Fond Memories Abound as Nudist Resort Closes

The River Valley Nudist Holiday Resort in Australia has closed after its conception 40 years ago, but the wonderful memories linger for the Vickers-Willis family.

When they reached a certain point in the journey, Jim Vickers-Willis would begin to remove his clothes. "Jim would rip off his clothes as we got onto the road that went into the camp ground. He couldn't wait. It would be a race to see who could be the first to get stripped," laughs Jim's wife, Beth.

This wonderful anecdote illustrates the childlike enthusiasm nudists have for the lifestyle. Personally, when I get home from anywhere I can't wait to strip down, and when attending nudist events, there is no time lost in shedding the clothes.

The story of River Valley is, unfortunately, one that does not appear to be as possible today. The carefree family atmosphere remembered at this and other nudist retreats of the time period have been replaced by upscale adults-only resorts and clubs. Governments continue to pass laws against nudity that criminalize any exposure of genitals in the presence of children. Any nudist/naturist will tell you that it's not the lack of clothing that is a social problem, it's human behavior which can veer off course in any situation, including in such cornerstones of society like churches, boy scouts, girl scouts, schools, and camps.

Beth and Jim agree there was never a hint of objectionable behaviour, nor sexual undertone of any kind. "I couldn't even tell you whether the people I knew there had big penises, small penises or big boobs. Of all the hundreds of people I met, I couldn't tell you about anyone's body. You only notice their face and their personality. Society hasn't woken up to that and so they feel confronted by it," Jim says.

People use their clothes in so many complex ways today. In environmentally controlled interiors, there is no need for clothing as a means of protection, yet people still get dressed every day. Single people living alone still put on pajamas at night, keep them on through breakfast, taking them off only to shower, and then put on clothes for the day even if they are not leaving the house, and if no company is expected. Why do people do this? I think that we as a society have developed a body complex that instills real fear of being seen naked, or seeing other people naked. It's a completely irrational phenomenon, a conditioned phobia that has no basis in natural reality. Engaging in the nudist lifestyle helps to overcome this fear in a natural and meaningful way.

The demise of River Valley is, unfortunately, a sobering reality. The owners needed to sell, and since nobody in the nudist community was able to make the purchase, the land now becomes a Caravan Park for textile society.

David Elmes, 71, is profoundly upset about its closure as a nudist resort. He has spent countless long weekends there and has celebrated New Year's Eve at the resort for almost 40 years, with the exception of one occasion in 1977. "It's tragic for me and it's disastrous for nudism. It was a place nobody could imagine if they hadn't been there. First-timers would come and stay for a weekend, they'd go home, buy a caravan and bring it back. The atmosphere of the place was incredible. It was like close family," he says.

Tennis tournaments and New Year's Eve celebrations shared with the many friends he made are two of his fondest memories. "The feeling of warmth and togetherness between people was immense," Elmes says.

So what of New Year's Eve celebrations this year? For Elmes nothing will compare. "I'll be unhappy. Wherever I am I'll be thinking about the past. But it's not entirely negative," he says. "At least I got to experience it."

Unfortunately, there will be no such memories for the next generation, and that is the real tragedy.

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