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Editorials
Issue 85
It's Just Common Courtesy! There are many naturist venues spread across Australia - ranging from Bed & Breakfast's and resorts to clubs, social groups and even legal public beaches, they all have something individual to offer. Each of these facilities is operated by real people, in many cases a couple or family who want to share their property with other like minded people - others are operated by groups or individuals who want to provide opportunities for people to socialise unclothed. Even the beaches are operated or maintained by someone and although government departments may be responsible for them, volunteers often maintain them. Some facilities are clothing-optional, others are nude only; some are open to singles, couples and/or families, others cater to couples only; some are operated as a business, others are non-profit organisations. Whatever the naturist facility or service you seek, chances are that it exists here in Australia. It may not be local to you, but it does exist somewhere. Each venue exists only because of the people that have dedicated a part of their lives to provide it. The services that these people offer is invaluable and should never be treated lightly. Operating costs for the various events and venues come in many forms: upkeep and maintenance of properties and associated facilities, insurance premiums, rental of swimming and other complexes for social gatherings; even club newsletters cost money, time and effort. All of this is to be expected, but what of the unexpected costs... the cost of catering to people who simply don't turn up! A beach carnival organised for a crowd of 2,000 people will still cost the same if only 500 people turn up. Why, because it was organised for 2,000. Just as a swim night organised at a local swimming centre will still cost the same amount for 30 people even if only 25 turn up. Whilst on the surface it may appear that these facilities are 'raking in the money', when you delve a little deeper you find that their profit margins are very slim with most being used to provide new or better facilities. Add to this the loss of personal time and suddenly you gain a whole new perspective. Suddenly you start to realise just how much these people are sacrificing in order to provide us with opportunities to participate in our clothes-free lifestyle. Aside from the beach carnivals, swim nights and other events, all of which are very important and need your support, a worrying trend of late is that of people booking accommodation and then, without even the courtesy of a phone call, simply not turning up - oblivious to the costs incurred by that venue for the additional food and beverages that are usually purchased to cater for their stay and the fact that other bookings were turned away, directly resulting in lost income. Chances are that the people operating that venue gave up their own personal time (that could have been spent relaxing with family or friends) to prepare and then wait on the arrival of their expected guests. The actual costs, whether personal or financial, would obviously vary depending on the venue (small B&B to larger resort), but the costs are real. And although there are those times when cancellation is unavoidable (it happens to everyone sooner or later), all it would have taken is a phone call. Given the invaluable service provided by these venue operators, and the sacrifices they have made, it's the least they deserve. After all... It's just common courtesy! ... Rod Rod
Tyldsley Issue 84 As Naturists, We Have A Public Opinion!
In 1995 the National Parks and Wildlife Services formulated a draft 'Plan of Management' (POM) for Tomaree National Park. Situated in Port Stephens, New South Wales, the 896-hectare park stretches southwards along the coastline from the south head of Port Stephens to Fishermans Bay and is used by naturists (and others) for direct access to Samurai Beach. Well before its 1996 granting of legal status as a nude beach through provisions in the Nude Bathing Act, Samurai beach itself was well known for its popularity with naturists. This popularity grew with the introduction of Bardots Nude Village Resort, whose southern border ran parallel with the access track leading from the road to the beach. In more recent years its name, 'Samurai', has become quite famous, largely due to its hosting of thousands for the annual NSW Nude Beach Carnival. It is now likened to other great naturist beaches such as Swanbourne in Western Australia, Maslin in South Australia and Alexandria Bay in Queensland, each of which, to naturists, is similar in stature to that of the name Bondi. Naturist beaches are few and far between in Australia, let alone those with a legal status for nude bathing. Facilities such as toilets and showers are usually non-existent and our nude beaches, legal or otherwise, are either very remote or require the skills of a mountain goat to safely traverse many of the paths leading to them, making them unappealing to the elderly, disabled or even families with small children. Samurai is the only legal nude beach in New South Wales to allow public vehicles to access and park on the beach. Although this requires a four-wheel-drive, it is ideal for those that are unable to negotiate the paths leading to other nude beaches. In part, it is also the reason for the continuing success of the annual beach carnival. The original POM recommended the closure of the vehicle track leading to Samurai beach, leaving it only accessible by local commercial fisherman. It also recommended that the existing walking track currently leading to Samurai beach would instead lead to One Mile beach, which is not a legal nude beach. Designed to protect the park, particularly from arson and the devastation caused by a few inconsiderate recreational vehicle users, the original POM would surely bring an end to the popularity of Samurai by naturists. It would most certainly bring an end to the annual carnival the beach has enjoyed for the past few years. Although the 1995 POM was never implemented, the National Parks and Wildlife Service is now amidst reviewing and redrafting a new POM. Consultations have already taken place with various key groups that hold an interest in the area, including beach users, fishermen, surfers, campers, naturists and environmental and aboriginal groups. The revised Tomaree National Park 'Plan of Management' (POM) is due to be released for public opinion in December this year. At that time it is important that we express our views... as naturists, we have a public opinion! ...
Rod Rod
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