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Letter of the Issue
A brave nudist
We have been holidaying in Noosa, QLD and visited Alexandria Bay. Whilst there, we witnessed the most amazing, brave and selfless act by a well known nudist.
A fellow was swimming in a deep gutter near the rocks at the southern end of the beach and was swept out to sea by a rip.
A woman we recognised as Anita Grigg (from previous copies of your magazine) swam out to the drowning man with a boogie board without hesitation, despite this putting her in tremendous danger.
She persuaded him to hang onto the board and kick across the rip towards the sand bank. They caught a wave and were able to walk out safely. This is the first time we have ever witnessed a rescue.
We feel that Anita Grigg deserves a bravery award because without this unselfish act the fellow could have drowned. What a pity nudists do not usually get rewarded or recognised for the good things they do in the community.
Steve and Ann, VIC
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78 and ready to go nude
I see that you have called for contributions to the magazine. I have just ordered a years subscription and would like to express my feelings.
I have wanted to attend a nudist club/beach for many years but as I live quite far from any I let it slide.
Now with the realisation that time is passing, and I am not getting any younger I feel that I should do something!
I understand that some resorts do not welcome single males and that is a bit off-putting. However I believe that one must be positive so have started the ball rolling. I have for several years now been nude in my house and back yard and it feels great. At first I must admit I felt a bit uncomfortable and was afraid to venture outside in case someone peeped over the fence which is quite high. Now I am quite at home, as long as it is warm, and I enjoy the sun on my naked body.
Perhaps I should mention that I am 78 years old but still feel much younger and I refuse to believe that I am "old". Age is something only in the mind and I look forward to the day that I can join like minded free people.
Perhaps the day will come when you can go shopping in your birthday suit? That would be wonderful.
Does anyone know where the nearest nude beach is to Busselton W.A. I would be grateful for the information.
Dennis Hansen, WA
[Ed... You are in a great spot Dennis! Your closest nude beach is Mindalong Beach at Bunbury. A lovely little beach with lots of friendly people. Check out Issue 4 of Australia Sun & Health for more info]
The last word
I feel I must reply to the four letters in #6... All business surveys in Australia in recent years have confirmed what most business people have known for years. The most important consideration of almost all people, when making a purchase, is "Value for Money". The writers on this issue seem to place a great deal of value on being naked, legally or otherwise, which obviously few other naturists do. Many are members of clubs which charge little for nudity. Many go to clothing optional beaches which charge nothing. Others simply go naked in theirs or a friends backyard. Many probably go naked in the 70% of Australia which is unpopulated. Very few go naked in a naturist park/resort.
We travelled to eighteen nudist parks/resorts between December and April 06/07 and stayed at most for one week. At four we saw no more that 8-10 people, the rest only a few, at one place even the owner was not there for several days (we were alone). Those that were the cheapest and provided all of the normal facilities had the most clients. Does that not tell you something.
I found recently, in a textile Caravan and Camping magazine, a survey which carried a warning to all caravan parks. It stated that most caravans built today are fitted with batteries, water tanks, toilets, showers, pumps and other equipment to allow them to be self sufficient. There is also a range now of many other pieces of equipment which can be purchased cheaply to make you more comfortable. Many road safety authorities have realised the importance of a break from driving and are providing better facilities at 24 and 48 hour stops (if you park out of the way at these stops you can go nude). Some in Eastern States have toilets and showers. The message is, it is no longer necessary to look for a caravan park to stay at.
Jaak, at 90% of caravan parks across Australia there is no charge for late check-out up to 2pm. Ian, maybe people should be prepared to pay a bit of a premium to go nude, but they don't and you ignore this at your own peril. Carol and Ray, most modern vans come equipped with microwaves, stoves and fridges and when it comes to Councils... well, "what the eye don't see the heart don't grieve" (and modern parks no longer have "sullage pits"). Your bottom line is great, but if you don't watch your "bottom line" (price) people may not make the choice you would like, and that applies to all naturist parks.
Alan Stalker
The right balance
What a great magazine you have and continuing to develop.
I have just received issue 7 and unfortunately have just about read it from cover to cover.
I will really look forward to following the articles from Jim the intrepid sailor and the other from James living simply.
You have struck the right balance of types of articles and the variety of people enjoying this special lifestyle.
I also enjoy reading the regular contributions by Frank as he travels the breadth of this wide land.
As a member of the Supporter Club I have just sent my renewal of subscriptions to this mag.
I wish you continued success with the magazine and look forward to your meanderings, especially to those special places where the lifestyle can be enjoyed ad hoc
Bob, VIC
Piercing’s, Piercing’s, Piercing’s... not again
Well I’m sorry but they have to be bought up again and again especially when there are still naive narrow minded people out there.
I personally have ear, nipple, naval and genital piercings and happened to be at Alex Bay for the nude olympics. My wife and I were watching the tug-o-war from a distance; when I noticed a man who was about 7m in front of me look around in my direction. After saying something to his partner, she then looked in my direction, then back. Meanwhile the man turned sideways and thrust his pelvis forward and made his penis wiggle.
Maybe I’m paranoid, but it seemed to me that he thought that I had the piercing’s to make my penis stand out. Anyway I thought his actions were very disgusting and hope never to see him again.
It just so happens that I, my wife and others happen to like piercing’s and the genital area is just another place that can be pierced. We do not do this to try and make our genitals stand out. I wear earrings, I have big ears, I do no have them to make my ears stand out, if anything they take the eye off the ears and onto them.
So the man and his partner who nearly broke their necks looking and in general to all those nudists who think that pierced people are weird, strange, or exhibitionists, please stand in front of a mirror, take your clothes off and have a bloody good look. I’m sure all your private parts stand out and guess what? – no piercing’s.
All I can say now is to show some consideration and to judge us by the way we behave not by what you conjure up in your tiny minds.
Peter, NSW
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Letter of the issue...
Each issue we will pick a "letter of the issue", which we’ll publish in this column.The winner will be picked by the staff here based on a complex criteria relating to what we find interesting, what gets us thinking and talking, as well as possibly our mood and the approaching publishing deadline!
What we’d like to encourage is interesting discussion, relevant news, issues and observations of our lifestyle. Of course if you just want to write and say ‘hi’, if you have a query or just want to leave some feedback that’s ok too!
The author of next issues winning letter will receive the radio cooler bag shown on the nude shop page. It’s a pretty cool prize with an inbuilt radio and a place to plug in an ipod or portable music player. You‘d better get writing!
Not an imitation
You asked for feedback on the magazine. I guess I could be accused of bias, but I said after Issue 1 that I was stunned and every issue since has only improved!
What you have created is, I believe, unique. It is not a counterfeit, copy or imitation of any other publication. It is immediately and unambiguously recognisable as a naturist magazine. There is no need to be crammed with full-page, full-frontal nude photographs. Neither is there any need to be crammed with advertorials for nudist clubs, resorts and other commercial activities. You include all of these, but also cover plenty of other aspects of the nudist lifestyle. James’ writings and tips about photography and your own product reviews are not necessarily nudist in nature, but are most certainly of interest to nudists! For all these reasons, I am certain Australian Sun & (and!) Health will continue to grow and take a prominent place in the life of Australian naturism.
I like the colourful and plain banner. Adornments usually remind me of clothing: quite unnecessary!
Sarah, keep up the good work. So far as I’m concerned, you are exactly on the right path! I could not be more proud than to be associated with you in some small way. I hope I will be able to continue contributing for many years to come.
With kindest regards and best wishes for the future,
Frank Maundrell
Bathers beware!
My wife and I have been enjoying nude bathing for 20 years with the last three being with our new son. We travel from Wollongong to Little Congwong as this is the closest, easily accessible nude beach. We have always been aware that it is not a legal nude beach.
On Saturday I was approached (as were most others) by a National Parks & Wildlife officer who stated that nude bathing is not permitted and that signs will be erected explaining this. After the signs have been erected they will be returning with police to enforce it. He couldn’t give me a timeframe on this, only that it will be soon.
This is a shame as the legal beaches on Sydney Harbour are too far away for us and they offer no parking. The walk to Werrong is too much for a 3yo so we may have to save our nudity for holidays only.
So bathers beware if nude on Little Congwong beach.
Steve, Renee and Jake, NSW
[Ed... There has been a bit of press regarding this issue lately including a recent article in the Southern Courier dated 30th April which you can find online at www.villagevoice.com.au and searching for “Little Congwong”. You can also read what the New South Wales Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Water said in response to recent FBA correspondence at www.freebeach.com.au then click on the "Save Beaches" button]
Caution still needed
I read Frank Maundrell’s article in Issue #7 with concern. Without actually saying it in so many words he suggests that anyone who views the Cancer Council’s position on skin cancer otherwise than with skepticism is unduly gullible.
Not all doctors who go public on the subject are riding a hobbyhorse nor is profit from sale of sunblock preparations the only motive for sounding a caution against prolonged exposure of unprotected skin to direct sunlight. Nor am I sure that the Cancer Council is fairly represented as endorsing the recommendation that we should all get out in the sun as much as possible - with, of course, the protection of commercial products. I think the Council would commend, rather, taking maximum advantage of opportunities for exposure to indirect sunlight and restricting exposure to direct sunlight when not really necessitated by work and recreational activities.
The spectrum of reflected sunlight does include an ultraviolet component which is what tans the skin and stimulates it to make Vitamin D. The ultraviolet component is much weaker in reflected than in direct sunlight, making longer periods of exposure both desirable and safe. Moving into the shade is therefore equivalent in this respect to applying a sunblock preparation but cheaper, less messy and a good deal more reliable.
Mr Maundrell quotes certain percentages of the population suffering Vitamin D deficiency. I do not doubt these figures. If anything, I am surprised that they are not higher. But none of them gives any indication of how much Vitamin D, or exposure of skin to sunlight, is necessary to make good the deficiency.
Ten minutes direct sunlight on any area of skin is not going to do any harm and if taken on the whole front of oneself and, similarly, on the whole back of oneself every day that sunshine is available, should provide amply for one’s Vitamin D needs. Moderate regular exposure is better than an occasional “blitz”.
A caution should be sounded against assuming that skin cancer is a more advanced stage of, or something that follows on from, sunburn. They are quite different conditions. Skin that is well enough tanned to resist sunburn could still be sufficiently stressed by overexposure to be at risk of cancer.
Not many years ago we spent a week by the sea in summer. The first day we had wide-brimmed hats but forgot the sunblock. We were also viciously attacked by hordes of biting flies on the beach and quickly retreated but we walked back naked over the dunes to the camping area. We must have spent about an hour in the sun all told. My wife, whose body had had minimal sun exposure for a couple of years, was distressingly sunburned on her whole back, on her stomach and on the upper aspect of her breasts. Shortly afterwards a skin cancer was diagnosed - not on any of the aforementioned areas but on her face, which had escaped sunburn.
John Louis
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