# 170 - September 1999 

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3

6

An Invitation To Women

Destination -
North Queensland

'Nude Zealand'

Photo: Brian Williams

Photo: John Groombridge

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25

Club News -

Letters to the Editor

Ngatuhoa - 1999

9

Auckland Outdoor Health Club -
50th Anniversary

Photo: Les Olsen

T he First Step... is the most difficult to take... What should I expect?... Will I be stared at?... Must I disrobe immediately?... I'm overweight; will I be ridiculed if I am hesitant?... I have an ugly scar; will others find that offensive?... What about my stretch marks?... Where should I look?

These are common concerns expressed by women prior to crossing the threshold into a clothing-free world. After that first apprehensive step, however, each concern is answered:

It far surpassed my expectations!... No one stared; they smiled and welcomed me!... I was allowed to find my level of comfort in my own time; no pressure, no hassles!... Naturists accept my physical imperfections, and take interest in the beauty of my soul and my mind!... I found myself looking at smiles and happy eyes and, most of all, enjoying the sincerity of others warmth!

The question then becomes... What took me so long?!

Last year "An Invitation to Women", a day set aside for women only to help them make that first step was held on a national basis for the first time. Many clubs got right in behind this promotion, others were stymied through members unable or unwilling to allow our women friends, normally too nervous or embarrassed in the presence of males, this unique opportunity.

This year, due to financial assistance from the Percy Cousins Trust, the NZNF will provide subsidised promotional material for clubs that wish to take part in "An Invitation to Women" on Saturday 20 November.

"Go Natural... It's a Women's World" a colourful and informative glossy brochure, has been specifically designed with women in mind. The NZNF is indebted to the women who have allowed publication of their photos. With this brochure, a personal invitation will be included for club members to present to their women friends, be they mothers, sisters, aunties, cousins, girlfriends, work colleagues; inviting them to take part in activities on a day set aside for women only.

Clothes free recreation offers a safe, leisure pastime for women and children. A place where we as women can feel comfortable and at ease in spite of all the less than perfect image we have of ourselves.

As I have stressed before, this is not about excluding men, it is about encouraging women to give them confidence, health and vitality and most of all self esteem in a supportive environment that they will not find elsewhere.

Kay in among the schist at the Orchard Sun Club. Photo: Brian Williams 

Thanks to those of you who promote clothes free recreation in a positive manner, we continue to have a very promising national image. General conversation reveals there are many women who are comfortable about sunbathing or skinny-dipping in their own home or with friends. Let's all make a concerted effort this year and help other women to make their first step into our wonderful world.

Kay Hannam

President NZNF

Not wishing to travel very far afield for our most recent overseas naturist holiday and after reading their advertisement in Sun and Health, we decided to give Rogin and Linda Taylor's 'Taylorwood', in Northern Queensland a try. A telephone call to them resulted in a very prompt supply of brochures, maps, and photographs for our perusal.

As a result, at 6.05am on a miserably cold and windy June morning, we flew out from Wellington, arriving in Brisbane about 3½ hours later, greeted by rain. An auspicious start, we thought.

Originally, we were to have a wait of several hours before our connecting flight to Proserpine, a town just a few kilometres away from Taylorwood. However, on checking in at the Flight West Airlines counter after we had been through Customs, we were told that an early morning flight was boarding in about ½ an hour, and there was time for us to take the shuttle bus from the new International Terminal to the Domestic Terminal, with time to spare. The thought of getting to our destination several hours earlier prompted our 'Yes please!!'

The flight to Proserpine was on a new Fokker 100 jet, seating just over 90 passengers, and was nowhere nearly as cramped as the Boeing 737 flight from Wellington.

Having arrived at Proserpine in sunshine, and several hours earlier than expected, we at first had some difficulty contacting Linda, who had arranged to pick us up. After some assistance from airport staff, contact was made, and half an hour later a bright and bubbly Linda arrived to transfer us to our home for the next three weeks. As we had to pass through Proserpine on the way, she kindly stopped at the local supermarket, thus enabling us to stock up with the essentials for a couple of days. This took a little longer than expected because we found it takes just a bit longer to find one's way around a totally unfamiliar supermarket.

Taylorwood is the only naturist resort in the Whitsundays, open to adult couples only, and has been operating for less than two years. At present, the only on-site accommodation is in caravans which, Rogin had warned us, were old and very basic. On our arrival there, our clothes were off almost the moment we stepped from the car and we were taken by Linda to look over several vans available. We opted for an 8.5 metre one on the highest terrace, which had a separate bedroom, kitchen and lounge, but, most importantly, a huge fridge/freezer. After all, we needed something big to keep all our fruit juice cold!!

It was old, and it was basic, and it proved to be extremely comfortable and convenient. Being caravanners from way back, we had no problems. We must stress that Taylorwood is a budget resort. For us, this meant that our $A150.00 per week caravan hire, gave us sufficient financial leeway to hire a budget rental car (also at $A150.00 per week - including insurance and kilometres). This enabled us to travel over 1000km in three weeks, and really get to see what the area had to offer.

Photo: Lionel Meade

The resort is situated on a 30 acre hillside, the greater part of which is bush-clad, through which tracks have been cleared to offer pleasant, and not- too-strenuous strolls. Three terraces have been carved out of the hillside and the hire and visitors' caravans are spread throughout, most with bush outlook.

At the end of the lower terrace are situated Rogin's and Linda's office and home, immediately below which is the entertainment area and a tree surrounded swimming pool with an ample supply of sun loungers. About a dozen peacocks offer a real splash of colour.

The entertainment area is a long building, open on three sides, with the enclosed end housing a storeroom, toilets and shower. One end of the open area is a bar and TV lounge, in the middle are the dining tables, and at the end a bench, sink and all the cooking utensils. Tea, coffee, milk and sugar are in continuous supply. Along the swimming pool side is a maxi barbecue, with sufficient space to cook for a small army. A microwave, mini oven, and gas rings complete the picture. Three refrigerators are also available for the quests to use.

Communal cooking and dining is encouraged and the entertainment area is most certainly the focus for social activities from late afternoon until the last person turns off the TV and goes to bed. It was a new and thoroughly enjoyable experience for us. Naturally, there was more than just a little bit of Oz/Kiwi banter, with the Kiwis perhaps winning in the Borax stakes.

The majority of our fellow guests were middle-aged to retired couples, spending several months towing a caravan around Australia. Many, like us, were spending several weeks at Taylorwood. Some had come from as far afield as Perth and Melbourne.

Makes towing a caravan from Wanganui to Katikati a bit of a doddle, doesn't it?

Anew laundry and ablution block is nearing completion and planning approval for up to ten 6m by 4m units has been given, but the starting date for these may be some distance down the track.

According to classical mythology, Proserpine was the daughter of Ceres, the goddess of agriculture and the town takes its name from her. Sugar cane grows to the roadside throughout the area and the town has one of Queensland's six cane mills, processing from June through until December. In 1897 it processed just 11,000 tons. By 1998, that had increased to 2,050,015 tons.

Proserpine has a good shopping centre, including one of those family or farmers' co-op stores that were so much part of the scene in almost every small New Zealand town. The Information Centre on the outskirts was brilliant and should be an early port of call for every visitor.

23km on is Lake Proserpine, a huge man-made water storage lake, overlooked on its far side by the the conical Mount Pluto - another Greek mythological connection. On the lake's edge are several recreational areas complete with shelters, toilets and electrically operated barbecues, all in immaculate condition. The lake also has a boat ramp and is well stocked with fish. We were in a large party from Taylorwood who visited and had a most enjoyable BBQ - even though it had to be textile.

Within half an hour's drive of Taylorwood is the resort town of Airlie Beach. The main street backs onto a palm lined beach and is separated from the water by a narrow strip of lawn and shelter trees. It is reminiscent of a low rise Waikiki, without hordes of tourists.

Numerous travel agents offer all sorts of deals, involving in the main, the nearby Whitsunday Islands, and in recent years there has been a heavy emphasis on the backpacker market. There are several award winning restaurants offering a great variety of meals at reasonable prices. On Saturday mornings, there is a large market, with fresh fruit and vegetable stalls proving extremely popular.

Ten minutes' further on is Shute Harbour, the gateway to the Whitsundays. Numerous companies provide various forms of sea transport to the resort islands and beyond.

There are 76 islands in the Whitsundays, of which nine are resorts. These are the only islands permitted to continue development the rest must remain pristine. All offer lush vegetation, white coral beaches, and the bluest of seas. A great pity so many postcard photographs were polariser enhanced because it's simply not necessary.

For $A15.00 return, we took a 20 minute ferry ride to South Molle Island. Whilst the resort buildings look fine to us, we understand that the new owners intend to demolish and rebuild. This island has the finest walkways we have ever experienced. Within half an hour of landing, we had a small coral beach, looking across to Daydream Island, entirely to ourselves for the duration of our stay. Of course we spent the day in the nude!!

Daydream Island is also a popular resort, but with up to 800 guests on its 25 acres, is most certainly not the naturist's idea of paradise.

Whilst nudity on the beach is not legal in Queensland, people exercising a certain degree of circumspection certainly do go nude.

In the Bare Facts of Oz, there are two nude beaches between Airlie Beach and Shute Harbour listed. To get there, one involves a 200 metre drive over the roughest road imaginable, the other a 20 minute walk from the car park. We visited both and were the only naturists there.

An hour's drive from Taylorwood, we discovered Bowen and its fabulous nude beach beyond the beautiful Horseshoe Bay. It has a small coral sand beach, a few casuarina trees for shade and the most remarkable rock formations. At no time on our 3 visits there were there more than half a dozen, all naturists, to be seen.

The timing of our North Queensland visit was deliberately meant to coincide with their winter, with its reasonable day temperatures, low humidity and minimal rainfall. Although the day temperatures were in the mid 20's, night-time temperatures often went down to 6 - up to 10 degrees below average and we found that we had insufficient warm clothing and had to ask for extra bedding.

The area offered far more than we ever imagined. Visitors who simply want to blob out can do so in style, whilst there is plenty to keep even the most active visitor fully occupied 24 hours a day.

Taylorwood was so conveniently situated and for us it was the ideal base. Rogin and Linda were most hospitable hosts and in a few years' time, we would love to revisit and see just how their dream has materialised.

Further information:

Lionel or Kevin, Rose's Cottage, at "Westmead", Phone/Fax 06 368 0232

Photo: Lionel Meade

Photo: Rogin Taylor 

Nude Zealand... What a program!

The New Zealand Naturist Federation is indebted to the OUTSTANDING people who contributed to the success of this television documentary. As Les Olsen said some time ago, before it went to air, "we have waited 50 years for this" and finally watching the outcome around lam the following morning of the screening of TV3's Inside New Zealand programme, I can only say it was worth the wait. I am proud of you all. Even to those who felt at the time, that their club or organisation could have been included and weren't, to the many, many people who gave up their time for interviews, only to be thrown on the cutting room floor. All contributed in one way or another and most certainly should benefit in the long term. Each and every one on you gave a tremendous insight into nudism/naturism, clothes free recreation... call it what you will.

The degree of openness by naturists taking part was amazing.

The opening prelude at Nelson Sun Club, where we were introduced to Jennie and Peter Crawley, new members keen to tell of their experiences. Then a visit by the Rolleston Volunteer Fire Service for their Annual Waitangi Day visit and Debbie Birmingham's frank and honest interview at Pineglades, one of many we were treated to. "Global Naturists" Geoff and Wendy Fenn, described the benefits of visiting other naturist venues in their mobile home. The hot stream at Rotota, a neighbourhood barbecue at our own clothes free homestay Aoraki Naturally, then back north to the popular Mapua Leisure Park to meet with Kathy Trott. Golf at Sunrise, barbecue and petanque at Five Acres, beaches.

Now we all know that Colin King's first foray into nudism was at Waitaki Boys High in the 1930's where the Principal made the kids swim in the nude. "It was compulsory and what's more, a genuine nudist never wears anything to bed". Other naturists interviewed at Auckland Outdoor Health Club also opened up their lives and their hearts.

Best of all it showed we have "FUN"

I'm told there were some 160 hours spent filming to produce almost an hour of 'actual' screen time. The resulting documentary gave a balanced view of interest and educational value to several thousand television viewers and in particular, for future use as a promotional tool by naturist clubs and organisations.

TV3 had one of it's highest ratings ever for a documentary that evening: 16% for 5 plus i.e. everyone over 5; 21% for 18-44yrs.

A HUGE THANK YOU has been passed on to all those involved at Ninox Films and TV3's Inside New Zealand Team who provided us with this wonderful opportunity. The countless hours of discussion prior to the idea being suggested to TV3 is worth mention. If it had not been for the courteous manner and respectful way in which the researchers and those involved in this production carried out their roles, none of this would have been possible.

Further success of this documentary will no doubt be measured by prospective members and others keen to sample the freedom we can offer.

Perhaps this message received a couple of days later sums it up.

"Hi, my name is Janine, and I watched the documentary 'Nude Zealand' (quaint name...) last night. What an excellent programme that was. I always thought that naturist camps were for middle-aged weirdos, and boy was I proved wrong!!! I have always had a very bad body image, but seeing all those people on TV, at the various camps, made me think twice where to spend my next holiday (not that I get any). I have decided that someday I will visit a camp, and yours actually looked pretty darn good!

I wish you all the very best, and maybe one day I will actually come down to Lake Tekapo and stay."

All the best

Janine (not her real name)

Among my own personal goals is one I made some years ago. "That with your continued involvement, clothes free recreation will become an accepted and valued choice". This past twelve months has seen the documentation by the media of our lifestyle as a far more acceptable and credible leisure recreation. To those of you who have not been dragged "kicking and screaming" from your closets" all I can say is it looks a whole lot healthier out here now. We have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, so SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS!

Kay Hannam

Article and photos by Kay Hannam and Brian Williams

Pineglades v Rolleston Fire Brigade.All article photos: Brian Williams 

Ninox film crew at lunchtime barbecue at Aoraki Naturally - Central Otago.

The Auckland Outdoor Health Club celebrated its 50th birthday on Saturday 28th August 1999 with a formal Anniversary Dinner in a large marquee erected on the club grounds especially for the occasion.

Members enjoy a picnic by the stream - Oratia, circa 1950.

The Mayor of Waitakere City, Bob Harvey - our patron - was the official guest of honour and spoke favourably in support of the clubs development and praised the members for their tenacity in reaching the current milestone.

The early development of naturism in the Auckland Region began around 1932. The resultant poor publicity of the initial attempt to form a club, delayed the start until a more favourable opportunity presented itself in 1935.

Bert Brittain who owned a small farmlet at Te Atatu - West Auckland - began the practise of naturism after purchasing an early edition of Health and Efficiency; a British naturism magazine; in which the benefits of nude sunbathing were outlined as being beneficial to ones health.

His wife Helen although reluctant initially to join in naturism did so eventually on outings with like minded friends. To supplement his modest farm income, Bert decided to start a travelling book exchange and this bought him into contact with other people who were interested in naturism.

Bert writes - I was making my weekly visits to customers at New Lynn and at one house said to the lady how lovely her little baby boy looked lying nude in his pram in front of their house.

I mentioned how interested I was in the benefits derived from full exposure to the suns rays. I asked her if she had heard about the "Health and Efficiency" magazine which I got regularly. She replied that she and her husband also read H & E regularly and were keenly interested in sunbathing.

All otherwise unatributed photos in this article are either
by Les Olsen or taken from the AONC archive.

Nothing more was said then, but the following week when I called again she said she had told her husband about my interest in the sun and that I was just getting my wife to join in with me.

He had suggested that my wife Helen and I visit them at their section in Titirangi where they went each weekend and that they had a one room bach there.

I discussed this offer with Helen, who wasn't too willing for quite a time but I did manage to persuade her to let me accept the offer and we went up the next weekend and so we started a long friendship with Ida and Allan Baldwin.

3rd Naturist Rally-goers AOHC - Kaurimu Oratia - 1955

A little later Kath and Arthur Walton joined with the other four and thus began the formation of the first group of people in organised nudist activity in the Auckland region.

The foundation of Auckland Outdoor Health Club is inextricably linked to these humble beginnings and as word spread, a number of other family groups joined in the activities. With the outbreak of World War II there was difficulty in maintaining the group of 60 plus members. Petrol restrictions and wartime duty for some caused the group to disband around 1941.

Bert and Helen purchased a 43/4 acre section on West Coast Road, Oratia, in 1941 and over the following years managed to build a one room bach which later on became the headquarters

for the Auckland Outdoor Health Club whilst it was located there.

In 1944, Bert renewed his acquaintance with Eric Flint and his wife who had recently moved to Auckland from Dunedin. Eric had been associated with a failed attempt to start a nudist club in Dunedin in 1933. Soon after their meeting, Eric Flint purchased a property just down the road from Bert Brittain's property. Eric named his property "Kaurivale" and developed this as a naturist site which later became the "Kaurimu" Sun Club. Throughout the years of its existence, it was maintained as a proprietary club and closed eventually in 1969.

Bert and Helen had maintained loose contact with the members of their earlier group and with the end of

World War II, travel was easier and the members again visited the property now at Oratia. Along with the friends associated with Erics' development, pressure was put on Bert and Helen to form a new club. Although reluctant to do so, Bert offered the use of his property and facilities for the formation of the new group in 1949.

Following the death of his wife Helen in 1953, Bert withdrew from active participation of club activities and soon afterwards sold all of the property except the 1/4 acre site on which his home stood.

Norman Murray; who at the time worked as an orderly at Waikato Hospital, purchased the property from Bert and allowed continued use of the facilities in exchange for the members maintaining the grounds.

Photo: Les Olsen

Photo: Graham Hall 

This provided a greater area for casual camping and retained the natural native bush setting with suitable walking tracks so that the members could view the native flora and fauna at their leisure.

Following completion of the extension to the clubhouse in 1974, attention was then directed to the development of the top paddock as a camping area suitable for caravan access. Many hours were spent felling trees, levelling the ground and installing power and water. The toilet and shower facility known as "Yarrowonga" was built in 1982 so that the campers did not then need to walk a great distance to the showers at the swimming pool.

The Paramuku Stream runs through the club grounds providing a natural division of the property into an upper and lower area. With the installation of the sewer system throughout the grounds, a footbridge was built to provide a more direct route between the two levels. An adventure playground was built for the children from the funds donated by Norman Murray on his death in 1981.

Norman had maintained his interest in the development of AOHC during his later life and since he had sold his interest in the then flourishing Auckland Sun Club.

Throughout the 1980's and 1990's refinements and additions were made to the club facilities providing for the games of mini-tennis, petanque, a licensed bar facility and barbecue area.

Sewer reticulation of the club grounds had been completed in the early 1980's.

Oranui 1960 - Rally-goers listen to Perc Cousins (Naturist founder) outline the future
direction of the organisation in New Zealand.

But it was not until December 1998 that the final connection was made to the city sewer system, as the development of the nearby adjoining properties commenced.

With the death of Bert Brittain in 1985, the last of the early pioneers then disappeared. In the interim, a new group of leaders had taken up the challenge to develop naturism throughout the country. The establishment of some 23 clubs and resorts over many years was testament to the ground breaking enthusiasm of such persons as Bert Brittain, Perc Cousins, Ivan Mowlem, Eric Flint and many others along with the endearing support of their wives.

The recent television programme "Nude Zealand" has received favourable support in the community and many enquiries have been received from members of the public interested in joining the club.

With the club reaching its 50th Anniversary milestone, the continued development of the property and the enthusiasm of the members in providing even greater facilities, this will ensure that Auckland Outdoor Health Club will be a place of enjoyment for the many naturists who will take part in nude recreation well into the new millennium

By the time this magazine is on the news-stands, AOHC will have achieved its 50th Anniversary on 28th August 1999.

Preparations are underway to celebrate with a three course dinner prepared by our team of lady members who have prepared our mid winter dinners in the past. There will also be a wine and cheese function and an open day on the Sunday to conclude the festivities.

The TV documentary 'Nude Zealand' has captured the imagination of many people since it screened on TV3 recently.

In fact we had our first membership enquiry re the club facilities during the first ad break. Family, friends and work colleagues have all expressed good wishes for the forthright approach taken to this project.

All persons who took part in the filming - whether in the final on screen program or not - are to be complimented for taking part. Thank you. This must surely be the greatest boost to our naturist activities that we have had since the outset in the early 1930's. Membership enquiries are welcome at all times.

The first clubhouse built on the Brittain property at Oratia in 1950.

One aim is to attract new members, get together with other clubs and preserve the wonderful assets that our members have put so much effort in to create over the past 60 years.

We intend to do this by increasing our membership rather than our fees. And already our $2 per course dinners (2nd Sunday of the month) and our new evening saunas with a light $3 meal (3rd Wednesday of the month) prove very popular.

We have a special treat: our geodesic dome, built by Al, nudist, juggler, inventor and engineer. Thank you, Al. It offers 42sqm of sunbathing area on cold but sunny days. It traps the sun's warmth inside but keeps the wind outside. The special skin covering the dome also filters the dangerous UV-rays making sunburn impossible. It can even be moved with only five people in 10 minutes. The zoom swing (a cross between a flying fox and a swing) is another one of Al's inventions and great fun for kids of all ages. (For technical details have a look at www:nznaturally.org.nz/asc). Yes, we are on the internet now, thanks, Pam!

I am looking forward to the future development of our club, all the places to visit, all the visitors to have, all the discussions and arguments, all the obstacles to overcome and to meet you, one day.

Wolfgang

Almost 3 years ago my wife Brigit and I visited the Auckland Sun Club for the first time and my first reaction was: woh, what a place. Immediately the only way I could describe it, was: a sanctuary for human beings, a perfect environment to relax in and be yourself.

Since then we got more and more involved in helping to look after this little paradise of ours - and I have recently been made the new president of our club. Our new committee is now very busy setting goals and priorities and organising activities.

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Join the Wellington Sun Club for "Simply the Best" way
to welcome in the new Millennium.

27th December 1999 - 3rd January 2000

For as little as $85 per adult (if paid by 31st October)

treat your family to the holiday of a lifetime.

For further details please write to:

Wellington Sun Club, PO Box 2854, Wellington, New Zealand.
E-mail wsc@clear.net.nz
Phone Ken or Judith Mercer (04) 232 0290
View our web site at www.nznaturally.org.nz/wellington

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48th National Rally

The Wanganui Sun Club has taken its first step forward to the future. One of our members is now living 7 minutes from town in a house that has a pool room with enough space to put an indoor bowls mat down. The property is at the end of a road and is private.

Thanks to Colin we have limited access to this home.

A couple of weeks after he moved in, we had our first very impromptu get together. A BBQ was quickly organised after which a few games of pool were played. One lady who shall remain nameless had not played before and came up with some very original ideas why she couldn't hit the ball. We had a lot of laughs at each other and declared the night a huge success.

Our 1999 A.G.M. was held there and after that we had a sausage sizzle with onions, homemade soup, mushrooms from around the farm, a few beers and a jug of red wine (a box actually). A very pleasant way to spend the day."

Membership enquiries are always welcome to P0 Box 410, Wanganui.

Carol

Two fine summers in a row plus some excellent social activities have contributed to the increase in membership of FBG.

Believe it or not, even more people are turning up during the winter months to join in our clothes-optional swim/relax sessions held at the indoor tepid pool attached to the Burwood hospital. These monthly sessions are extra good value, both socially and financially.

A "pot-luck" lunch and general meeting has been held to discuss plans for next summer's outdoor programme and summer camp; this will be available soon through the FBG national newsletter.

To catch a glimpse of our year-round activities, click on to our picture gallery at http://homepages.infoseek.com/~fbgcanty/

Joyce Fleming

The mid winter swim went off with a splash and surprisingly enough although the water was a mild 11 degrees there were only a couple of the hardy creatures who actually swam 2 full lengths. The men of the club went into the big pool and we think it was men who came out. One of our younger ladies (aged 2) went into the bigger of the children's pool and of all the swimmers, she was the only one that wanted to stay there. (Who said the youth of today weren't as hardy as in days gone by).

The sun was shining and it was lovely and warm on the clubhouse deck and that was where everyone sat to have their afternoon tea and to chat. Surprisingly for this time of year, nearly everyone stayed undressed and allowed the warm rays of the sun to thaw chilled bones.

The grounds are looking good at present and our groundsman works tirelessly to keep them that way.

While the weather is colder it is encouraging to receive so many enquiries about the club. We have sent out many brochures to prospective members and with the summer coming we are hopeful that our membership numbers will increase yet again. The members are what makes the Club a warm and friendly place to be at all times of the year and from our AGM in August we can expect there to be many more people enjoying our fine facilities.

Candace

It was berrying time away outback

With the blackberries

hanging in bunches

And we all picked our fill at the

top of the hill

Before we went down for our lunches

Where all in the nude we

relished our food

Be it sandwiches, salads or crunches.

Not a breeze in the air,

there was joy everywhere

And the bell-birds sang songs in the trees

There was Dot, there was Lester,

the Group's Jolly Jester

Stretched out and completely at ease.

But soon there was talk of

the cooling bush walk

On the moss covered track through

the glade

But some lay and some sat,

on the bank just to chat

Or to dream and relax in the shade.

Some gazed at the pool looking

glacially cool

Some looked for a nice cooling breeze,

But with temperatures rising

it wasn't surprising

They cooled off in the Pool ten degrees.

All days have to end,

and this one my friend

Had passed swiftly by like a dream.

We gathered at four and

most of us swore

What a fabulous day it had been.

Then all the free beachers got into

their breeches

And packed up to get on their way.

In our hearts ere we went,

by common consent

We blessed Joyce for our wonderful day.

Kevin Gdanitz

Free Beach Group

The Australian Nudist Federation (A.N.F.) mourns two pioneers of Australian nudism - and fine gentlemen - Sandy McDonald and Ted Weston.

On 8 May, 1999 Sandy died, one month before his 96th birthday. He gave great service to the nudist movement from the 1950's, as a campaigner for legal free (nude) beaches, an ambassador during his European travels in the 60's and 70's, and A.N.F. President 1973-75. Although never married, Sandy became a personal friend to many people - who claimed him as "family" - myself included.

Now it is my further sad duty to report the death of my wonderful husband, Ted Weston, who died 22 May, 1999, aged 71 years.

For over thirty years Ted gave exceptional service to the Australian nudist movement, holding office as Vice President and President of our federation 1971-72, an ardent free beach campaigner, representative to New Zealand Nudist Federation Convention 1978, and I.N.F. Congress 1980, club delegate for Corio Valley Nudist Club to A.N.F. conventions on numerous occasions, and together with this writer - always using our correct, full names, and encouraging others, particularly club executives, to do the same - to stand up honestly and proudly for our nudist ideals.

Australian nudism owes an enormous debt of gratitude to Sandy and Ted. They will be very sadly missed.

Mary Weston, OAM,

Archivist

Australian Nudist Federation

(P.S. The NZNF Executive and NZ Naturist team members extend sincere condolences to Mary Weston and to relatives of Sandy McDonald during this time of sadness. Ed)

Photo: Les Olsen

We have been busy over the winter break with working bees getting the pool ready for summer. The clubrooms are also getting a lick of paint.

On the social scene we have had a mid-winter swim and pot luck dinner. A few hardy soles took the plunge for a very short swim.

Feedback from the 'Nude Zealand' documentary has been very positive and we have received many enquiries re membership.

There is always something happening at the club and visitors from other clubs and prospective members are always welcome. See the club directory at the back of this magazine.

Goodbye from everyone at Counties Sun Club.

The Free Beach Group, of which I have been a member for around 10 years, wish to expound the beauties of Ngatuhoa Camp in the Kaimai Ranges. I have had the honour of overseeing this annual event for some years now and always enjoy the gift that this special part of New Zealand gives to all who visit.

Next year (22 to 30 January, 2000) we have planned to celebrate the new millennium and Fred Bear's 25th birthday, culminating in a mini-rally, Free Beach style on the last weekend.

We plan to have a hangi meal, a jazz band, a pig-on-a-spit with liquid refreshments available; and our Fancy Undress Ball with Disco on the Saturday Night. Sunday will start with a "Bare Teddy's" picnic brunch for those who are not too "poorly", followed by a games afternoon; and the day will be completed with a "trivial pursuit" evening - always a fun event!

Ngatuhoa Lodge is used most of the year by schools as an outdoor education centre for the Bay of Plenty and we are privileged to be able to use the facility for 10 days during the summer school holidays. It has all the amenities one could want for a relaxed camping holiday and for those not so equipped, there is a 48 bed accommodation block, available to those who register early. Amenities include flush toilets, hot showers, large gas kitchen, barbecues, electric light and power, refrigeration, a safe reliable water supply. A Kent log fire throws out the heat if the nights are cool, or the weather becomes unkind for "club uniform".

The beauty of surrounding native bush, canals, rivers, magnificent water falls, long and short walking tracks, while away the days for the more energetic. Activities around the lodge include volleyball, petanque, canoes, flying fox, glow worms, Burma trail and the usual "happy hour" watching the sun retreat behind the bush covered hills.

Not only does Ngatuhoa have the solitude and peace of its surroundings, but also the warmth and convivial atmosphere of friends old and new that we meet here every year. It is with this in mind that we invite past Free Beach members, sun-clubbers, nud-vanners and naturists to come and join the celebrations of Fred Bear's 25th birthday and the new millennium. Ngatuhoa 2000, put it on your calendar.

There is a discount for those who register before 15 November 1999. For more information, check our web site - http://www.nznaturally.org.nz/FreeBeach/ or write to P0 Box 30-099, Lower Hutt.

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor

I read with avid interest the letter from Doug Ball (June Issue) regarding Naturism in France and agree wholeheartedly with some of his comments.

It occurred to me how fortunate we would be to have such a huge population in a relatively small area from which to draw our membership, especially when we do have the room and the facilities.

On a more personal note I would like to share with your readers a true anecdote from the last rally that shows one of the many reasons that we adult Kiwi nudists don't get our gear off all the time.

I was running the shop during our last rally in the Manawatu, with a large band of very willing and efficient helpers. Our ice cream freezer was directly opposite the shop counter and extremely deep. Reaching into the chilly depths meant that a lot more anatomy was clearly visible than normal and I didn't feel comfortable subjecting our patrons to that type of "extra service" - so began wearing a sarong around my waist. (A lot tidier!!) But then, the unthinkable happened. Whilst reaching for a vanilla trumpet, right near the bottom of the freezer, a nipple attached itself to the the ice and was only extricated with difficulty and extreme discomfort. From then on the sarong was full length. So you see, there are many reasons we wear clothing at times and I'm sure that certain body-part piercing could make playing mini ten without shorts most uncomfortable.

Thank heavens that here in New Zealand we can be true nudists and enjoy the wonderful lifestyle, but be comfortable without guilt when the need arises.

Candace Turner

I travelled to Tauranga yesterday to attend the funeral of a very dear friend. The enclosed will tell its own story for you; it was a painful farewell for one of natures' finest gentleman I have ever had the pleasure to know.

I had been with him to Rotota on a number of occasions stopping for week-ends, or whatever times we made possible from my job in the old Tauranga Milk Factory. I think he may have been over 80 years of age, last time we were there, and we spent quite a lot of our time staying there cutting back undergrowth and vines to clear their bush tracks to different parts of their grounds. I loved his quiet but cheerful nature. I remember times when possums visited us at nights and we caught a few in a trap that he had. One blighter even landed on the roof of the van in the wee - small - hours one morning and really startled us. "KerThump"!! Gypsy Bob was a keen possum hunter those times too. Anyway we had great times there, and we really loved the Rotota atmosphere. Gwynne promoted Rotota quite a lot, through the videos he made of it.

So, I thought you may record his passing, - along perchance with some of what I've written here - in your next edition of N.Z. Naturist.

Sincerely

John Trotter

(On the one occasion that I met Gwynne, I found him to be a sincere and dedicated person for naturism. Ed.)

Dear Editor,

I write in support of comments by Doug Ball in issue 169. The current teenage resistance to swimming naked - in my day I would have died for the regular opportunity to do so - seems to be yet another product of our so - called enlightened times. Peers and the media seem to dictate a robot-like conformity, a handing down from on high of what is cool and what isn't. If this indicates a death of the individual, of the callings of the inner spirit, of a freedom to innocently experience what is sensuous, joyous and wholesome, then we are witnessing something that is very sad. Hopefully as maturity is gained and wisdom grows, youth will again rediscover the delight of living out what is innate and self-fulfilling. Until then, and I say this without being arrogant or condescending, adults of integrity and good intention, have to adopt the weapons of those who seek to dehumanise our young, and use all the rhetorical devices of persuasion - print, photography and film, as well as, of course, personal word and example, to show that what is "cool" is really a matter of personal choice. This choice should spring from listening to that voice within us, springing from the depths of our being, not from loud noise coming from without, cold and calculating, which are manipulating innocent minds, brainwashing then towards mean-minded materialism, and mind-less conformity.

Stephen Grace

Free Beach Group

- Ngatuhoa 1999 -

A Teddy Bares Picnic, a Woolly Pig, Scrubbers, Chippers and Spitters, Painted Ladies and Men were just a few of the activity options at Ngatuhoa this year. Plus the usual walks to at least four different waterfalls, white water tubing, canoeing and much more. Ngatuhoa is a wonderful clothing and electronics free area but I'm sure the cellphone devotees had unimpeachable reasons for bringing theirs. Few other mod cons had to be sacrificed - even the VCR was played (for educational purposes, naturally). I managed to read nearly a book a day without being too antisocial, as well as conversing and indulging in other forms of active inactivity!

Bill managed to get us within spitting distance of the Woolly Pig (lamb) and later a spit of chickens, with Fern keeping him cool while he slaved over a hot fire or three. While the Spitters kept the meat turning, the Scrubbers got on with the spuds so that the Chippers (Ian and Neil) could convert aforementioned veges into elegant chips. As usual, little happens at Ngatuhoa without some drama or other and an impromptu water fight erupted between two of the Scrubbers. Amidst heaps of noise and hilarity, I got doused with potato water (fortunately the potatoes missed) and Geoff managed to run away from the really filthy potato water he was threatened with.

Our trivial pursuits Meisters Bill & Fern ran a very contemporary 80 question team event, with the winners generously sharing their liquid prizes at Happy Hour next day. Obviously the Meisters are colour blind as they were almost the only ones who got the answer to the colour of Ngatuhoa Lodge lettering wrong!

The four day Wet deterred few from making some of the longer walks and forced the transference of Ted's Bare Picnic from the Scout Camp to the Lodge. Most of us were happy enough with our natural raincoats and the drying room kept up with the supply of dry towels. The Lodge also provided a haven for those whose tents and bedding found the Wet too much to cope with.

Happy campers came from Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Wellington, Hastings, Auckland and Fiji - in a variety of cars, vans, camper-vans and campomatics, sleeping in a colourful variety of tents, vehicles and the Bunkhouse.

More than thirty of us managed some time at Ngatuhoa. Even those who arrived at the beginning of the rain and had left before the sun reappeared, managed to make the most of their visit.

The Lodge has an excellent collection of reference books which were often able to resolve a "what is that" question that resident experts couldn't identify.

Once the Flying Fox was unlocked, Bill Baine led the charge. Dick was THE encourager for those of us who; for the first time; negotiated three wires to get to the platform, onto the Flying Fox and letting go for the journey to Terra Firma.

Our final Saturday night was orchestrated by Bill Baine with the help of "resident" artists and models. For those who've never indulged in Body Painting it was yet another new Ngatuhoa experience. Even lickable Choclit was tried. The glowing Kent fire in the Lodge meant we could enjoy a comfortable temperature while painting, being painted or watching. Jamie and Travis won prizes for Dad's artwork on their faces.

Te Rere I Oturu Falls on Opuiaki StreamArticle photos: John Groombridge 

Bill B won with his Baubles, Bangles n' Beads and Graham didn't get a share of the prizes with his paintings on myself (Koru Forest) and Geoff (Crocodile). Other paintings included a Visual Symphony, various styles of Clayton's clothing! adornments (you know, the clothing! adornment you wear when you're not wearing clothing/adornments!)

The road in to the camp has an undeserved reputation. OK, it's unsealed, pot-holed, corrugated, steep in places, narrow and reasonably winding. We've driven over worse roads in our 78 Bedford CF Camper, but low speed and careful driving will make it manageable for many vehicles.

For services above and beyond the call of duty, Ted has our special thanks. Geoff (No. 2) and Maureen (Camp Mum) enabled everyone to enjoy the ten days at their own pace whilst Ted's ability with the written word on "Blackboard of the Day" has doubtless become legendary.

Graham and I believe in leaving something for the next visit and that includes experiencing the Burma Trail in the dark of night.

So, why not join us next year at the 25th Birthday Camp.

Allison & Graham

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. 170 September 1999

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

Editor:

Les Olsen Tel/Fax (09) 444 5015

Business Manager:

Laurel Olsen Tel/Fax (09) 444 5015

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

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

All correspondence should be addressed to:

P.O. Box 101014,

North Shore Mail Centre

Auckland, New Zealand

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

The Secretary NZNF: Pamla Kelly
PO Box 20498
Glen Eden, Auckland 8
Tel 09-836 3610, Fax 09-836 3657
Email: nznf.sec@xtra.co.nz

President: Kay Hannam
PO Box 76, Lake Tekapo
Tel/Fax 03-680 6549
Email: naturally@xtra.co.nz

North Island VP: Mike Kelley
Tel: 09-836 3610, Fax 09-836 3657

South Island VP: Christine Turner
Tel: 03-337 3464

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

PHOTO CREDITS

Les Olsen 1b, 12b, 13, 14, 15, 16, 20, 22, FC, IFC, IBC

Brian Williams 1a, 2, 6, 7, 8.

AOHC archive 9, 10, 11, 12a, 17, 18, 19.

Graham Hall 14d, 15b, 17, BC.

John Groombridge 1c, 25, 26

Lionel Mead 3, 5a.

Rogin Taylor 5b

DEADLINES FOR COPY

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AUSTRALIAN NUDIST CLUB DIRECTORY