# 188 - March 2004

[The New Zealand Naturist] (Pages: 24)

Contents:-

Go Natural Brand
Golden Days - Top of the South
Teddy Bears Picnic - Pineglades Style (Glenne van Haandel)
A Jules Verne Journey
Garden Fiesta (Wellington)
Samurai Beach 2003
Alpine Lakes Group Adventures
Garden Fiesta Sports (Murray Nash)
Club News (4)
From the President's Desk
Rallying 'round Rolleston (Glenne van Haandel)
Oranui Games 2004
Obituary: Doug Cousins
NZ Club Directory: (24)
Australian Club Directory: (38)

Editor: Les Olsen

Features:-

Obituary: Doug Cousins

It was with very real sorrow that Margaret and I received word today of the passing of Doug Cousins, Foundation Member and Patron of Wellington Naturist Club, and who also served many terms as Secretary, Treasurer and Official Photographer of the Club. Doug died on 18 December, 2003 aged 75 years.
We knew Doug since he was about 16 years old. It was about the year 1949 that I advertised my large weekend property on the Plateau, Te Marua for sale.
As a result, we were visited by three sun-tanned gentlemen who expressed an interest in the 9¾ acre lot.
They were Doug's father, Percy Cousins who was to become the Founder of the original Club (Wellington Sun & Health Society, and acknowledged 'Father' of the Nudist movement in New Zealand, Ray Thompson, and Brian Young.
I think it was Ray Thompson who was spokesman for the trio - he introduced the trio as representing 'a group of tired businessmen who wanted to buy a property for weekend recreation' (said with a twinkle in his eyes).
The property was too large for the group as at that time, and had a number of other disadvantages. Although a sale did not eventuate, they kindly invited us to attend a winter social at the Cousin's Wellington home, where we met Perc's wife Phyllis, and Doug. We attended the social, and a few more at various venues, and an outdoor meeting at Wainuiomata, and we liked the folk that came along, and decided that their way of life and recreation suited us.
We got to know Doug very well, and to admire the way he coped with his affliction, being stone deaf as a result of meningitis. He was a typical teenager, very active, loved playing teniquoits and volleyball, and had an infectious sense of humour. He was also an indefatigable worker for our cause, which was to gain acceptance of nude living from the general public.
Doug was also an active Rover Scout and an active member of the NZ Forest & Bird Protection Society, and a very keen tramper. He was also widely travelled.
We have been readily able to accept Doug as a real friend and co-member of our beautiful club, and he will be sadly missed. He was also a keen conservator of plant life, and for many years collected seedlings and larger plants and young trees, and transplanted them to beautify our lovely grounds at Five Acres.
Doug was a storehouse of knowledge and wisdom which we were able to tap and use as the Club grew in size, with facilities I believe to be second to none in New Zealand.
In recent years, Doug suffered a severe bout of illness, but bounced back and appeared to be in better health than ever, but his passing was the result of a motor accident.
Our memories of Doug can only be good ones.

Aubrey M. Fitton

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