Let's talk about sex

At 83, Ita Buttrose believes it's more important to talk about - and enjoy - sex than ever before.

- WORDS by ITA BUTTROSE

I have been talking to Australians about sex for more than 40 years.

It wasn’t intentional, I simply went where fate led me. There has rarely been a dull moment and I have learned a lot.

First there was Cleo and the debut of the naked male centrefold in the ’70s. Australian women loved the centrefold. Many of them pinned Cleo’s centrefolds up in their lockers in their workplace. So many men used to offer me their bodies, but when I tried to set up a photo shoot they’d run a mile.

The distinguished Australian actor Jack Thompson was our first centrefold, which he said changed his career. Almost overnight, he went from action man roles to romantic lead roles. I wasn’t surprised because he was a smash hit with Cleo’s readers. Jack is sexy and good-looking, and also charming.

I caught up with him in 2024 when we took part in a Channel Seven tribute to Jack’s career. We reminisced about the years gone by and Jack had such a twinkle in his eyes, I could feel myself flirting with him. I’ve always quite enjoyed a harmless flirt. Is that a fault? I don’t think so. It’s just my way of showing my appreciation for the opposite sex.

My most unforgettable centrefold offering was from the West Wollongong Apex Club, which had invited me to speak to its members. I took the train to Wollongong and the committee, all men, met me at the station. One of them said: “We haven’t asked the wives tonight.” I didn’t think much about that piece of information and went to the club and delivered the speech.

Afterwards, I was answering questions when one of the men put up his hand and explained that the club raised money for charity, and then he asked: “How much would you pay if the whole club were to pose nude?”

I had no idea what to offer a fully clothed Apex club, let alone a naked one. I said, “Five hundred dollars,” which was a lot of money back then. The men thought that was absolutely terrific.