# 156 - March 1996 

Ellen

"There's Ellen from the television sit-com show," remarked a few of the two hundred and sixty rally-goers at the 'Hollywood' Rally at Five Acres in Wellington.

Sadly, it was not the television star, Ellen DeGeneres but an 'Ellen' look alike at the 44th Annual Nudist Rally; a celebrity in her own right. The stunningly attractive blond with the short, cropped hair was indeed an American. A nudist for not more than a couple of weeks, Jennie Sieczynski Crawley was actually on her honeymoon.

Only days before arriving at Five Acres, Jennie, a teacher of English at Osaka, Japan had been married to Supporters Group member Peter Crawley.

Peter a long time rally-goer from Westport had popped the question after a year long courtship by correspondence.

The couple first met when Jennie came to New Zealand and stayed with Peter's sister, Stephanie, over Christmas 1994 and parted after a brief acquaintance when Jennie returned to Japan.

However, both knew they had much in common and developed a mutual attraction for each other.

"I wrote a lot of letters regularly to Peter and was about to give up when I got a twenty-four page reply," recalls Jennie. "Progress began from there."

Jennie did not know how to react when Peter's last letter indicated that he was going to the 'Hollywood' Nudist rally and asked "would you like to come?"

Ever ready to take up the challenge Jennie said "yes" and only days after their reunion added a second "yes" to a proposal of marriage.

Being close to Christmas and a requirement of three week's paper work, a marriage ceremony in Christchurch - where they were holidaying - was not easy to arrange.

However with bureaucratic goodwill, it was suggested that Westport could help. The paper work was short circuited and we "just about asked people off the street to be our witnesses and guests at a quickly arranged wedding celebration ".

With all the matrimonial formalities over, it was off to 'Five Acres' where the newest Supporters Group card holder took part in the rally sports and activities and enjoyed nudity as much as the day she was born.

Perhaps not a Hollywood tale but to Jennie and Peter it is a true life romantic story.

Photo: Les Olsen

Friday evening 5 o'clock the week's work is over.

Tired out and sick of the rat race of Auckland city. The rush and bustle, the dust and smog. The stress of city living, I need time out.

We pack up the car (no clothes) just towels and food. Must not forget the sunscreen and my sunhat. Do we need the umbrella? Maybe just as a sunshade. Off we go!

The traffic on the Southern motorway is bumper to bumper, normally it takes us just 20 minutes, but tonight it is well over half an hour. There is the turn off at Ramarama. A few more metres, one more turn and there is the green fence. Peace and quiet at last. A nice little meal cooked outside our caravan, a dip in the beautiful salt filtered pool and a long slow drink watching a magnificent sunset.

Saturday morning woken by the bird songs. What a glorious day. Go for a walk around the club grounds breathing in the fresh air and feeling the slight breeze on my body. The trees are full of birds and down on the bottom paddock I think I can see a rabbit hopping around.

Time for a hot shower and then I will cook a big breakfast in the club kitchen. My partner wants to do a little bit of gardening, but my worthy self has sunbathing and socialising in mind. Now where is the best place to lie my body down, so many acres of gently rolling grass with beautiful shade trees all very secure and private. Large trees of different species line the perimeters and many trees and shrubs are cleverly placed for excellent shade and beauty. Rock gardens, flax and other plantings delight the eye.

Down by the club rooms there is a nice sunny spot for me. Banana chair, lots of sunscreen slip slapped on and a good book, what more do I need.

Lunch is a tomato and cheese sandwich and a cool fruit juice, eaten under the twin oaks in the top paddock. I watch Brian, our caretaker, doing a little tidy up around the gardens. A little hedgehog walks slowly past minding its own little business.

After lunch someone suggests a miniten game on our new concrete court. Am I up to it, well why not. Then a long refreshing swim. The children are having a great time in the little children's pool. I like the dark blue colour both the pools are painted. I think they retain the warmth better, but maybe it is the salt that does it, like swimming in the sea.

Saturday evening, happy hour 4.30pm around the barbecue table. A glass of wine, some chips and dip with great conversation. Later preparing salads and potatoes in the club kitchen, the women joking and laughing, while the lads stoke up the barbecue. A meal fit for a king eaten outside in the cooler night air whilst watching the sun go down. Another calm and peaceful night at Counties Sun Club. Listening to Morepork in the tall pine tree behind my caravan I fall asleep happy and contented.

The Counties Sun Club has 12 powered camp sites and many unpowered sites. One has a choice of shady or sunny areas all over the club. The club rooms are situated by the front drive with an ablution block adjoining. The kitchen is for the use

of all, with two fridges, hot water, stove and microwave. There is a laundry and a little shop for ice-creams and liquid refreshments.

Sunday morning, walking down to the toilets a wood-pigeon just misses me as it soars up to the tall cherry trees and is that a bell bird or a tui I hear. Mandy, Brian's cat, welcomes me and rubs up against my legs. Lucky Mandy spending all her life out in the peace and quiet of Counties Sun Club in Ramarama.

Another happy day spent resting and swimming. A nice cup of tea is put on at 3 o'clock. Maybe we can stay for a barbecue before heading down a quiet motorway only 20 minutes to Auckland. Next weekend we will definitely spend at Counties Sun Club.

Adrienne

HELIOS

FIVE          YEARS          OF

NATURISM     IN    SIBERIA

1995 spring, which was unusually warm for Siberia, our naturist club 'Helios' of Novosibirsk, celebrated five years from its foundation. The club appeared in communist times as a small group of enthusiasts. First years we had to be like an illegal organisation. We seek new friends by posting on the walls, proclamations with our coded address. But the people's interest was high. When the regime became more liberal and first the private newspapers appeared, we received an opportunity to agitate. And it worked well. Since 1992, times have changed completely. Now we have no problems except the financial ones.

Allied clubs appeared in neighbouring cities such as Omsk, Barnaul, Krasnoyarsk, Kemerovo and so on. We have strong contacts with them now.

Novosibirsk is situated at the great river Ob, with a giant storage lake call Ob sea, nearby. The nature here is rich and wild, providing good possibilities to spend vacation time. 'Tis the pity, the summer is short, but many enthusiasts start sunbathing from April, just on the snow. We still remember the time when we had to choose secluded places for sunbathing, where nobody could disturb us. It was really dangerous!

But now we can relax. A large naturist beach has been formed on the Ob sea shore, a convenient place near the famous Academytown. It was formed spontaneously by people, nobody organised this. At first, only a few dozen enthusiasts attended this place, and so did we. And last summer, on sunny days, hundreds of naturists were gathering here, of course not only club members. For the post-communist society it is a great achievement!

And no problems with the officials, so we hope they will never appear.

The winter lasts for six months and frosts of -30 - -40°C are not unusual, but for the club members it only enhances the pleasure to meet in the sauna. And imagine how pleasant it is to swim in a warm pool when the temperature outside is -30°C!

Our club is not an official formation. We have no membership fees and annual meetings. So nobody has tried to count the members, but we can say that much more than a hundred people have visited us.

And 40-50 are regularly attending our meetings.

The relations between us is very friendly. We like each other! The warm atmosphere curls around our charming and energetic informal leader Vladimir Solntzev, who has a unique ability to find new friends. Of course the club appeared mostly due to his efforts. And most of us, who find so many new friends here, are grateful to him.

We want to congratulate all our friends in Russia and abroad, with the new summer coming.

On behalf of club members, A. Aleksandro.

Our address: P.O. Box 63, Novosibirsk 630005, Russia. Please contact us!

Photo: Robbert Broekstra

A NEW FACE

After twelve years as the Business Manager of our magazine, Frank Murphy has relinquished the post which provided a great stabilising influence on the magazine's production. He nurtured the sale of back issues and greatly encouraged our many subscribers to continue their annual support. For his untiring effort we are truly thankful.

Stepping into this role is Laurel Olsen who will be greatly supported by her Editor husband Les. Laurel's previous experience involved management in various retail outlets so she is well versed in the structures of compiling subscriber listings and accounts control and the additional duties of GST returns etc.

We welcome her to the "Naturist' team.

Graeme Brown returns again as our Technical Adviser and Sub-Editor - a role not so labour intensive as that of the Editor's role he previously held.

Photo: Les Olsen

Recreation — TOP END NATURIST

  — Style —    

In Darwin, the Northern Territory capital, the weather is good enough for naturism to be practised all year round indoors and outdoors. With the wet season upon us at the moment, we are experiencing days with the temperature ranging from 25°C to 35°C and the humidity in the morning is at 89% and in the afternoon at about 75%, so it is a good time to be without clothes.

At the Top End Naturist Recreation Retreat, it is a good feeling to be sitting in the pool at 11pm watching the storms roll by and also to be in the pool at 6am watching the sunrise. The lightning storms at this time of the year are quite exquisite and can last for a few hours.

Within the home, it is quite possible to be nude with a few precautions, make sure you don't upset the neighbours, by shutting the blinds. After work there is no better feeling than coming home and stripping off and cooling down. It is nice to sit in the air conditioned lounge room at home watching television without that clammy feeling from wearing clothes.

Since my last article on TENRR there has been a lot of work done on the lawns and the landscaping and it is turning into quite an oasis. There is wheelchair access to the swimming pool and all around the amenities so Gary has to be congratulated on his forethought in catering for the disabled.

The owners are currently putting in a 9 hole mini golf course and an oversize outdoor chess set. With all the rain we are getting at this time of the year, the grounds are looking beautiful and green.

Gary has carved 2kms of walking tracks through the bush and early in the morning you can see kangaroos and wild horses.

TENRR has a tour service operating now so if you want to see any of the local tourist hot spots, you can go to them in comfort. At the moment Lichfield Park is a popular spot, as all parts of the park are accessible.

So if you are thinking of visiting the Northern Territory and wish to stay at a naturist retreat in a lovely bush setting, give Gary or Jean a ring on 61 89 886 185 and you will be made most welcome.

Tony Hodskiss

Hollywood

Wednesday 27 December

Slowly the grounds become populated with members from other clubs as travellers arrived and set up camp. The preparation for the 1995/96 Hollywood Rally at the Wellington Sun Club appeared to be well advanced, with almost a day spare to attend to finer details. The grounds were looking a treat. A new barbecue area, beautiful gardens, trimmed sites and dashes of colour from imported planter boxes made the Wellington Sun Club look like Beverly Hills. The evening was spent with the Home Brew Wine and Beer tasting that proved very interesting - people actually drink that stuff? (Yes Ken, I agree there are exceptions).

Day 1 Thursday 28 December

Another fine day, although the wind was a bit of a worry. More campers arrived and Judith was more than occupied with registrations and showing new arrivals to their sites. Canvastown on the lower fields was populated very quickly as numbers registering started to exceed the original estimates. Sound systems were in place, the lighting in the hall was installed, the sports areas looked a million dollars. Things looked set for a great rally.
The opening ceremony saw New York cops, complete in Neil's 1937 Ford Coupé, storm the 'first nudist rally' complete with authentic film crew and sound effects. Tony did a great job with the pyrotechnics when machine gun fire saw the innocent nudist shot down in her prime. Doug proudly unveiled the NZNF flag only to find it flying upside down - the crowd wasn't too distressed - in fact it was quite fitting for Hollywood.

President June declared the rally officially open and from then on it was all LIGHTS, CAMERAS, ACTION! That evening a Wine and Cheese was held, followed by Brucies' Audition - absolutely brilliant, ably assisted by the attractive Bev at his side.

Photo: Doug Ball

Photo: Les Olsen

Day 2 Friday 29 December

It was all go at 7.30am with the wake up call and distribution of Chester's first paparazzi newsletter. Sports got underway and Ken's coordination of these events was superb. Murray had the Miniten going like clockwork. Albert and Sheila may not have seen much of the sunshine, but did a great job with the bowls competition. Jeff was in charge of the petanque and Ken got the volleyball games underway. Brian had the table tennis proceeding smoothly and Chester was the master of ceremonies for the swimming. Tenequiots, darts, chess and draughts were also played and coordinated by members from other clubs - thanks guys.

That evening, following Happy Hour and barbecue, was the Black Tie and Tails evening - Hollywood Song and Dance. The feature was the costuming. Absolutely stunning is the only way to describe both the effort and the effects for the majority of members. Of course, the music was duly turned up and we danced away until the wee small hours.

Day 3 Saturday 30 December

It was so fitting to have a Celebrity Breakfast this morning. The grounds were buffeted during the night with gale force winds that saw the children's tent at the back of MGM studios ripped to shreds. Thanks to Dwight's Canvas this was quickly repaired.

Photo: Les Olsen

Following breakfast in the studios, sport recommenced and the weather started to improve.

Comments were made as to how we could afford to run a bar with such reasonable prices!! Bernard and Shirley 'Arkwright' kept a well stocked shop running at all hours and Veronicas lunches were excellent. Not to forget the brilliant salad bar and the ability to purchase meat packs for the evening barbecue. June - you and your magic band of helpers were true to form.

That night the hall was in darkness as the first theatre goers arrived, to be shown to their seats by usherettes complete with white coats and torches. The complimentary jaffas handed to each attendee were either eaten or rolled on the floor to add to the authenticity of the event. Following all being up-and-standing to sing 'God Save the King', the crowd sat back to enjoy super 8mm Chaplin and Laurel & Hardy movies (thanks to Aubrey and Margaret Fitton), 16mm Newsreels of the 1940s and a Buster Keaton classic and concluding the evening with a family video that saw some falling asleep in their chairs. Another tiring day. The late night video was not shown due to people preferring to get ready for the New Year's Eve party.

Day 4 Sunday 31 December

The weather by now was brilliant.

Photo: Doug Ball

The theme from the movie Pink Panther slowly woke the campers to another day of sport and relaxation. Friendships were being re-established from previous rallies, new ones were being formed over a cuppa with Betty's homemade cookies being a real treat. A general feeling was growing that this rally was going to be a real cracker, marked by the friendliness, the weather, the smooth organisation and, of course, typical Wellington hospitality.

Imagine the scene with over 200 seated at tables enjoying a New Year's Eve meal of fresh fish and salad, bathed in glorious sunshine. Another success!

The lighting in the hall was ready. The sound system was set to continue the festivities into the wee small hours. But first - the live band took centre stage and on their very first number people were up dancing. What a party. All the celebrities of Hollywood were there - the Chaplins, the Clint Eastwoods, Elvis (he lives!) the Disney characters, Robo Cop - you name it - absolutely mind blowing.

The media were on site - interviewing and filming the rally. TV3 News and the Dominion, as well as More Magazine - all showing an interest in the naturist movement - and wondering how nudists could enjoy a fancy DRESS party! Great work Chester in generating this coverage including radio talk back! All New Zealand knew about the rally. Following great dancing, a bar that kept the revellers happy and a fantastic band, the countdown into 1996 commenced. At midnight the place erupted. Over 100 balloons descended, all ceremoniously stamped on - the band played, people kissed and wished everyone the best for the new year - and to top it off, Tony and his helpers staged our very own firework display. A great celebration party continued, with people who know how to have a good time. Gavin - why did they stop dancing at 3.30am? Gavin did a great job with the sound and the finances.
Day 5 Monday 01 January

New Year's Day dawned calm and warm - and a slower than usual start to the sports was called for. Louis Armstrong's dulcet tones sang "What a Wonderful World" as the campers slowly stirred to another beautiful Wellington day. Wendy's cleaning team were seen disappearing into the loos with bucket and a day's supply of toilet paper. They did a spotless job as did Barry and his helpers with the rubbish collection.

Sports continued - finalists were being found.

Photo: Les Olsen

Great games of volleyball were being played and viewed by growing numbers of spectators on the centre lawn. And around lunch time daily were the Celebrity (Top Town) sports - with Tony behind the loud hailer directing the events. The atmosphere was great as people laughed, relaxed, sunbathed and enjoyed the grounds and the friendships. Bevan's All Star Bar was another success story - ably assisted by Phil and Neil.

The evening entertainment featured the Percy Cousins Trust concert or OSCAR Night. The children stunned the audience with an Octopus' Garden light show (Christine and helpers - thanks for treating the littlies with a special programme) - followed by several other skits, songs, recitals from other clubs. Club Med - eat your heart out!

Day 6 Tuesday 02 January

The day's theme for Day 6 was Comedy and Slapstick. Finals were now being played for all the sports and in some cases, humour was the last thing on the players' minds! Some rally attendee's started to pack and move from Five Acres. Others, indeed the majority, enjoyed an afternoon on a sun soaked lawn,

attending a brief AGM of the NZNF and then the prize giving and thank you speeches. The rally was officially closed and yet all was not over. In fact, the evening entertainment lived up to all expectations and proved to be a fitting end to a great rally. The improvisers performed theatre sport games to the point where people were rolling in the aisles clutching their sides. A fitting end to a happy, enjoyable rally.

Wednesday 03 January

The rally over, most started to leave. There were some 40 odd members who were wise enough to take up the offer to partake in a Nude Chasm Walk in Martinborough, arranged by George. Some mentioned upon their return that this event was the cream on the cake and was a fitting climax to what we all now know was a superb Hollywood Rally. "Well done team. Did you hear me team? What? They're all sleeping? Let's leave them - they deserve the rest, believe me!"

Roll on Auckland for the next 1996/97 rally - surely too good to miss.

PATUNA CHASM

- NUDE -

A spectacular gorge in the Wairarapa makes an ideal venue for nudist tramping. Doug Ball reports.

They say there is a first time for everything, and the day trip we did after the Wellington Rally certainly was a new experience for the forty-two nudists who took part.

Quite a few of us had been nude before. Some remember the Akatarawa Valley tramp after the Wellington Rally in 1990, when we almost caused a trail biker to run off the road with surprise! Then there was the Rakaia Gorge Walkway trip following the Canterbury Sun Club Rally in 1991, when we enjoyed a perfect day walking nude in the foothills of the snow-capped Southern Alps.

However, none of us had ever explored a limestone canyon, (where the only way through was to carefully pick one's way through the cold water of a mountain stream) in the nude!

The nude excursion to Patuna Chasm was the brainchild of George, a member of the Wellington Sun Club, who had done the trip before (with a clothed party) and recognised it as an ideal venue for a nudist tramp. Not only is the chasm spectacular, but it is entirely on private property, and the land-owner guide was only too happy to escort a party of nudists through at $10 per head.

From the Sun Club at Te Marua it was an hour's drive over the Rimutaka Hill to Martinborough in the Wairarapa. There we met our guide, John McLeod, who led the way to Patuna, where the walk begins.

The first hour was a pleasant wander through open grassland, and we soon had our clothes stashed in our day-packs so as to enjoy the sensations of freedom in the open air and summer sunshine.

After crossing the Ruakokopatuna River at a shallow ford, the track rose gradually along the edge of a steep-ending valley. Soon we were alongside the Patuna Chasm, with precipitous cliffs dropping down to the river fifteen metres below. The chasm is so narrow that we could easily have thrown a stone to the opposite bank. Once through a gate, we were in a fenced-off area which John had donated to the Queen Elizabeth Trust. His idea was to preserve the native forest, and the chasm itself, for future generations to enjoy, by keeping all stock out of the bush, and removing the opossums that had been devastating the vegetation.

At least we didn't get our clothes wet! And it wasn't really deep enough to be excruciating!

From the ladder's foot we waded upstream, carefully placing our feet in the depressions between the very slippery boulders covering the river bed. John had warned us not to try and balance on top of the brown algae-covered stones. Don, from Canada was immediately in front of me when he slipped and fell on his face. I instinctively raised my camera for a shot, forgot to look where I was walking, and promptly followed him into the water. Luckily my camera is water resistant, and the only damage was to my pride.

We all gathered at the foot of a beautiful moss-covered waterfall while John explained some of the interesting geology of the area.

Besides a wealth of fossiliferous rocks, the riverbed contains some of the oldest rocks ever found in New Zealand - approximately 400 million years old.

We continued our journey downstream, past the ladder, through pools, beneath towering overhanging cliffs, and through narrow canyons. Our eyes soaked in the scenery. We marvelled at the natural rock gardens, stalactites, and walls thick with fossilised shells. I had never seen so many fossils in one place. Shafts of sunlight penetrating the forest canopy reflected from the surface of the rippling water and cast shifting patterns of diffused light onto the chasm walls.

Each bend in the stream opened onto another scene of natural beauty.

John lead us into a cleft in the canyon wall that he has aptly named the "Cathedral". Fluted limestone columns form the walls, while stalactites are still actively growing down from the ceiling like so many chandeliers. The cleft is cold, damp and shady and now and then you feel a drip of icy cold water on your bare skin. A small hardship to endure for the reward of seeing such a rare natural wonder. The "Cathedral" contains the only stalagmite (a cone-shaped formation growing up from the floor of a cave,) that has ever been found in the chasm.

Further downstream we waded knee-deep through a gradually curving tunnel before finally bursting out into the real world again.

As we regained the track and headed back to the road we felt rejuvenated and refreshed by our unique experience. We had just spent two hours in a semi-subterranean world, so different from any place we had been before. What's more, we had done it in the company of our nudist friends, and in the nude! What could have been more enjoyable?

At an afternoon-tea stop at Te Marua Gardens on the drive back to the Club, we were already planning our next nude adventure. May there be many more!

Article & Photos by Doug Ball

John told me that they had killed between four and five thousand opossums in the previous year, and that the Department of Conservation was about to deal with the remaining animals with an aerial drop of 1080 poison.

As we walked through the bush we were able to see positive signs that the trees were already beginning to recover from opossum damage, and some interesting and rare ferns and orchids were beginning to grow alongside the track.

Lunch was enjoyed in a sunny, sheltered spot beside an unusual limestone overhang. Some of us sought the cool shade under the cliff, while others preferred to relax in the soft grass in the warm sunshine. It was a pleasant interlude, but all too soon our guide stirred us into action again.

Now the adventure really began. In Indian file we carefully picked our way down into the chasm, following a steep, narrow track, grateful for the thick rope handrail John had fixed to the trees. After a few minutes we came to the top of a vertical drop. A long ladder led down into the river ten metres below. Stepping off the ladder into the water was a moment of truth! Brr! Oh, well, a bit of cold water didn't hurt anyone, and what did we expect?

ROTOTA SUN CLUB INC.

Late last year RSC was informed that the area between the camp, the stream, and the lake was to be logged. It has now been done and looks like a war zone with almost nothing left standing. The hot stream is OK and our grounds are a little more open on the northern side now.

Richard and Chris our caretakers were married at the grounds recently. A real team effort saw a flower garlanded stage built on the lake shore and the food was prepared and cooked on-site. Because of the presence of non-nudist family members, we were clothed for the ceremony and meal but I suspect we may gain some new members from the family.

Tauranga hot pool day is on again - May 4th 1996 so see your Club Secretary for details.

Thanks for another good rally Wellington. Visitors to Rotota after the rally were looking for rest and relaxation. Whether you want peace and quiet or activity and socialising, you are always welcome at Rotota Sun Club.

Graham

HAWKES BAY SUN CLUB INC.

Yes we are alive and kicking. The weather has lived up to its name "Sunny Hawkes Bay" hot and dry.

Had lots of visitors, some going to the rally and returning from the same. Quite a number of these people have complimented us on our newly painted pool and tidy grounds. A great job done by the pool and ground managers plus helpers.

The Children's Xmas party was a great success. We had a "Mother Xmas" and the children loved her.

We have our sheep back on the grounds keeping the grass down outside our recreation area, which, by the way, has an electric fence around it.

There is one stubborn ewe which persists in charging through the fence to the green grass and plants on the other side.

As a result of previous plantings we now have native trees and flaxes which attracts the tuis, bell-birds, herons, magpies and Moreporks to the grounds.

The power of advertising has proven to be right for us, resulting in a number of enquiries and new members joining.

Believe it or not, some people didn't know we existed - so - Speak Out or Miss Out.

Our club now has a cell phone operating 9am to 9pm daily the number is 025 500 557.

I hope you are all having a wonderful summer and wish you all the best for the future.

Patrick

AUCKLAND SUN CLUB INC.

This year we hosted the combined open day and the weather was kind to us. TV2 came to the club and Marcus Lush seemed to enjoy himself. All in all it went quite well.

In October we had a stall in the Mind and Body show, with all four clubs participating. It was very interesting for me anyway.

The grounds are looking lovely and the pool is very inviting.

Of course there was the rally to go to in Wellington. Well done Wellington, as usual they had everything top notch. We always look forward to attending their rally. We were not disappointed, it was great to meet all new and old acquaintances.

We also had quite a few visitors at the club, there being lots of different nationalities among them. Let's hope the summer is long and hot.

Hanna

AUCKLAND OUTDOOR HEALTH CLUB

Members of our club had a very enjoyable time at the Wellington 'Hollywood' Rally and much appreciated the hard working effort put in to the organisation by the rally team. It was great.

We also managed to win a few trophies back to help fill our club's cabinet. We were able to regain the Senior Open Volleyball Trophy as the main prize.

Although tired and weary from the strenuous effort of the rally, we were able to steel ourselves and enjoy the beautiful fine weather over Auckland Anniversary weekend and participate in the annual mad sports and Top Team games.

Robbert Broekstra - a naturist photo journalist from Holland - was hosted by Les and Laurel Olsen and enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere of AOHC prior to visiting other naturist facilities throughout the country on a three week holiday.

Sue and Ray are to be congratulated for organising an excellent Hawaiian luau which was enjoyed by a very large crowd around the t5ool complex on the Saturday night. It was great fun.

CANTERBURY SUN CLUB INC

"Pineglades" - just a few minutes away from the hurly burly of city life. A place to relax under the shade of a tree with a good book or to indulge in some serious fun on the miniten court. Perhaps you would prefer to join friends for a game of petanque on our shady pist or take a leisurely swim in our solar heated pool? There's still plenty of time for a barbecue as the sun warms your body well into the evening in the sheltered BBQ area and you can keep an eye out for the ankle-biters in the newly revamped play-ground right alongside.

When you've done all that, what better way to finish off the evening than to indulge in our spa/sauna complex. No need to go to Club Med. Go natural at "Pineglades".

New Years Eve was a resounding success with many new members together with family and friends seeing in the New Year on the grounds for the first time. Club Sports are almost completed for the summer as well as a forum which will see some well thought out remits being presented at our AGM for consideration.

The annual Mr and Mrs Pineglades (un-beauty) contest saw the Dinosaur Family of Fred, Wilma & Pebbles head off strong competition from The Topless Twins and Mr & Mrs Weight-watchers. One would also be forgiven for thinking that our comedy panel of judges were also in the running!

Waitangi Day - An opportunity for the community of Rolleston to visit 'Pineglades" when we held the annual volleyball clash between the Canterbury Sun Club and Rolleston Volunteer Fire Brigade. Will 1996 be the year that CSC finally wrest this prestigious trophy from the Rollies? Didn't you see us on the "Paul Holmes" Show?

It was great to visit Fiveacres" and indulge in some "Hollywood" magic, but it's always good to return to the special enchantment at "Pineglades".

Kay

FREE BEACH GROUP

We were privileged to join in the "Go Natural Getaway" organised by Hellen at the South Canterbury Sun Club near Geraldine, where we met other naturists from all parts of the South Island. We enjoyed the "village green" layout which lent itself to friendship and games of petanque, etc.

Highlights of the week included the Orari Gorge forest walk and a trip to the fast-flowing Orari River where some of the more intrepid types invented a new sport dubbed "Naked white-water body surfing".

We're planning, among other things, another get-together at South Canterbury in the autumn.

In the meantime, some of our members meet almost every day at Taylor's Mistake, which seems to be accepted as a clothes-optional beach. FBG has no rules about clothing or nakedness, so feel free to join us.

"THE NETWORK"

Many enquiries have resulted from the previous listing seeking the address of "The Network". It is:

Don & Pauline Cleavin

4 Brooke Close

Rownhams Road

North Baddlesley

Hampshire S052 9FJ

U.K.

"The Network": Don and Pauline Cleavin

Dear Editor,

We are a young couple with accommodation to let. We have a pleasant three bedroom home at Hamilton with an attached self contained unit which is occupied by ourselves.

The location is convenient to Ruakura and Waikato University and the house features a private fern lined courtyard, spa pool, polished wooden floors, dishwasher, garaging and fully maintained cottage style garden.

We are seeking a non smoking professional house proud couple in the 25-35 age group prepared to pay $210 per week negotiable.

This property is quite private and ideal for like minded naturists wanting to enjoy the outdoor features of this location.

Interested persons should apply in writing to N.Z. Naturist, P.O. Box 2925, Auckland.

Yours faithfully

Verne

Dear Editor,

Ye Ha!! We won. The Waikato Outdoor Society were given planning consent for our grounds on 8 Nov. 1995.

First and most importantly I would like to thank my committee for all the help and time they put in. A big thank you to all club members for hanging in there as it was you who gave me the will and determination to keep going.

Now that the decision has been given, it still means more thinking and planning with lots of hard work yet to do. So please bare with us. Thank you all.

I would like to congratulate Kevin and Joan Sampson on their achieving Resource Consent to use their property at Katikati as a naturist resort.

Well done.

Yours in Nudism

Stan Gartner

President

Waikato Outdoor Society.

Dear Editor,

Your editorial in issue #154 regarding the discrimination toward single men by clubs was of particular interest. I first encountered this when I was 18 and trying to join my first sun club. Eventually I found one that was only too happy to have a new member be it male or female. I subsequently travelled around quite a lot, so did not bother joining any other clubs. Now in my thirties I have settled down and last summer tried to join my local club. They told me they would be happy to have me as a member, as long as I found a female to join with me or when a position for a single male became available.

I am sure this scenario sounds familiar to a lot of single men, and there are a couple of points I would like to make to the powers that be on their behalf.

Firstly, this blatant discrimination appears to run contrary to what the nudist movement is all about. We often read that nudism is about the freedom to enjoy life without the restriction of clothes, not about sex. Yet it is sex which forms a basis for club membership and prohibits a large number of people from enjoying this freedom.

Secondly, do you think that all these men will remain single forever? I can guarantee that the majority will get married and have children just like everybody else, and while not all will remain in the club there will be those that do.

I doubt if many men join a club in the hope of meeting women, it is more likely they will use the club to introduce them to the nudist lifestyle.

Thirdly, I have to wonder if some club executives really want their club to grow, or do they simply want to maintain their little circle of friends with the addition of the occasional new family group, as and when they come along? Can they not see that if the club really is going to grow, of course there will be imbalances but these will get less as numbers increase. It would be interesting to hear from the large clubs like AOHC with their experiences on this matter.

Lastly, I would just like to add that I now have a wonderful partner whom I have introduced to nudism. We would love to join a club for the social aspect, but there is no way we will be joining the one which didn't want me as a member in the first place.

Yours sincerely,

Phil Naylor

Dear Editor,

I write to support the views of Delia, PRO NZ Nudist Federation, which she expounded so clearly in her contribution to the December issue of your excellent magazine. In a country such as ours, blessed on the whole with a mild and lovely climate, nudism or naturism, call it what you will, should flourish.

Indeed, at the recent superb rally hosted by Wellington Sun Club, my identical twin cousin from that club in Auckland known as AOHC tried to recite a short poem of mine, which I had stupidly shown to him and which advocated total nudity. Alas, he was in a highly inebriated state and made an awful hash of it as well as making a ridiculous example of himself.

He brought shame on our family and his club. I understand that AOHC is making quiet but firm arrangements for him to leave as quickly as possible. There are rumours that he may try to join HBSC but I will strongly oppose any such plan.

For the benefit of those members at the rally and your wider readership I now append my unadulterated little poem.

To wear just the costume of Eden

is indeed a delightful freedom.

It's so natural

should be done by all.

We could be first ALL NUDIST NATION

Yours naturally

Keith Corkill

Dear Editor,

A friend once told me of a visit he had once made to a nudist club. Quite a number of adults and children were there, but there was very little activity. Most adults were just sitting and standing around talking, apart from the swimming pool the kids had no other facilities or amusements. No adults were bothering about the youngsters, and left them to their own devices. In fact, he said, the whole bunch of kids seemed bored stiff.

So, he asked around for a ball, and something for a bat and got a really fun game of cricket under way. Soon the happy sounds of children playing enlivened the whole atmosphere. When it came lunch-time and my friend was very glad to have a rest, he though that was enough exercise for him for one day. He is no longer a youngster. but the kids came to him and wanted him to join in another game. He did start if off again to their delight, but had to give it away fairly soon.

But the point of it all is surely this:

the club that does not cater for their youth, or does not provide various facilities and become actively involved with them - who are our future, is just stagnating along and getting nowhere.

Our movement needs life, not endless discussions bemoaning the lack of memberships coming in or the number of members being lost. Take a real interest in youth, give them things to do, always try to have an active programme for them.

Nudist club life for children is surely their best education. Where else do they see the open visual and natural evidence of pregnancy, infancy, growth into puberty, then adulthood and progression into later stages of life? Children are not born with prejudices, or guilt, or sin either; these are "educated" into their minds by their elders.

Photo: Les Olsen

It seems logical therefore that parents who have the enlightenment to take them to nudist clubs, or places of nature (woodlands and streams, beaches etc) where they can be interested, happy and play naked in a natural environment, will be giving them a fully balanced, unbiased education in life.

John Trotter

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. 156 March 1996

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:

Les Olsen (09) 4445015

Business Manager:

Laurel Olsen

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 Secretary NZNF
P.O. Box 74-257
Market Rd PO
Auckland 1005

President: Brent Thomson
Tel/Fax (09) 279 3771

Secretary: Peter Moosberger
tel/fax: (09) 520-0796

National Nudist Information Freephone
0800 574 932

Applications for membership of Clubs should be made direct to the Club Secretary (see Club Directory).

PHOTO CREDITS

Doug Ball - P11a, P14b, P16, P17, IBC, BC

Les Olsen - IFC, P1, P10, P11b, P14a, P15, P20, P22, IBC

Doug Cousins - P4

Tony Hodkiss - FC P8, P9

Terry Barnett - P6

Robbert Broekstra - P5

Graham Hall - P7

DEADLINES FOR COPY

157 June 1996 - 20 April 1996

158 September 1996 - 25 July 1996

159 December 1996 - 1 October 1996

160 March 1997 - 30 January 1997