National Committee

To be confirmed by annual General Meeting

President John Groombridge

04 589-5461

Vice PresidentLinda Geeves

(North Island) 04 478-4820

Vice PresidentJoyce Fleming

(South Island) 03 322-7990

Secretary Ian Bushett

04 237 0193

TreasurerJohn Groombridge

04 589-5461

Members 

 Bill Baine04 562-8514 

 John Lowe06 752-7915

 Barry Marten04 567-5216 

 George North06 549-2158

Send all correspondence to the official address

LOCAL CONTACTS

Waiheke Island John Augustine 

09 372 2044

Auckland Alison & Graham

09 817 8266

Tauranga Ted Lidgard 

07 542 2344

Waikato

 

Taranaki John Lowe 

06 752 7915 

Hawkes Bay Murray Ennor 

06 879 6988

Sth Hawkes Bay Hugh Bowles 

06 374 6238

Wellington Linda Geeves

04 478 4820

Meryl Baker 

04 528 7010

Christchurch Joyce Fleming 

03 322 7990

Robin Gray

03 389 1919

Dear Editor

Thank you very much for that enlightening article on the front page of our last Free Beach News. My recollection that the Summary Offences Act 1981 was explicitly intended to make the treatment of males and females equal, 16 years ago, must have been in error - I am grateful for in formed police correction of that.

It's useful too, to see official admission that application of the law depends on who complains. It's good to have confirmation of what we could previously only suspect. There's much comfort too, in knowing that the inconveniences of the Bill of Rights Act, or questions of discrimination, don't seem to undermine police thinking.

Being told that the police will apparently, charge 'a woman walking around topless in a public library' with "offensive behaviour" - if the complainant is not "some busybody type", could be of concern to those who made donations toward obtaining our legal opinion to the contrary. But it is surely more valuable for us to be in formed that the police regard as: not crucially significant; the High Court confirmation in 1991 of the meaning of the 1981 Act; ie: that a charge of "offensive behaviour" does not apply to innocent or 'mere' nakedness.

There were, in this otherwise delightful article, just a couple of minor shortcomings that I thought maybe you as Editor, could perhaps have asked the author to help us with. In which law or regulation do the police find the definitions of. "busybody type" and: "what most people are thinking"? And: why don't the police consider the charge of "disorderly conduct", in the wake of their success with that last year? After all, having to suddenly chase your fleeing toddler, while feeding your baby at the local library, is clearly disorderly. Toddlers' conduct can be quite disruptive in the library and "most people" certainly can't be thinking it's "the done thing" to have a leaping mother endangering us with the spectacle of her tits in a tangle round the baby's ears.

John Lowe

Subscriptions

Thank you all those who have renewed, and to those who have added a donation to our funds.

We look forward to the continued support of those who have yet to renew for 1997/98. We have enclosed another renewal form in case you have misplaced the original.

Hope to hear from you soon.

National Camp-out

Rotota Sun Club

In place of the usual NZNF Annual Rally, Rotota Sun Club will host a "National Camp-out" from 29 December 97 to 2 January 98.

This will be an informal event, with fun and games in the morning, rest and recreation (of your own choice) in the afternoons, evening activities and entertainment. Planned activities include a evening visit to Oraki Korako, New Year's Eve Beach Party followed by a Champagne Breakfast, Hangi, Pot Luck Meal.

Extras to spend money on include Float plane rides, Jet Boat rides up the river/lake.

Registration is $65, or $10 per day. For registration form, contact the Secretary, Free Beach Group, Box 30-099, Lower Hutt.

Auckland Events

Hibiscus Coast Sun Club swim nights at on the last Saturday of each month - 6pm till midnight at Palm Springs, Parakai, near Hellensville. $8 per adult. Take your own food and drinks or buy them there.

Auckland Sun Club invites visitors to their Spa and Sauna evenings, held every Sunday from 4pm to 7pm; $2-50 per person. Take your towel and FBG membership card. Phone 09 814 9973 for more details.

Report of SI Vice-President

Transcribed from Tape recorded address presented to the 1997 AGM of the Free Beach Group.

"Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen:

So far as I know, there will be no representative from the South Island at our AGM. I myself would love to attend the meeting but am daunted by that notorious stretch of water combined with my own limitations. Exactly a year ago today - as I speak into this recording machine - I was just regaining consciousness following a serious operation. This, followed by a complication several weeks later, slowed me down quite a bit, but with the help and support of a regional committee, to whom I am most grateful, we were able to keep our Christchurch group going throughout the year. In fact I think it has been an even more successful year than before.

Instead of "Naturist Walkers" we have had aquacise and this has attracted a much bigger attendance. Our naturist walks of previous years were very beneficial in getting us out and about, but they take a bit of organising and reliable leadership. One great advantage of aquacise is that it is not reliant on the weather and is very suitable for families. The aquacise is followed by a pot-luck supper; and I must say that the proprietor and staff of the Wharenui Pool have been exceptionally hospitable and generous towards us. What with the music and the big smile on the face of Helen, our instructor, it is impossible to be too serious. In fact most people seem to be laughing and singing as much as exercising. One major benefit which has come out of these sessions is the co-operation between FBG and the Canterbury Sun Club. Aquacise has broken down all kinds of barriers, and about time, too.

About eight years ago I wrote an article for the "New Zealand Naturist" magazine on the lines of "Co-operate, don't compete." In a minority movement such as ours, we can't afford to sabotage ourselves by petty comments or displays of prejudice towards one another. As far as I'm concerned we are a nation-wide and a world-wide brotherhood of enlightened people who have cast away fear and prejudice in having discovered the sheer delight of going without clothes.

All this stuff about whether one is a person who puts clothes on or takes them off, or whether we are Sunday nudists or real nudists with a nudist lifestyle is all superficial verbiage as far as I'm concerned. The main thing is to be friends and to make the most of the freedom which we have. Fresh air, sunshine, water and the good feeling of being in close touch with the elements - these are free - so let's enjoy them while we have the chance.

I love the Free Beach Group because we have no property or territory to bicker about. We are a loose-knit, uncomplicated and free-spirited people. We mustn't take ourselves too seriously. We must realise that what we call "a nudist 'lifestyle" is, in the eyes of society in general, seen as eccentric - at least! Whereas, nude sunbathing (or should I say air-bathing?) and skinny-dipping seem fair enough and make sense to most people.

Let's build on this by showing how much we value and enjoy these as normal activities. Or inactivities, being time out from the overload of modern life.

Earlier on I mentioned brotherhood - that we naturists are part of a worldwide brotherhood. No one will persuade me to say personhood. Surely we all know that man embraces woman and that mankind includes women and children too. I can't be bothered with personholecovers or the person in the moon. I am a romantic, not a ro-person-tic. What did John Lennon say?

"Imagine all the people... the brotherhood of man..." Good on him. He was one of nature's innocents. But I digress. In the spirit, if not in the flesh, I am now at the annual general meeting of the Free Beach Group in Wellington. I would like to thank you for electing me onto the committee for 1997-8. I notice that all but two of the newly-elected office-holders and committee members reside in the Wellington area. Since George North, formerly of Christchurch, has taken up residence at the Katikati Naturist Park, I am now the only representative of the South Island.

For the smooth running of the organisation, I think it is good that the majority of committee members are able to gather round a table. Last year's committee was more widely scattered and could only confer by means of circulars which were originally compiled and sent round by Jackie CaIdwell. When Jackie resigned as secretary this task was taken up by John Lowe.

Discussions held in this way were often quite amusing, and I would like to take this opportunity of thanking both Jackie and John for the vast amounts of work and enthusiasm they have put in, compiling and collating these circulars, working on brochures, booklets and pamphlets to promote the Free Beach Group, and writing letters and articles for the Naturist magazine and for our newsletter.

As keeper of the database, John Lowe has always been very reliable and prompt in supplying me with an updated list of members, etc. when required. I see that members have voted for a more interesting directory on the lines proposed by John Lowe. I would now like to propose that the job of keeping the database and directory continue to be carried out by John Lowe. Few people are able or prepared to put in this amount of work.

Congratulations and thanks in particular to John Groombridge for so ably handling the job of President/Treasurer and Editor of our newsletter. Let us bear in mind that all these jobs are a voluntary gift of one's time and energy.

The newsletter is probably the most important item which keeps all members in touch throughout New Zealand and even further afield. Our confidence in John is clearly shown in our having re-elected him to these positions.

I have just been reading an excellent book on campaigning. On the subject of speeches it says, "Keep it short. Ask yourself this question: have you ever heard a speech which was too short? No." I suspect that this one is already too long, so I'll stop. Wishing you all a SHORT and successful AGM and a happy social gathering.

Joyce Fleming

Annual General Meeting 97

The 23rd Annual General Meeting of the Free Beach Group Inc was held at Rewa Rewa School Hall, Newlands, Wellington on Saturday 13 September 1997. It was a very encouraging meeting for two reasons. Firstly the large turnout via postal voting and secondly the sometimes lively but positive debate by the 18 members who were able to turn up in person.

A further 33 members were represented by proxy, meaning that there are many out there with an active interest in how the Group is operating.

The Presidents and Treasurers reports had previously been published, but John wished to add that he had omitted in his report to thank those who had given up their time to be the regular "envelope stuffers" for the newsletter, The Reports were moved and adopted.

Joyce Fleming as South Island Vice President sent a recorded tape of her report. The content of her speech have been transcribed and appears elsewhere in this newsletter. Even though Joyce was unable to be with us in physically, it was great to have her voice and 'spirit" with us.

Confirmation of the election of the National Committee caused some debate. John Lowe felt that the "against" vote and the one person being elected to two executive positions was unconstitutional. (It was confirmed that in accordance with our Constitution neither of these things are excluded). He was also unhappy with the fact that only 5 people were elected as Committee members. Further he was not in favour of postal votes.

 

The five people who had been declared elected by the returning officer were confirmed elected. Following further debate, it was moved and passed by the meeting that John Lowe, as next highest polling candidate, be added to the National Committee.

The general feeling was that postal votes were good for the health of the Group. It should be noted that the number of postal votes cast meant that far more members were able to have their views taken into account than would have been possible with just a local meeting. It should also be noted that without the proxies, there would not have been enough members present to form a quorum, This, I think, is the preferable option.

Confirmation of remits was passed 40 votes for to 5 against. There were some who thought that more time should be allowed for discussion of remits. This course could prove difficult in a regime of postal voting but all remits are advised via the newsletter prior to voting taking place.

In general business it was moved that the incoming Committee consider honouring Jackie CaIdwell with Life Membership of the Group. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the retiring committee.

I am pleased that so many members took the time out to either vote, appoint a proxy or attend the AGM. Thank you for ensuring that our/YOUR Group moves forward to a healthy future.

Ian Bushett, Secretary

Wellington AGM

Thanks to those who turned up for our Regional AGM to support their committee. It was a brief and to the point meeting. Thanks to those who sent apologies and proxies. Your new Wellington Regional Committee is as follows:

Chairperson:		Linda Geeves
Secretary:		Meryl Baker
Treasurer:		Robert Horne
Committee:		Adrian, Barry, Bill, Neil and Rick

Breaker Bay Clean-up

Hi Guys and Gals

Summer is here and so is the time to clean up Breaker Bay. The date for this is Sunday 30 November (weather permitting), our first beach day at Breaker Bay. Bring along as many people and tools as you can.

"The more the merrier."

"Many hands make light work."

Linda Geeves

Fernlands Hot Pool Nights

Nudvanners hold a monthly swim night at Fernlands hot pools, on the second Saturday; meet between 8 and 8-30pm in the foyer. For more details, phone Ros (07) 544 1082, or Allen (07) 575 6601.

Remember ... ...

If your bum is bare.
place a towel on the chair.

Petuna Chasm

A Nude Day Tramp

The Petuna Chasm is on a private farm in the Wairarapa. It involves a 4 hour tramp through the farm, native bush, and the limestone chasm with fossils, stalactites and waterfalls. A group of about 40 nudists did this tramp 2 years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. (See NZ Naturist #156).

We would need a reasonable number to make it worthwhile for our guide as he would keep the usual textile tourist out of the way while we were there. Cost would probably be about $10 per person.

If this sounds like an event for you, tell myself or Linda Geeves, and if there is enough interest we will go ahead and organise it, probably for late Summer.

Barry Marten

Grand Miniten Tournament

Wellington Sun Club will hold a Grand Miniten Tournament at their grounds Waitangi weekend, 6, 7 & 8 February 1998. All miniten categories contested at a national rally will be played.

Normal rally rules apply. A small cover charge of $2 per event entered will be levied and will go towards personal trophies for the winners (to keep). Play is expected to commence by 10am on the 6th.

Registrations must be received by 7pm on Thursday, 5 February. Normal camp fees apply. Send registrations to Chester Holmes, 9 Russell St, Waiwhetu, Lower Hutt; or ph 04 569 6860, or 025 851 877.