National Committee

President John Groombridge

(04) 589-5461

Vice PresidentJackie Caldwell

(North Island)

Vice PresidentJoyce Fleming

(South Island)         (03) 322 7990

Secretary 

 

TreasurerJohn Groombridge

(04) 589-5461

Members 

Ian Bushett(04) 237-0193 

Linda Geeves(04) 478-4820 

John Lowe(06) 752-7915 

George North(06) 

Correspondence should be mailed to the official FBG address

LOCAL CONTACTS

Auckland Alison & Graham 

(09) 817 8266

Tauranga Ted Lidgard 

(07) 542 2344

Waikato Roger Morris 

(07) 856 8857

Taranaki John Lowe 

(06) 752 7915 

Hawkes Bay Murray Ennor 

(06) 879 6988

Sthn Hawkes Bay Hugh Bowles 

(06) 374 6238

Wellington Meryl Baker 

(04) 528 7010

Linda Geeves

(04) 478 4820

Christchurch Joyce Fleming 

(03) 322 7990

Robin Gray

(03) 389 1919

 

Secretary resigns

Jackie Caldwell has resigned her position as Secretary of the National Committee. Jackie has worked inexhaustibly for the Group and her dedication and attributes will be missed. Jackie remains a member of the National Committee.

Thank you Jackie for your contributions to the Group.

Meanwhile, Barry Marten has volunteered to attend to the day-to-day administration of members affairs.

We regret any delays that may have occurred during the transition.

New Regional Committee

At the end of January, members of the Christchurch region gathered at Joyce Fleming's home to consider the future of the
Christchurch Group. And the result was the formation of the Christchurch Regional Committee.

The new Committee consists of Joyce, Robin Gray, Gordon Sim and Grant Holland. Joyce will be the Chair, Robin will be the local contact and public relations, and Gordon will attend to the CHCH newsletter.

The formation of the Christchurch Regional Committee will be a welcome relief for Joyce, and ensure the viability of the Free Beach Group on the South Island and the Canterbury area in particular.

Well done Christchurch!

Sympathy

We extend our sympathy to Meryl Baker and family on the recent loss of her father. Members of the Wellington region sent Meryl flowers as a token of their condolence.

Thank you

Meryl, Rick, Heather & Matthew would like to thank members in the Wellington region for the recent sympathy, support and understanding, and floral tributes, after the loss of Meryl's Dad.

Thanks for everything,

Meryl

NZNF AGM Report

Congratulations to Auckland Outdoor Health Club for another successful Rally and a wonderful week of medieval madness.

The new NZNF Council elected at the Annual General Meeting on 28 December 1996 was:

President	Kay Hannam	CSC/FBG
Vice President N/I	Mike Kelly	AOHC/RSC
Vice President S/I	Christine Turner	CSC/FBG
Secretary	Peter Moosberger	ASC
Treasurer	Ian Miller	CoSC
Public Relations	Ron Blair	AOHC
Trophy Secretary	Tai Zygadlo	MOLC

Items of interest include:

The remit "that a new open over 50's miniten competition be held at the annual NZNF rally each year" was passed.

Katikati Naturist Park was admitted as a Affiliate Member of NZNF.

The Mowlem Membership Achievement Trophy was won by the South Canterbury Sun Club.

The Press Prize for the best photo selected from the NZ Naturist magazine went to Joyce Fleming for a photo in her article "Go Natural Get-away". The prize for the best article selected from the NZ Naturist magazine went to Kevin and Joan Sampson for their article "Katikati Naturist Park".

The best club newsletter was "Murray Glade Titbits" from Auckland Sun Club, and a special award went to the Canterbury Sun Club for the high profile received on the Holmes Show.

Congratulations to Wayland FBG/Wgtn who won the chess trophy.

The 1997/98 NZNF AGM will be held at Rotota Sun Club. There will not be the traditional Rally, however there will be a less formal social gathering.

Christine Turner

FBG Delegate.

Fred Bear Towels

Due to supply changes, we will be stocking only one quality 140 x 70cm 100% cotton Fred Bear towel, priced at $20.

If a mathematician writes a fantasy novel, would the pages have imaginary numbers?

Christchurch News

The Canterbury branch of the Free Beach Group Inc., arrange outings tramps, etc but tend to use Taylor's Mistake as a home base because, with the prevailing wind, shelter can usually be found at the left or right end of the beach. "Skinny dipping" has been popular at this beach for many years so there is greater tolerance for nudity. Some beach users still don't realize that it is legal to be nude on a public beach. If you see a yellow flag with a bear on it you can be sure that a member is there and would cordially welcome anyone interested. We are in an advantageous position at Taylor's Mistake as Robin, a long time member, has made contact with many of the batch owners and frequent users of the beach. He can often be seen there at most weekdays and weekends when business permits.

One can argue about the external/internal benefits of minimal clothing, but only those who allow themselves to experience it can really understand.

As with many clubs, lack of those offering to help, had meant that Joyce was a one man (for man read 'Lady') band. She now has a sub-committee to help and spread the load. We thank her not only for her past efforts but also for her continuing interest, in spite of health problems. Her Honorary Life Membership is certainly well deserved and we are delighted that her services have been so recognised.

Coming Events

15 March	Woodend Beach - Petanque at low tide- 10 am onwards - Turn left and look for yellow flag.
29 March	Tumbledown Bay - Meet at Tai Tapu garage 10 am. for car pool. ($5? for passengers)
19 April	Explore the new Halswell Quarry Park - Off Kennedy's Bush Rd. Meet at 2nd car park 10.30 am -Family outing- Could drop food/car at Joyce's place (and walk 2 km) Pot luck lunch at Joyce's place 41 Muir Ave.

How do members feel about a trip to Hanmer - possibly a family outing on a Sunday?

Warning!! Anyone with any suggestions, offers of help, leading trips etc., liable to be seized upon with open arms and hugged!

For further information re trips etc,

Phone: Robin (03) 389-1919 or Joyce (03) 322-7990

Gordon Sim

NSW Free Beaches

The New South Wales Parliament's Upper House has approved five beaches for skinny dipping.

Heartfelt and sometimes hilarious debate raged for hours on the rights and the many, many wrongs of people splashing about in the all-together.

The successful legislation names five "nude" beaches, overturning local council's previous powers to block the practice.

Before it was passed, Rev Fred Niles was quick to nominate the debate as a moral issue with possibly dire consequences. He said the beaches would give people who previously broke the law by indecently exposing themselves a chance to expose themselves legally.

The nude beaches are Lady Bay in Sydney's east, Werrong to the south of the city, and Samurai to. the north of Newcastle in the Port Stevens area. Obelisk and Cobblers (names to give Freudians plenty to think about) are in the Mosman council area on the north shore.

"Naturists" won the war but lost a significant battle because today's legislation confirmed Manly's Reef Beach would not be safe for nudists.

Extract: Evening Post, 5/1 2/96

"Modesty is a vastly overrated virtue."

John Kenneth Galbraith

A nudist need have no fear of a pick-pocket.

Spread happiness

where you go,

not when you go.

Thank You

Late last September I received a letter and a Certificate from the President of the Free Beach Group informing me that at the 1996 Annual General Meeting, I had been elected a Life Member of the Group.

This is my official thank you to all my FBG friends, and in return I would like to mention some of the benefits I have had in belonging, and how it came about.

I joined the FBG in 1980 when the group was centred in Auckland, and the South Island membership was virtually nil. The subscription was then $4 per annum, which was not much to pay to support the principles of Free Beach. The 2-monthly newsletter duly arrived and I read with envy of the social events enjoyed by people in Auckland. By sending in some photos for a competition to be judged at the 1988 A.G.M. held in Auckland, I came to the notice of the FBG secretary who urged me to co-ordinate a group in Christchurch. I had no time to demur before a list of names and phone numbers was dispatched to me with the suggestion that I could phone these people and arrange to meet at one of the Canterbury beaches. We duly met at Woodend and thus from small beginnings the South Island branch was formed.

Being active in the Group has brought me many benefits. Apart from the obvious delights of clothes-free recreation in the great outdoors and the therapeutic effects of the sea, freedom and fresh air is the enjoyment of friendship and companionship with like-minded people. There are many opportunities for active participation, and I use the word "active" deliberately because the rewards are in proportion to what one puts into it. By taking an active part in FBG, I have met many interesting people, including in 1989, my partner and best friend, Bert.

Our Naturist Walkers group got us out and about to all sorts of interesting places. This activity is now in need of new leadership. I like the word Naturist because it implies some affinity with the natural world. I became a naturist a long time ago, by degrees and by enjoyment of the outdoors. I would never have dreamed of joining a "nudist colony" as this conjured up some peculiar cult; but, at the age of 26 I did send away for a brochure to a place called Woodside on the Isle of Wight, UK. This had been recommended to me by a friend who was into outdoor health. Woodside advertised "15 acres with sea frontage. (5 acres reserved for nudism). Cabins in a woodland setting" and the prices were very reasonable. I decided to give it a go, hoping to meet interesting, broad-minded people, but I had no intention of using the 5 acres reserved for nudism known as "The paddock". "The other ten acres with sea frontage will do me fine," I thought. Well, I hadn't been there 24 hours before I was converted. A very pleasant, bronzed young couple invited me to go with them to "the paddock" and I hadn't the heart to refuse. That was a turning point in my life.

There were no free beaches in England at that time and it was rather ironic that at Woodside one had to put on a costume to go in the sea. I can't get over how lucky we are in New Zealand with the opportunities for clothes-optional at the beach. We of the Canterbury FBG have tested our luck quite boldly at times. What matters is one's behaviour. Nakedness seems to be accepted when it is seen as natural, healthy and unobtrusive; also there is safety in numbers which is another of the many reasons for belonging to the Free Beach Group.

Joyce Fleming

Ngatuhoa 97

Well another great Ngatuhoa is over, much to the dismay of all who have experienced this wonderful little part of New Zealand. This was portrayed beautifully by young Peter of Whangarei, who threw the most classic tantrum on the drive as Mum and Dad were pulling down the tent!

The four seasons were thrown at us with rain, hail, and thunderstorms, but lots of pleasant, not too hot days, followed. Piggy, as usual, was a real success thanks to Bill's prowess as "Master Chef". The Saturday night ball was replaced with a Mastermind game of *Trivial Pursuits* enjoyed by all thanks again to Bill and Fern's organisational skills.

All in all, a successful camp, hopefully enjoyed by all the wonderful people and friends we meet each year.

 

Ted Lidgard

Footnote:

More than 50 members and visitors (including Nudvan Club members) enjoyed time at Ngatuhoa, spending from one to nine nights. Roast chicken, Pig-on-the-spit, bush walks, entertainment and cordial interchange kept everyone amused and happy.

Ngatuhoa 98

From Saturday 17 Jan to Monday morning 26 Jan.

Allan Marshall

Dear Dawn

 

Q. I have been given a G-string bikini for Christmas but haven't seen them worn on Wellington beaches. Are they couth or not? I want to know if I risk a citizen's arrest if I appear in it at the beach.

 

Tania, Thorndon

 

A. No, I'm afraid the dental floss look is not a goer unless you're bathing at Breaker bay, where birthday suits abound and where sporting a G-string would be like wearing a duffel coat.

Dawn

 

Dear Dawn column, Dominion newspaper

 

Easter at Rotota

Good news! Easter is early this year, from Friday, 28 March to Monday, 31 March. Hopefully the weather will still be warm and the streams hot.

A pot-luck dinner will be held on Saturday evening followed by a variety talent show. Anyone who plays a musical instrument is asked to bring it with them. As this will be a fun night, don't be bashful. Any talent you have will be most welcome. The more the merrier.

There will be a professional hairdresser who has offered to do haircuts over Easter for $10. All proceeds to Rotota.

Fernland Hot Pool

Rotota Sun Club invites members to the annual Tauranga Hot Pool Day at the Fernland Hot Pool, Cambridge Rd, Tauranga, 11am to 3-30pm Saturday, 10 May 1997. The main pool is for our exclusive use.

Cost is $4 per adult and $1 for school aged children. FBG Membership Card or INF passport will be required for entry. Lunch and refreshments may be taken into the pool area and a pot-luck dinner will follow in the evening. Due to changes at the Historic Village, a different venue for the pot-luck dinner is being arranged. As usual, a donation of $2 per adult for the hire of the hail will be appreciated.

Enquiries to Graham Macgregor at 14 Burns St, Tauranga, or phone (evenings) 07 578 1302 or Fax 07 578 1822.

Wellington Swim Nights

Begin Sunday 13 April at Cannon's Creek Aquatic Centre, Porirua. Bring a sausage to throw on the barbie.

"One man you don't catch with his pants down is a nudist."

David Letterman

Auckland Diary

 

Beach Days

Auckland Beach Days are EVERY SUNDAY at Orpheus Bay and Pohutukawa Bay. Members, friends and sun club members are invited to join us on these outings. Directions to get there were included in the last November-December newsletter and the Beach Guide. Onetangi and Little Palm Beach, Waiheke have been popular this year. Also check out Karekare beach.

Swim Nights

Hibiscus Coast Sun Club swim nights at Palm Springs, Parakai, near Helensville, resume on the last Saturday in February; and the last Saturday of each month thereafter, from 6pm to midnight; cost is $8 per adult. Take your own food and drinks, or buy it there.

Spa and Sauna

The Auckland Sun Club invites visitors to their Spa and Sauna Evenings, held every Sunday from 4pm to 7pm; cost $2-50 per person. Take your towel and your FBG Membership Card. For more information phone (09) 814 9973.

 

Tauranga News

Rumours are confirmed that a half-round post and rail fence has been erected along the roadside at Papamoa "Free" beach. This is only about a half metre high, and is obviously intended to prevent cars parking on private property, but it is not a barrier to people. It will also prevent this area being used as a dumping ground for rubbish.

The fence has not been a deterrent and Papamoa beach continues to be popular nudists venue.

Katikati BBQ

It is proposed to hold a swim and BBQ (byo) afternoon at Katikati Naturist Park on the first Sunday of every month, the first being 2 February. Do come along and join us from about 4pm, or earlier if you wish. Cost $6 per person for a day visit.

Ted Lidgard