Who decides...

Who are Richard Spacer and Frank Maundrell to call others perverts? In emails just last year, Richard, President of the Kauai Naturists, claims "wandering, cruising, pervert males looking for public sex are the problem", and Frank backs him all the way ("First Little Congwong, Now Obelisk and Cobblers", Freebeach Forum, May 2010). Who's anyone to say what perversion is? At least you know what wandering, pervert males looking for public sex are getting up to. The same cannot be said about people having sex behind closed doors. Goodness knows what they're doing!

Stuart Baanstra, NAG (nude and gay)

[Ed: Ooh ... maybe skip Frank this issue and read Rantman instead?]

You're not that special!

Firstly congrats on the magazine... we are happy subscribers.

I would like to make a comment on the article submitted by Dick Antman re: You're not that special. We totally agree with him on every point. Ingrid and I enjoy our nudist lifestyle. We go camping, visit resorts but why is it we're not allowed to capture those treasured moments in photos?

In our belief anyone who is a 'true nudist' would not care if a camera is used during a special day. Anyone who does not like being photographed nude should not participate in nudist events. We would like to record those memories! The fuss pots... hmmmm... well they should stay away. Hats off to the majority... boo hiss to the minority...

Kev and Ingrid

Picnic at Sunnyside

I was wondering if there is any chance please of getting a plug in the next edition of OZSH for a facebook group. Friends of Sunnyside beach group are organising a BBQ/picnic day on 15th Jan 2012 (starts at 12pm). Not sure when next issues is out....soon I hope as I havent seen a new edition since early this year..

Mark, VIC

[Ed: No chance at all :) Still publishing four a year Mark, sounds like you're missing out]

Family focussed

We love the direction that you've taken OZSH in the last couple of years, particularly the whole of family focus. Totally agree and support you in this!!

I also note the wonderful couple Dawn and Sean, and note that they are Newcastle locals too! I also note that they have repeatedly asked for others to make contact but I've not seen an address to be able to make contact through.

So, could you please pass to them this email with an invitation to reply? We are a young(ish, 34 and 32 with B7 and B4) family who would love to meet other families in the Newcastle area, and we may as well start with one that has voiced an invitation!

Matt & Laurie NSW

[Ed: We passed on your details and hope you guys managed to catch up!]

Not to everyone's taste

I would like to say that I recently purchased issue 20 and was so impressed with the quality of the publication that I went ahead and ordered all of the back copies. As a result of my readings, I have now forwarded by snail mail a 12-month subscription. It is a great magazine and while I have bought the latest (#21) from the newsagent, I am looking forward to the first of my subs issues.

I have just been reading your editorial in Issue 9 regarding the work of Bill Henson. I did a photography course in Melbourne in '78 - '80 and we were privileged to have Bill provide a lecture and show us some of his work. I agree that his approach may not to be everyone's taste but I have never thought that his work generally has been anything but his artistic view of childhood and was appalled at the controversy he created when the photograph of the young girl was shown publicly.

In a similar vein, I absolutely loved the photograph of you and Callista on the cover of Issue 8. Not only was it eye-catching but it bespoke a moment of intimacy between mother and daughter. How her father could have been offended is beyond my comprehension. Another great photo was of Yolanda on the inside cover of Issue 6. Please don't be daunted by these criticisms, much of the photography is what I look forward to and hope that there comes a time when I have the opportunity to contribute.

Dave

[Ed: Glad you liked the photo of Callista and I. Much of what her father does is beyond my comprehension :-) Was that too cheeky?]

Normal at nude beaches?

I first went to Reef Beach about 30 years ago when it was a nude beach to have a perve when I was 18 years old. But I relaxed and had fun talking to other people. It was a shame when they closed Reef Beach as a nudist beach.

Today I still go to nudist beaches; mostly Lady Jane, but sadly not many women go there, and no families (pity). I always go nude but my wife prefers to keep her clothes on because of the gay men there. I told her that they would prefer to look at me, not at her!

Is this common at other free beaches?

Mr and Mrs Mc Grath, NSW

We loved it

My Husband and I recently spent a number of weeks at Valleyview, a naturist resort in the picturesque Kuranda Ranges, just out of Cairns.

What a delightful, peaceful holiday. Being less than 30kms from Mareeba, 20kms from Kuranda and only a short 40kms down the range to the beaches and 'retail therapy' of Cairns, we were never short of activities.

Life is all about choices... enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the bush or hit the 'tolerated' nude beach north of Buchans Point; take your own space in the sun or enjoy the challenge of a game of pool, croquet or petanque; Choose to attend the nightly 'happy hour' with hosts Christine and Allan........or not! You can make use of the scrupulously clean well facilitated Camp Kitchen or retreat to your own accommodation.

Regular servicing of amenities ensures that they are always clean and well maintained. Laundry facilities include a recently purchased 'new' top-loader washing machine and plenty of clothesline space.

Camp sites are 'well-sized' with no shortage of shade........and the birdlife is abundant.

Now, the 'piece de resistance'..........for that 'special occasion', or just because it is 'another day'.... an easy 1.5kms down the road to a beautifully appointed 'licensed' al fresco restaurant, nestled amidst the tranquil bush setting. A most enjoyable time. Thanks Christine and Allan.

Jenny, QLD

Missed the boat

Some years ago now, we saw the acceptance of the rights gays and lesbians into the community. This week saw another step forward for those in the gay movement to have the their right to gay marriage accepted by the ALP conference. While there is still some way to go for this through the legislative process at least their claims have the attention of politicians.

My question is: Why has the nudist movement been so slow to take the challenge, that we also have a legitimate claim to decriminalise public nudity (with the necessary caveats concerning decency), up to the government?

A while back many nudists completed a survey by SkinClad (http://www.skinclad.com.au/results1_state.php) with, what I was given to believe was to be presented to the government or, at least, to politicians. While the results have been available through the Aussie Naturist website for some time now (as well as the above URL) I have seen no outcome from any follow up from this survey.

Haven't we missed (for want of an active campaign like the persistence of the grass roots gay movement) a golden opportunity to have these rights heard by the lawmakers and, with the help of our national nudist body that represents nudists – the ANF – put a strongly felt need to be recognised as a legitimate lifestyle choice similarly to that of the gay movement (and I might add, as has other social justice issues such as equal pay for women, maternity and paternity leave for new parents and the rights of people with disability). If this could be achieved, then a lot of the issues that currently face the nudist/naturist/clothing-optional practitioners would simply disappear. Such issues as the sanctity of CO beaches, dealing with controversies over the status of public nude venues, and the development of codicil of behaviour concerning public nudity to be enshrined in existing law to allow for straightforward dealing with any malfeasance.

So where is our grass roots movement and where are the petitioners?

Dave

Black & White

I'm just writing to convey my best wishes to Rex Bakes. Rex, I hope you makes a speedy recovery to continue writing for Sun and Health. I have thoroughly enjoyed your column, particularly the 'research' articles capturing our history. Having also heard the rumour that Lake Bonny may have been the first nudist beach, it was a shame you couldn't nail it down. If nothing else Rex, that article illustrates just how quickly information is gone. Keep up the good work.

Frederick Bosley, WA

Rantman

I love it Rantman. Last issues column is sure to shake up a few people. I have one of those 'special jobs', I really do! but I don't mind getting my naked pictured snapped, I'm not worried about what others think.

I'm just careful at unoffocial nude locations, because technically I may be breaking the law and that could cause a problem. There may be others in this situation, it's something to consider.

Policeman Pat

[Ed: Fair point and it seems last issues Rantman struck a cord with most of us.]

Not my lifestyle

In response to Stuart Baanstra (It's about living nude, published last issue). You're right Stuart. You are not representing my lifestyle. You're are tarnishing it. The more you distance yourself from the nudism the better...

Doreen Sagon, QLD

Fond recollections

If Dario was old enough to remember, then he'd understand that the civil disobedience that occurred 40 some years ago; that ultimately saw the legalisation of public nudism in the country, occurred at a time when society had already largely accepted naturism. Sure, there was a few prudes around, and they had the law on their side. Civil disobiendience was a catalyst for the law to catch up with public opinion; unfortunately a completely different situation than todays growing conservatism. If we're not careful and considerate then we may well lose the rights we've already earned, simply because you cannot force such a culture change.

On a lighter note. I see Dario's starting another yahoo group. I wonder how that's working out.

Chehan, QLD

Mainstream advertising

S and H I would like to say that I love your mag. I have read a lot about how we nudists are in decline but I feel that a lot of this is because we preach to the converted. At no time did I see an ad in the paper about our happenings such as the nude cruise, the wine tour, the nude swim days and all the other events through the year so it is hard to know what's on. I do appreciate that we have to be careful but we have the same right to police if need be and I just think we have to start somewhere. We could start with “no a.n.f membership, no entry” so if people wanted to come to an event they then would have to be fairdinkum. Just a thought as then single men, if they have been a member for some time and perhaps lost their partner, then they should be able to participate in meetings.

Thank you for your time.

Robin, NSW

[Ed: We couldn't agree more regarding mainstream advertising. In fact, way back in issue 18 we offered to assist naturist events with mainstream advertising, unfortunately, there were no takers! I guess no-one reads my editorials.]