From: Free Beach Action Date: Wednesday, 23 November 2005 7:55 AM Subject: Randwick Council Meeting Councillors Little Congwong Beach is classified by all naturists as an "unofficial nude beach". This has been known for a long time. The beach has traditionally been used for nude bathing for many decades. Naturists are continuing to turn up and bathe there in the nude. They are a well-behaved crowd, who enjoy their beach as they always have. On the many warm and hot days, the beach is crowded with people who simply behave like the visitors to any of our other beaches do. To me the fact that they (we) wear no swimming costumes almost seems like a uniform that signifies that they belong. That, what they have in common, is appreciating the experience of fully enjoying the sun, the air, the water, the environment and being with like-minded people. Having been a judge in the Keep Australia Beautiful Clean Beach Challenge Competition these last four years, I am very conscious of the way beaches should be appreciated and looked after. Being naturists does not suddenly turn people into better human beings, but, since naturists are well aware of the attitude of many in the population, they tend to be extra careful in looking after the few beaches they are able to visit here, in Australia. The reasons I like Little Congwong include, it having the safest and/or easiest access of all the beaches, used by naturists, that I have visited. But, what I have enjoyed most about going to that beach is feeling better about being in a place where there is so much going on and the nude bathing is just ONE of the leisure activities there. That is so much more like Europe where, in the Netherlands, near The Hague, I could get there on a tram or bus and walk along the beach, past the sign that indicates nude bathing, and find a spot out in the open, where I felt safe, because all amenities and authorities were close by. In the past, when tourists have come to Sydney and asked where they could go nude bathing, it was good to be able to say that a bus would take them right to the path to the beach, at La Perouse. In June, I was in Cap d'Agde, in the south of France, for four days, where there were thousands of naturists on the beach, again, simply reading; sitting; sun-bathing; the kids building sandcastles etc. More families will come to Little Congwong, when they know the beach is totally legal, well patrolled, with safe access, near amenities and near authorities and first aid. Little Congwong Beach should attract no more illegal activity than any other beach, when it is clearly signposted and as well patrolled as any other beach. Naturists want that. They come from all sections of the community and could easily be a neighbour, relative or colleague, who just wants to spend a few relaxed hours on a pretty beach and watch the planes fly over and the ships sail on Botany Bay. Jo Mulholland Tuesday 22 November 2005