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TIMELINE OF REEF BEACH
COMMUNITY OPINIONS ABOUT NUDITY
NUDIST LINKS
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Early1970s – naturists begin coming
to Reef Beach to bath nude, despite the fact that public nudity is still
illegal in NSW. Police regularly raid Reef Beach and arrest people for
public nudity, but the courts throw the cases out on the grounds that
mere nudity is not offensive or indecent to the average Australian.
1976 – In response to the trend of nude bathing
the NSW premier, Neville Wran decides that rather than let all of Sydney
beaches gradually become nudist, he will legally designate some beaches
‘clad’ and some beaches ‘unclad’. In October
1976, Reef Beach (along with Obelisk, Lady Bay and Cobblers Beach) is
declared a legally nude beach.
1976-1992 – Reef Beach is the most popular nude
beach in Sydney. Bob Reed estimates that in the summer months there
is always between three and four hundred people enjoying the legal freedom
to bathe nude. Nudists regularly hold functions to raise money for charity.
Reef Beach is often touted as the cleanest and friendliest beach in
Sydney by the local papers.
Early 1990s – Local residents become upset at
having a nude beach ‘in their backyard’. Chief complaints
seem to be too many parked cars in their streets, and ‘immoral
behaviour’ by the nudists. (Bob Reed maintains that none of the
claims of immoral behaviour are true.)
1992 – Dr. Peter McDonald runs for the seat of
Manly. In order to get more votes, he promises local residents to address
the issue of nude bathing at Reef Beach. He wins the seat. McDonald
begins the campaign to rid Reef Beach of the nudists. Using the Bathing
Act of 1919, Manly council attempts to force the nudists off the beach,
but no arrests are made because the council is advised that the legislation
would not hold up in court. The Free Beach Association (FBA) is established
and Bob Reed is named president.
1992-1993 – People continue to swim nude at Reef
Beach, despite constant presence of council rangers and beach inspectors.
Early February, 1993 - The nudists hold a protest rally
on Reef Beach to voice their disgust at the treatment they are receiving
from the local council. At a prescribed moment, they all disrobe and
go swimming.
9th February, 1993 – In response to the rally, 70 summonses
were issued for the people on Reef Beach
May, 1993 - The New South Wales Council for Civil Liberties
defends all of the nudists against charges in the Manly Court.
24th May 1993 – The magistrate dismisses all summonses
and awards costs to Manly Council. The nudists have now won the right
to bathe nude on Reef Beach, and they continue to do so.
1993 – Still unhappy with nude bathing on Reef
Beach, McDonald draws up a Private Members Bill to change the Bathing
Act of 1919. In a political exchange, McDonald votes yes on a controversial
bill which privatises Manly hospital (a bill he has publicly denounced)
and McDonald’s Private Member Bill becomes the Government’s
Nude Bathing Bill. The court decision allowing the nudists freedom on
Reef Beach is reversed and nude bathing is declared illegal in NSW.
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© 2003 www.freebeach.com.au
REEF BEACH
© 2003 www.freebeach.com.au
PROTESTERS AT REEF BEACH IN 1993
December, 1996 – After much lobbying of the Labor
state Government, the FBA won the right to five legally sanctioned nude
beaches in NSW: Despite unnoffical promises made by the Labor
government, Reef Beach is not included in the amendment. Bob says that
it didn’t matter what they did. ‘Jesus himself could have
walked across the water onto Reef Beach and said ‘I proclaim this
a nude beach’ and Manly Council would have still said no!’
1996-Present – Reef Beach remains deserted, both
by clad and unclad swimmers
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