with the skiing and ice-skating trips being the highlights for both adults and children alike.

Already we have summer plans underway which will include nude family hikes and nude rafting trips amongst other outings. (some members have even suggested we try nude bungy jumping!!) But most of the time we just have a lot of fun down by the river. So if you bare, why not come and spend some time with us.

WELLINGTON SUN CLUB

Members of the Wellington Sun Club plus some guests from Palmerston North Sun Club said goodbye to winter recently when they held a KARAOKE night in the clubhouse. It was a fabulous night some say the best social in years!!!

The evening commenced at 7pm with an hour for the children (which actually ended up 2 hours) followed by three hours non-stop entertainment from the adults who sang everything from the Beatles to Rap!

We can thoroughly recommend a KARAOKE night if you want a fun night.

Over recent months the grounds have received much T.L.C. with more than 100 new trees planted, a new boundary fence erected and one or two rather large trees removed. Work continues on the youth hut as well as our other facilities.

The immediate future will see club members distributing promotional materials in an effort to raise the profile of nudism in general and also to encourage new members. Much work is going on behind the scenes to make our club and the nudist lifestyle more accessible to the public.

One or two of the Wellington members are willing to let their caravans to members of other clubs at very reasonable rates over the holiday period. Interested members should write to The Secretary - address details listed in the back of this issue.

Finally, Wellington Club members extend very best wishes to the organisers of the 1991/2 National rally. We wish you every success. Have a great one

GISBORNE COUNTRY CLUB LTD

What a pleasure it is to have summer with us again with blossom on the trees and weeds in the garden. The grounds are looking a picture with members taking a pride in weeding and tidying the grounds and the young trees and creepers growing around the fences taking the starkness out of bare corrugated iron.

Sauna evenings have been our mainstay through the winter with the highlight being the visit of 17 B.O.P. Sun Club members to a mid winter dinner. The swimming pool has been empty all winter whilst a new filter system is being installed and it should be ready for use by Labour Weekend. Membership is still low but we still have a steady number of enquiries from the public.

Members have been discussing the Auckland Rally and although there is considerable interest no members have committed themselves to going at time of writing. We are looking forward to seeing more campers calling in this year and assure everyone that the grounds and members are ready to welcome you to our peaceful haven. Just a mention to those who haven't been here before to note that our grounds are right on the edge of State Highway Two. Our caretakers have noticed that several caravans and camper vans have stopped right outside the gate, obviously thought 'This can't be it' and driven on. We are very different from most clubs with our club-house just 10 metres from a major highway so next time don't hesitate, drive on in to 'Mecca' our hideaway that isn't hidden away.

NELSON SUN CLUB

Those who have not been to Sunrise over the winter months will be in for a surprise this summer. Major enhancements have been taking place. The first was the felling of the pine trees on the golf course. These realized a large amount of timber but also a HUGE amount of firewood, enough to keep the home fires burning for a long time, thanks to the hard work of members.

In their place nearly 250 trees/shrubs, both native and introduced, have been planted, and the greens have all been re-sown with beautiful results (watch your putting this summer).

The next project was the bulldozing of the volleyball/badminton court, enlarging the miniten court, creating another caravan park and some smoothing of the tent area alongside the creek.

About this time the BBQ area was permanently covered, ready for the hot summer days ahead. With the new large pool completed, things are certainly looking good at Sunrise, and the upgrading of the water system there should be plenty to top-up the two pools.

The "quiet" time has certainly been made full use of, especially when "working bees" included games evenings and share dinners. When coupled with good weather and good companionship what more could you ask for?

At the time of writing, members were making preparations to travel to Central Otago to meet with "Orchard" for a Labour Weekend of sport and fellowship - who said autumn/winter was a quiet time?

NEW ZEALAND CLUB DIRECTORY

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

new zealand

naturist

No. 139 December 1991

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

Business Manager:

Frank Murphy

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.

(Top)

AUSTRALIAN NUDIST CLUB DIRECTORY

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

President: Les Olsen
Auckland 444-5015

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

PHOTO CREDITS

Freddy Karstensen - FC, I.F.C., P16

Doug Ball - P2, P21

Graham Macgregor - P5, P7, P15

Doug Cousins - P11, P17

Robbert Broekstra - B.C.

STATE ASSOCIATIONS:

Nudist Association of Victoria,*

P.O. Box 313,
Reservoir, Vic. 3073

Nudist Association
of Queensland,*

P.O. Box 442,
Woodridge, Qld 4114.

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

DEADLINES FOR COPY

140 March 1992 - 30 January 1992

141 June 1992 - 20 April 1992

142 September 1992 - 15 July 1992

143 December 1992 - 1 October 1992

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