FREEBEACHER No 58
October 2005

President’s Brief
This newsletter almost brings us to the conclusion of this year which, it could be said, has been like no other. Firstly, our name change, which I believe has generated a need to look at the committee structure and the implementing of several changes relating to the management workloads. Please refer to the motions contained within this newsletter.

Secondly, our losing of the Dawn-to-dusk Petanque-a-thon challenge to the Rest of the World. However, we can take some comfort in the fact that we did contribute a fair number of players in the make up of the Rest of the World team during the course of the day. My congratulations to all who took part in the cause, especially those few brave souls who each year seem to make up the dawn and dusk shifts.

As in all clubs, for the sake of terminology, one hears “What can or what is the club doing for me? I believe the Bundaberg story is a perfect answer in that, here we have two people taking the leap towards achieving the goals of FBA. Patsy and Richard, our thanks and congratulations. The FBA committee alone is unable to achieve everyone’s desires due to the diversity of our membership, hence the fundamental requirement to have involvement of local people in regional issues.

In the meantime safe travels and I look forward to meeting those who are able to make it to the up coming Annual General Meeting on November 6th.

Terry Fryett
President

From the Secretary
The 30th September has now passed, signalling the end of another year in the history of the Free Beach movement. 2005 has been a very special part of our history with the merger of the Free Beach Association of NSW and the Free Beach Association of Qld leading to the formation of the largest nudist club in Australia. It seems longer but it is only 8 months since that historic day.

Of course, with this merger came the growing responsibility that we must all shoulder - to protect what we have already gained since our first legal free beach was declared on 5th February, 1975 at Maslin Beach in South Australia. Since then there has been steady growth in free beaches and this continues, but there are added pressures being exerted by developers and authorities combined. Some of our most loved beaches are under threat, like many other groups in our society, by development. Legal beaches such as Maslin and Warnbro are under such threat and unofficial beaches such Little Congwong, Mon Repos and Buchans Point face increased pressures. On the other hand there are upsides. Great advances are being made in Queensland with Bundaberg becoming the new focal point in our efforts to have the laws changed. There is more information about that in this issue.

Another bright light on the horizon is the work being done by Gippsland Nudist Group in Victoria. For the last two years they have been in discussion with the local authorities on the formation of a new free beach in the Gippsland region on the 90 Mile Beach. This type of lobbying in your area is what we need and the FBA, as the body that has accepted the responsibility of promoting and developing this ideal, supports these efforts. Any help we can get to further our cause is received with gratitude.

Another very pleasing part of the last 12 months has been the steady increase in membership. Although there has been a spike in membership created by the merger, the number of new members has been tremendous. We finish the year with 438 members but our biggest challenge is to continue this growth. There are thousands of naturist beachgoers that haven’t even heard of us and it is our job to find these people and introduce them to what we have to offer.

Australia is a huge country and we need volunteers to become our representatives in the many regions surrounding legal or unofficial Free Beaches. These FBA Officers would represent us at a local level, organising and setting local social calendars, distributing our membership application forms and keeping one eye open on local political issues. Also we need advice on what beaches need to be liberated, especially those unofficial beaches that have no legal classification. Anyone who can help please let me know. Philip Millroy has taken on the role as Regional Liaison Officer and with his abilities and approach to this huge task I can see great things happening in the future.

Marty
Secretary / Treasurer

Obituary
It is with great sadness that we come to terms with the tragic and sudden death of one of our dear friends, John Arcidiacono better known to most of us as “Archie” of Murrigal Nature Retreat, at Tully. Archie, in partnership with Jenny along with Megan, Ashley, Johnny, Danny and Scott have pioneered this lovely nudist haven and nudists from all over Australia have made Murrigal a compulsory stop because of their hospitality and warmth, that is quite unforgettable.

Archie died when swimming to a nearby island when his yacht overturned whilst showing friends the beauty of this special part of the North Queensland Coast. Sadly, another member of the group died. John, from ROSCO Club lost his life and his wife spent several days recovering in hospital.

Jenny will be continuing to operate Murrigal and fulfill Archies dream. This is a very difficult time but with your support and kind thoughts we can help Jenny, Megan, Ashley, Johnny, Danny and Scott through this time of great loss.

Australian Nudist Federation
Don’t forget to book if you are planning attending the ANF Convention and Sports Rally being held this year at Running Bare Retreat, Narrabri. This is a great opportunity to meet up with our many FBA members attending from throughout Australia.

Also of interest to many of our members who have a beach in their back yard, the ANF is planning to produce a guide to nudist/naturist clubs, resorts, beaches etc and any information that I can use to put in our section would be appreciated. This is to be a major publication of the highest quality and good quality photos are required, with directions and if possible, maps as well. Please let me have as much information as possible.

For Sale
When going to your favourite nudist beach take the opportunity to let your friends and other club members know who you are. Flags to fly in the breeze are still available. When at the supermarket wear your FBA fashion accessories with pride and passion. Beautiful designed polo shirts in club colours and logo, two varieties of sunhats now available and stubbie coolers are all for sale. Some FBAQ gear is still available but the new FBA Shirts are now in stock. Contact the secretary at the above postal address, or telephone or email.

The final few FBAQ Flags are now for sale at a huge discount and as no others will be produced they will soon be collectors’ items at $10.00 each.

Polo Shirts  - Gold     -   $20.00
Beach Hats -  Blue    -   $15.00
Bucket Hats –Blue     -  $12.00
Stubbie Coolers         -    $6.00
FBAQ Flags             -   $10.00

All items add $5 postage per parcel if applicable.

Annual General Meeting
To be held November 6th, at Pacific Sun Friends, Donnybrook.

If you intend attending please let me know by
Email: freebeaches@hotmail.com
Phone: 07 54114711
Mail: FBA Inc, 7 Hein Court, Regency Downs Qld 4341

This is for catering purposes as there will be the usual barby to keep the inner soul happy.

Notices of Motion

Motion 1: A FBA Policy and Management Executive to be established Comprising of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer And Regional Co-ordinator.

Motion 2: FBA Members elect nine Committee Members including The FBA Executive as said in Motion one. Non-executive Committee Members undertake roles as outlined in Motion 3.

Motion 3: FBA Advisory roles be established comprising of Membership, Legal and Projects and Social, to advise or meet with the Executive as required by said Executive in Motion One.

Nude Australia Week
28th January – 5th February, 2006

Preparations are well in hand for this week with many of our Sister Clubs throughout Australia, planning events. We join hands with clubs such as Brisbane Forum in celebrating this week of nudist festivities. I will advise as all the details come to hand.

Gippsland Nudist Group
Victorian Beach Day – 23rd October, 2005

One of our sister clubs, Gippsland Nudist Group, has been lobbying for nearly two years for a legal clothes optional beach in the Gippsland area. Success is now close but help is needed. You can find details on this proposal by going to http://www.ninetymilebeach.com and then go to the section on the Proposed Clothes Optional (Nude) Beach. You will have the opportunity to take part in the poll being run by Ninety Mile Beach Tourism Development Group Inc.

As an important part of this project Gippsland Nudist Group has permission from Parks Victoria to hold a nudist beach day on October 23rd, 2005. The site agreed on by Park Rangers is adjacent to Camp 12 between Golden Beach and Seaspray. There are 22 campsites available for free camping with only a short walk to the beach. Please be warned that the beach is renowned for strong rips and only experienced swimmers are advised to take to the surf. The beach is also not patrolled. Please spread the word and if you can attend contact Rob at lsrobrose@optusnet.com.au or phone 03 5146 0523.

The Gippsland Nudist Group have already indicated that they wish to put this beach day into the annual calendar of nudist events. Any of our members that can be of help please contact them.

Make the Most of Summer
Yes, our summer is here now so have a great time and stay safe when visiting your favourite beach. As members of FBA please remember beach etiquette, not only yours but that of other beach goers. If you see a FBA beach hat or flag flying go over and say hello.

This is also the time of year to participate in the many planned nudist activities, and there is so much to do from one end of Australia to the other. And if you are travelling overseas it is no different. Going to New Zealand, the US or Europe? Contact the local associations and as a member of FBA you will be made welcome. The ANF web page has links to many overseas associations, resorts etc. Go to http://www.aus-nude.org.au

Any problems or suggestions please contact us.

Report from Bundy
The now famous Patsy Brown, TAN Issue 28 page 25, also our representative for the Fraser Coast and beyond, has gone on the attack, approached her local councillor and set the ball rolling. This has not only brought the issue to a head again but the Burnett Shire Council decided at their meeting to lobby the Beattie Government for change. Patsy proposed that we leave behind the idea of using Mon Repos Beach and shifting our focus to Coonah Beach, about 15 minutes out of Bundaberg. We need to reinforce Patsy by either emailing or writing to the Shire of Burnett.

The Burnett Shire is holding Public Submissions at a Meeting to be held on November 10th with a decision on November 16th. Please let them know the benefits of having Queensland’s first legal clothes optional beach.

The Mayor is Mr Ray Duffy
Email: bsc@burnett.qld.gov.au
Postal Address: Burnett Shire Council, Locked Bag 1, Bargara Qld 4670
Fax: 07 4150 5410

Patsy is happy for you to contact her by email at bundyrap@bigpond.net.au

As soon as sufficient progress is made we will be planning beach days and weekend escapes to support Coonah Beach and our Fraser Coast members.

A Special Thanks
Thankyou to the Noosa Homestay proprietors for their support in our last raffle which helped raise a substantial sum. They provided the first prize of a weekend at Noosa Heads, which I am sure was enjoyed by the winners. For those travellers that are flying in to Noosa, Jim and Judy will arrange transport to and from the airport. Alexandria Bay and all the other delights of Noosa Heads are only minutes away. You may contact Jim and Judy by phoning 07 5447 1779 or 0428 230 739.

Thankyou also to TAN Magazine for providing second prize. As you can see from issue #28 of TAN Magazine we are receiving a great deal of support from TAN and your support of this magazine is greatly appreciated. The support we receive from businesses such as these provides important funding and gives us with the exposure we need to continue our work.

Our Need for Numbers
As you realise our membership renewals are now due. It is so important, with us being primarily a lobby group, that our membership continues to grow. Our greatest challenge at this time of year is to retain as many members as possible. You are the ones that are most important as you are already part of the organisation. Last year we had a great retention rate and I hope this continues.

Please remember, the ANF/INF Passport is included in your Membership Fee. As a member or FBA you are entitled to an ANF/INF Passport, but if you have a Passport with another club you don’t pay again for the ANF Stamp. We are growing steadily but one easy way that membership can be increased is to include your spouse on the form. Many of our married members don’t include their partner and we would love to meet them.

Another problem we have is making contact with nudists outside our normal social ring. If you have a friend not currently a member, introduce them to me, ask for a membership application or download an application form from our Web Site at http://www.freebeach.com.au

Monster Raffle
Family tent with vinyl floor, big windows, two meter clearance and fly screens

We all know that most Aussies likes a bit of a punt. With the generosity of Mel and Anna from Coomera Canvas and Camping we are able to offer this great prize. Mel and Anna are also the organiser and sponsor of the ANZAC Cricket Match at Belongil Beach on 25th April each year.

This is a family tent with vinyl floor, big windows, two meter clearance and fly screens, and is made from the finest materials. The lucky winner will be set for many years of pleasure. And, if you are really lucky, you could also win the second prize which is a beautiful framed portrait  “Nude Lady at Beach”.

This raffle will be drawn in late January. This will be our major fundraiser for 2005-06 and your help would be appreciated. Please contact the Secretary at the above address for tickets. This is a great way of introducing yourself and the FBA to prospective members, and for all those in faraway places a chance to participate. Good luck everyone.