Debra Bowe, 68, says…
Standing on the crowded beach, I glanced down self-consciously at my purple bikini. ‘I’m standing out like a sore thumb,’ I thought, so I bit the bullet and whipped it off!
It was 2001, I was 45 and at a beach festival held by Kiata Country Club – a nudist community near Sydney introduced to me by my dad Frank, who was then 69.
Growing up, I hadn’t known Dad was a nudist. I knew he was a country club member, but only when my sister and I were older did he reveal to us what kind of club it was.
When he asked me to go along to meet his friends, I was curious as to what it was like, so I agreed.
I’m very open-minded, so it wasn’t weird seeing Dad and his mates in the nude. But I chose to wear a kimono rather than being entirely naked.
I was married then and although my husband wasn’t keen on going, he was fine with me being there.
I had an amazing time and everybody was friendly, so when I divorced and Dad suggested I come along again to cheer me up, I was more than happy to accept the offer.
This time, I was determined to do it properly. I spent the rest of the day in my birthday suit, enjoying the beach, just like the 1000 other revellers.
There was a barbecue, music playing and even a beach-ball game.
I made many friends and returned with some of them to the country club the next day. This time, I didn’t hesitate to get my gear off. Afterwards, I applied to become a member.
Upon application, I was interviewed by members and the board of directors to make sure I was the right fit. They also make sure there’s an equal balance of men and women.
Once my membership was accepted, I started spending most weekends at the club. I joined the social committee and helped organise all the club’s functions.
Each week, there would be various activities to enjoy, such as yoga, aqua aerobics, dance classes and karaoke. There was also a pool, spa and clubhouse with TVs.
Happy hour was weekly, and events like pizza nights, barbecues and live concerts were held regularly.
Members could enjoy all of it in the nude without fear of judgement. I loved being part of it.
In time, I retired from my job as a manager with the police force after 37 years. With more time, I became the club and resort liaison for the Australian Naturist Federation.
Then, one summer evening in 2021, I was standing in a queue at a pizza night when I got chatting with another member, Tony, who was 69.
He’d joined in 2008 but had been in a relationship until recently.
As we talked, we had so much in common, like our love of philosophy. A lot of his views and values aligned with mine.
We started hanging out as friends, relaxing at the pool and spa, and joining social events like karaoke. I felt blown away when I watched Tony sing for the first time.
‘You’re so good,’ I told him. It turned out he was a great guitarist too.
Things quickly turned romantic and after six months together, we were dining at my favourite Italian restaurant when Tony got down on one knee and proposed.
‘Will you do me the great honour of being my wife, Deb?’ he asked.
‘Of course!’ I squealed as cheers erupted around us.
Tony and I both agreed we wanted the wedding to be at the country club and it would be a nude affair.
We invited 80 of our closest friends, who were also club members. We also invited our families, but it wasn’t their scene. So to ensure we hadn’t left them out, we decided to have another celebration with them afterwards. I’d never push my lifestyle choices on anyone else.
On Valentine’s Day, I walked down the aisle totally starkers to Eternal Flame by the Bangles. Tony was waiting for me at the end, wearing nothing but a bow tie and a trilby hat.
Most guests wore just a splash of red, like a bow or lipstick, as a nod to Valentine’s Day. The celebrant, our friend from the club, was also naked, except for a green cape and a flower crown on her head.
After the ceremony, we headed into the clubhouse. Everyone brought along a plate of food and their own alcohol. We hired a band, who kept their clothes on, and everyone danced until the early hours.
In the three years since we met, Tony and I have travelled to nearly every nudist destination in Australia.
It’s great to meet so many like-minded people and hopefully, in the future, we’ll be able to explore nudism in different countries as well.
We totally understand that our lifestyle isn’t for everyone. People often think it’s a sex thing, but there’s nothing sexual about it. It’s just about being body-confident and loving the skin you’re in.”
Tony, 72, says…
“The most important thing about the nudist community is body positivity. It’s about just being who you are in your own body. No one has a perfect body, particularly in our age group. We all have bits and pieces we’re unhappy with, but we get over it. I never expected to be lucky enough to fall in love again until I met Debra. Marrying her in front of our closest friends in a nude ceremony was one of the best moments of my life.”
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