Oktoberfest 2025

/ Bondi Beach Astra Retirement/

The Astra courtyard was transformed into a traditional Bavarian bier hall for our annual Oktoberfest lunch. The residents feasted on Bier, Bratwurst, Schnitzels, Kransky, Sauerkraut, Pretzels, and a German potato salad, made by Nellie, which was quickly gobbled up!

Rob amped up the fun with his giant speaker, filling the air with lively Alpine tunes that had everyone tapping their feet and raising a glass. A huge thank you to everyone who joined in the fun and made the afternoon such a hit! Special shoutout to Rob for manning the BBQ, to all who dressed up in true Oktoberfest style, and to those who lent a hand with the cleanup. Prost to a wunderbar day!

Cleo’s Tales of Humour and Heart

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On a bright and cheerful spring afternoon, Cleo once again took us on a journey through the wonderfully colourful chapters of her life. With her trademark blend of humour and heart, she painted vivid pictures that had the audience smiling, laughing, and even pausing to reflect. From the playful giggles and unforgettable mishaps of gym class to the touching and often comical antics of her beloved dog, Kelly, each story carried a spark of joy and authenticity. Residents and guests alike leaned in, completely captivated by her every word, as Cleo wove together moments of everyday life with the kind of wit and warmth that makes her storytelling so memorable. The talk was followed up by a delightful afternoon tea, with Nellie’s now-famous asparagus and ricotta tart!

A Slice of Capri in the Garden

/ Bondi Beach Astra Retirement/

There are parties, and then there are experiences that whisk you away, and last week's garden soirée, was a lemon-themed party to remember! Set in the courtyard bathed in golden sunlight with a light breeze, the scene was an instant escape to Capri or somewhere else in Southern Italy.

The menu was a celebration of simple, fresh flavours and the table was adorned with an array of homemade treats, including an asparagus and ricotta tart, which proved to be quite the hit.

If the goal was to bottle up the spirit of Capri and pour it into a perfect September afternoon, then this garden party was a resounding success. A beautiful blend of elegance, freshness, and festivity — proof that when life gives you lemons…you should throw a party!

Day trip to Sydney Zoo

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Sydney Zoo houses over 30 exhibits with more than 4,000 animals, including exotic and native species like lions, tigers, zebras, giraffes, baboons, quokkas, Tasmanian devils, elephants and many more. It is the only combined zoo and aquarium in NSW and was thoughtfully designed to ensure the comfort of the animals and the guests. The zoo took us through Primate Boulevard, where we were greeted by baboons, chimpanzees, and ring-tailed lemurs. A leisurely stroll along the African Boardwalk allowed us to observe lions, hyenas, zebras, and picturesque savannah scenes within mixed-species habitats, including Sydney's only rhino!

One visitor was especially enchanted by the meerkats and their petite size. The zoo proudly features the world's largest reptile and nocturnal house, housing some of Australia's most venomous snakes. A standout moment of our visit was witnessing the adorable koalas and their charming joeys. We were able to explore the entire zoo in roughly two hours and returned to Bondi just as the weather began to shift for the worse. Overall, it was a fantastic day out and an absolute must-visit for animal lovers!

Infinity Rehab Presentation

/ Bondi Beach Astra Retirement Village /

Infinity Rehab is a well-renowned mobile rehabilitation service that brings physiotherapy right to your home (or in our case, village), ensuring comfort and ease. Jessica, the owner and head physiotherapist, visited the Astra recently to share her knowledge on exercises for seniors, focusing on balance, fall prevention, and general fitness. Jessica recommended being active for a minimum of 20 minutes a day to elevate the heart rate and breathing, but not so that you can't still hold a conversation. A nice walk along the promenade with friends is the perfect example of an activity for residents to enjoy!

Christmas in July

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Our annual Christmas in July party was a huge hit! The Bondi Tratt once again delivered a mouth-watering Christmas meal, which some residents dubbed the best one yet! We then headed back to the Astra lounge for dessert, drinks and a bit of a boogie. Our entertainment was Breakfast at Tiffany's, a delightful duo that played an array of tunes, packing the dance floor.

Overall, it was a fantastic evening filled with merriment and cheer. Thanks to the Tratt for hosting us again, and a big shout-out to Breakfast at Tiffany’s. We hope to have them back again in December for the Christmas Party.

Guest Speaker - Andrew Campbell

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According to The Lancet medical journal, hearing loss is the leading modifiable risk factor in the prevention of dementia. We were fortunate to have Andrew Campbell, an independent adult rehabilitation audiologist with a Master's degree and a trailblazer in the audio field, join us to discuss his research. He shared valuable insights on how improving hearing can lead to a more fulfilling life and explored the links between untreated hearing loss and brain health.

Andrew is also the author of the bestselling book, Hearing and Brain Health, available for purchase on Amazon. If you want to learn about Andrew and his fascinating work, head to his website Neuaudio. www.neuaudio.com.au

Dovida Information Session

/ Bondi Beach Astra Retirement Village /

The lovely Juliet and Isabelle from Dovida Home Care Provider visited the Astra to give a presentation on navigating My Aged Care and the changes that will take effect in November this year. Topics covered included what’s changing with the new home support system, new package levels, the My Aged Care process, and some helpful resources to keep residents living at home comfortably and safely.

The informative presentation was, of course, followed by one of our famous Astra morning teas! Check out the link below or ask the office to find out more about Dovida and the fantastic work they do. Thank you, Juliet and Isabelle, for your visit! www.dovida.com.au

Wine Tasting with Goran from Regional Wines of the World

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Goran from Regional Wines of the World came to the Astra this week and brought with him a fine selection of wines from boutique winemakers around the world. Our tasting took us to regions of France, Italy, Argentina, Germany, California and Chile. Goran was very knowledgeable about grape varieties and the history of the wines and regions they came from. We were lucky enough to try wines with grapes exclusive to their region and not available anywhere else in Australia to purchase or sample. Goran brought six whites, five reds, a rose, and ended the tasting with a delicious coffee & butterscotch schnapps.

A favourite among the residents was the Schloss Koblenz Dornfelder 2020 from Germany. Dornfelder is a very fruity German red grape with hints of cherries, blackcurrants, and blackberries, soft tannins and a long, pleasant finish.

Check out their website for more information on their fantastic wine selection or to make a purchase and sample some wines for yourself.

www.regionalwinesoftheworld.com.au

Australia's Biggest Afternoon Tea

/ Bondi Astra Retirement Village /

The annual Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea (or Afternoon Tea) is a great way to support the Cancer Council. This year, we gathered in the lounge for a delightful spread, accompanied by Ces on the piano. A raffle was held with a grand prize of a $100 dinner voucher for the Tratt, won by Chris Harrison, who also won last year! Congratulations to Chris, Jo, and Alana, the other winners! A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed, and to the Bondi Trattoria, Chapter One, and Bondi Chemist for their generous prize donations. We managed to raise close to $500! Donations are still open, so please visit our Cancer Council page or stop by the office for more information.

www.biggestmorningtea.com.au/fundraisers/BondiAstra

Guest Speaker Gareth Robinson - Happiness Fly Wheel Part Two

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Gareth Robinson, the guru of communication, leadership, and good vibes, returned to the Astra for part two of the Happiness Flywheel, a four-step program designed to promote happiness and well-being. Gareth gave a wonderful presentation with residents taking away some useful tips and tricks on staying stress-free and happy. The session wrapped up again with a special happiness morning tea, featuring the most adorable “Bee Happy” cupcakes made with love, by Nellie.

Afternoon Tea with Piano

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Talented pianist Ces took centre stage at Astra, turning a traditional afternoon tea into a sing-along! Imagine sandwiches, scones piled high with jam and cream, and an array of pastries. Her setlist was a delightful mix, including hits from the Beatles, Bob Dylan, and Elvis, with an encore of some classical favourites. Attendees couldn’t resist joining in, singing along joyfully while savouring the music and treats. Ces will return on 21st May for our annual Cancer Council afternoon tea.

Guest Speaker Gareth Robinson - Happiness Fly Wheel

/ Bondi Beach Astra Retirement Village/

Gareth Robinson is a coach specializing in communication, leadership, and well-being, and we were fortunate to have him visit Astra to share his insights on happiness. He is the creator of the Happiness Flywheel, a four-step program designed to enhance happiness and well-being. A group of residents gathered in the lounge for a presentation on the initial two steps, with Gareth planning to return to present the final two steps in early May. The presentation was of course, followed by a delightful happiness-themed morning tea.



St Patrick's Day Ploughman's Lunch

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The Astra lounge transformed into a shamrock wonderland, bursting with green to honour St. Patrick's Day. The residents, decked out in green attire, tucked into a scrumptious ploughman’s lunch. Imagine a feast of meats, cheeses, fruits, pork pies, and Judith’s now legendary beer bread! Some folks even indulged in a pint of Guinness or a splash of Irish Cream, dialling up the Irish charm. The vibe? Joy and laughter, turning the afternoon into a rollicking good time filled with great craic!

Live Music Bingo

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Live music bingo is an engaging, interactive, and unique twist on the traditional bingo game. It combines the excitement of a live music performance with the fun of bingo. Instead of numbers, players receive 4 x 4 cards featuring song titles from the 1950s to the 1980s.

The Astra welcomed Derek from Juxtaposse, who kept the good times rolling with his ukulele, guitar, and selection of hits that crossed generations. His performance captivated the audience and inspired one resident, Len, to show off his air guitar skills to the Rolling Stones’ classic “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction.”

The first person to get four songs in a row or column won Bingo and got the first choice of prizes from the lucky dip bag! The next person had to get two rows or columns and so on until all the prizes had run out and Derek played all the tunes on our cards. It was a lot of fun and Derek even treated us to an encore!

Chinese New Year

/ Bondi Beach Astra Retirement Village /

Gong Hey Fat Choi! (Wishing you a prosperous year)

We celebrated Chinese New Year with a feast of dumplings, yum cha, fried rice, sides and matcha ice cream…. well we tried to celebrate with dumplings. Our event coincided with the Lantern Festival which marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations and as a result, it was a challenge to find dumplings! Fortunately, the Bondi Tratt stepped in at the last moment with some mouth-watering pizzas, adding an exciting Asian/Italian fusion twist to our day. We wrapped up our feast with fortune cookies and had fun with Judith’s traditional fortune sticks. Some fortunes turned out to be more favourable than others!

Summer of the Seventeenth Doll

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A part of Astra's rich history involves filming part of "Summer of the Seventeenth Doll" in what used to be the grand ballroom. Recently, we had a surprise visit from relatives of Mr. Allen Oldfield, who owned the building during the filming when it was known as the "Oldfield Hotel Astra."

Filming for the movie commenced in December 1958, starring Ernest Borgnine, Anne Baxter, John Mills, Angela Lansbury, and, of course, the iconic doll! The doll remains a cherished item in the Oldfield family, now cared for by Great-Granddaughter, Donna Oldfield. Take a look at these pictures showcasing the original doll alongside the Hollywood stars!


Australia Day BBQ & Quiz

/ Bondi Beach Astra Retirement Village /

Astra residents and guests traditionally welcomed Australia Day with snags on the barbie followed by lamingtons and bonus cakes from Michele and Rochelle.
The lounge was decked out with flags of the world to celebrate our multi-cultural nation and the flag of Australia taking pride of place.
Our resident chef Kirsty did a brilliant job as queen of the BBQ and Pom Len tested our colonial history knowledge with an Oz Day quiz. Many a yarn was told as blokes and sheilas settled into the afternoon around the imaginary campfire.

BBQ & Games Day

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After a week filled with promises of rain, the skies chose to pour on the day of our BBQ & Games Day! However, we refused to let the weather dampen our spirits. With the aid of an electric grill and a frying pan, we prepared a delicious BBQ feast featuring sausages, kebabs, salads, and Nellie’s homemade veggie skewers. We also organized a variety of games, with lawn bowls, Scrabble, Rumi tiles, and Connect Four being the favourites. Even though the weather was gloomy, everyone had a great time. Hopefully, for our next BBQ, the sun will shine so we can use a traditional BBQ and enjoy the courtyard!

Christmas Displays Bus Trip

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A group of us ventured into the city on a humid December evening to view some of the city's spectacular Christmas lights and displays. The first stop was QVB, where we saw the Christmas tree inspired by the natural beauty of Australia's flora and fauna. The next stop was the David Jones window’s which showcased Christmas-inspired promotions from Chanel, and Louis Vuitton amongst other luxury brands. The highlight was the adorable animated display of Lachlan Creagh’s beloved picture book; A Very Wombat Christmas.

We then ventured to St Mary’s Cathedral and has a wander around the market stalls and cathedral grounds. Unfortunately, we were a bit early to see the projections onto the Cathedral, but the grandeur and exquisite interior certainly made the stop worthwhile. Our final destination in the city was the Jolly Markets located at Belmore Park. These European-style markets showcase falling artificial snow, mulled wine, festive trinkets, and, of course, scrumptious food! On our return to the Astra, we took a drive along Avoca Street, one of Bondi's most enchanting, whimsical, and vibrant streets, where nearly every house was adorned with dazzling Christmas lights!