From: Free Beach Action Date: Tuesday, 29 November 2005 2:29 PM Subject: Southern Courier Letters II Letters Send letters to The Editor, Southern Courier, Locked Bag 3150, Alexandria NSW 1435, fax 9353 0983, or email letters@southerncourier.com.au Keep letters to 150 words and include your address and phone number. Legalise nude bathing Little Congwong beach has long been classified by naturists as an "unofficial nude beach". Naturists are continuing to turn up and bathe there in the nude. They are a well-behaved crowd, who enjoy the beach. 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. Little Congwong has the safest and 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. 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 a nd 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 Free Beach Action Wrong decision for nude beach Randwick Council's decision not to permit nude bathing on Little Congwong beach effectively hands the beach to those whose interest is in performing unlawful sexual acts. They will certainly keep going, because being nude is not their primary interest, and breaking laws that carry prison sentences has clearly not been a concern for them in the past. The council might as well now put up a sign saying "masturbation permitted." Little Congwong beach is somewhat out of the way. On that basis, a recent poll suggests that only 17 per cent of the population would be opposed to making it clothing optional. As is so often the case, local government is completely out of step with community attitudes, and has simply listened to those who make the most noise. If the council had decided to allow nude bathing, it would have meant that naturists could call the police when they witness unlawful behaviour without concern for their own legal position. Sylvia Else Naturist Lifestyle Party (NSW)