Oktoberfest 2026

/ Bondi Beach Astra Retirement/

The Astra lounge was given a Bavarian makeover for our annual Oktoberfest lunch, bringing a taste of Germany to Bondi! Residents tucked into a delicious feast of bier, knackwurst, cheese kranskys, sauerkraut, pretzels and Nellie’s homemade German potato salad, which disappeared in no time! We brought the party vibes with Alpine tunes filling the lounge that had everyone tapping their feet, singing along and raising a glass. A huge thank you to everyone who joined in and helped make the afternoon such a success! Special shoutout to Eva, who dressed to impress in her finest Oktoberfest outfit, and to those who pitched in with the cleanup.

Prost to a wunderbar afternoon filled with great food, good company and plenty of cheer!

Halloween Trivia

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It was a creepy, kooky and altogether spooky affair at this month’s trivia, with a wicked Halloween twist! 👻🎃

Guests were treated (or tricked!) to a frightfully delicious spread of Halloween-themed cheese platters, complete with some gruesome witch’s fingers. Questions ranged from classic horror movies and the origins of Halloween to the usual assortment of bizarre facts to boggle the brain! Our very own Nellie played the part of a blood-curdling nurse as she hosted the ghoulish games, with Team Goblins and Team Spiders battling it out for Halloween glory. The competition was fierce, the tension was terrifying, and the final result was almost too close to call… with Team Spiders crawling into victory by a mere half a point! 🕷️🏆 Everyone had a spooktacular time — and thankfully, no one lost their head… at least not literally! 💀

💄 A Little Pampering with Rageism Beauty! ✨

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Rageism Beauty specialises in high-quality makeup designed especially for mature skin. We were treated to a wonderful session of pampering and beauty tips with the lovely Catherine and her assistant (aka sister!), Victoria. Jo and Marie kindly volunteered as our models, and the results were stunning! Both ladies were glowing from the inside out.

Catherine shared her extensive knowledge of the products and took us through a step-by-step demonstration, from skincare preparation to the finished look. We picked up plenty of handy tips and tricks for mature skin, learning how the right products and techniques can make all the difference. The key takeaway? Makeup isn’t about covering up who we are, but enhancing our natural beauty and helping us feel fabulous at any age!

Trivia in September

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It was another month of trivia, random facts and a little bit of friendly competition! This month’s questions covered everything from geography, music and history to film — plus plenty of wonderfully weird facts. And, of course, we couldn’t leave out the burning question: how many brains does a leech have? The answer? 32!

The Three Little Pigs, Astoroids and The Rockers went head-to-head in the battle for trivia glory. It was a close one, with two teams tying for second place (or last place… depending on your perspective!), while the Astoroids came out on top with an impressive 43 points. 🏆 We also threw in a few Guess Who pictures, which definitely had everyone scratching their heads this month! 🤔 Think you can do better? Have a go and see if you can guess them all! Well done to everyone who joined in — and remember, there’s no such thing as useless knowledge when trivia is involved! Stay tuned for details on next month’s trivia.

Garden Party

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After a week of miserable weather, we were delighted when the sun finally came out for our spectacular spring garden party! It was the perfect excuse to get outdoors, enjoy some sunshine and celebrate the arrival of spring with good food and great company. Nellie prepared a delicious spring-themed spread of homemade treats, including asparagus tart, zucchini slice, potato salad and delicious lemon cupcakes. There was plenty to enjoy, and guests happily tucked in while catching up with friends and neighbours. The lounge and courtyard were transformed with cheerful lemon, blue and white decorations, creating a bright and summery atmosphere. Guests sipped on refreshing punch and iced tea, enjoyed the feast and made the most of the beautiful weather.After so much rain and gloomy weather, it was wonderful to finally see the sun shining over Astra. With plenty of laughter, delicious food and sunshine, our garden party was a lovely way to welcome spring!

Bus Trip to the Cherry Blossom Festival

/ Auburn Botancial Gardens/

Despite the gloomy skies, a brave little group of residents donned their raincoats and headed off to the annual Cherry Blossom Festival at Auburn Botanic Gardens. We enjoyed a relaxing drive to Auburn and happily wandered through the gardens, admiring the beautiful blossoms, peacocks and the aviary— at least until the rain decided it was time to go home! Luckily, we had a Plan B and retreated to the Auburn Tennis Club for a lovely lunch, good conversation and plenty of laughs. A little rain wasn’t going to spoil our day!

Movie Day 🎥🎬🍿🎞📽

/ Bondi Beach Astra Retirement/

Lights, Camera, Action! Residents enjoyed a private screening of The Devil Wears Prada 2 in our very own makeshift movie theatre. With the lights dimmed, curtains drawn and projector and speakers set up, the Astra lounge was transformed into a cosy cinema, complete with popcorn, lollies and drinks. The movie was a hit with residents, and, despite a couple of technical hiccups, it was a fantastic way to spend a lazy Tuesday afternoon!

Trivia & Guess Who - School Edition

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Did you know ice cream was invented in China? Or that koalas have fingerprints almost identical to humans? Just two of the random facts we discovered at this month’s trivia! Three teams battled it out for trivia glory, with Team Crumbles taking the top spot with 32.5 points—and continuing the winning streak for whoever happens to be sitting at the back table! The Ocean Lovers came in second with 26 points, followed closely by Team Bewildered on 25. For this month’s Guess Who, residents submitted old class photos, and the challenge was to match the faces to their younger selves. There were plenty of laughs, some impressive detective work and a few surprises!

🎄 Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas in July! 🎅

/ Bondi Beach Astra Retirement/

Our annual mid-year Christmas celebration was full of festive cheer—and this year, there was an extra reason to celebrate with the good news about the DA next door! Residents embraced the Christmas spirit, dressing in festive colours, while Len stole the show in his Santa hat, much to the delight of a curious youngster at the Trattoria. The Bondi Tratt once again pulled out all the stops with a fabulous meal, plenty of drinks and lots of merriment. After dinner, we headed back to the Astra lounge for dessert, speeches and music. The evening wrapped up with full bellies, happy hearts and plenty of laughter. A big thank you to everyone who joined us, and to the Bondi Trattoria for another wonderful night! 🎄🥂

Soup Thursday's in July

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Our Soup Thursdays have been the perfect remedy for chilly winter afternoons, bringing residents together each week to enjoy delicious homemade soup, great conversation and plenty of laughs. We kicked things off with a comforting homemade tomato soup served with crispy cheese toasties for dipping. The following week, a hearty pumpkin soup was on the menu, with some residents adding fresh coriander and a swirl of coconut cream for an Asian-inspired twist. On our third Soup Thursday, we celebrated Bastille Day with a rich and flavourful French onion soup. Next up, one of our talented residents treated everyone to a hearty homemade chicken and vegetable soup. and finally, we finished the month with a classic pumpkin soup. It was a wonderful way to finish the month. We can't wait to bring Soup Thursdays back next winter!

Trivia & Guess Where?

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This month's trivia saw the Golden Girls, The Back Stalls and the Oddballs vying for trivia glory and bragging rights. The Back Stalls took out the competition with a solid 39.5 points, with the other teams coming in equal second (or last?) with 35 points each. This month also featured a new "Guess Where" bonus round, which had everyone scratching their heads as they tried to identify mystery locations. It was a fun challenge, but by popular demand, we'll be bringing back the much-loved "Guess Who?" next time—with a school photo twist! Residents will submit childhood school photos, and everyone will have the chance to guess who's who. Check out some of the Guess Where photos. Can you guess where?

Bus Trip to the Sydney Fish Markets

/ Sydney Fish Market /

Our group recently visited the new Sydney Fish Market, and it certainly lived up to the hype! Home to more than 40 retailers, the market offers an incredible variety of fresh seafood, gourmet produce, specialty stores, takeaway options, and waterfront dining—there really is something for everyone. After exploring the market and browsing the many stalls, we made our way to The Boat Shed for a delicious lunch on the sunny outdoor deck. With beautiful views across the waterfront to the Anzac Bridge and plenty of July sunshine, it was the perfect way to round off a fantastic day out.

Devonshire Tea

/ Bondi Beach Astra Retirement/

There's nothing quite like freshly baked scones and a cup of tea on a chilly winter afternoon. Every Thursday throughout June, residents enjoyed a special afternoon tea, offering a wonderful opportunity to relax, socialise, and indulge in some delicious homemade treats.

Speaker Talk - Cleo Lynch

/ Bondi Beach Astra Retirement Village /

Resident Cleo once again captivated fellow residents and guests in the Astra lounge, sharing two more memorable stories from her remarkable life. Her first tale had everyone laughing as she recounted an unforgettable stay at an outback Airbnb run by the wonderfully eccentric Donald. Full of colourful characters and amusing mishaps. The second story took a more heartfelt turn, as Cleo reflected on the challenges of growing older and her personal experience caring for her mother through dementia. It was a touching and deeply moving account, beautifully balanced with Cleo's trademark wit and gentle humour, leaving the audience both smiling and emotional.

Trivia & Guess Who?

/ Bondi Beach Astra Retirement/

Our last trivia afternoon was such a hit that we decided to do it all over again! This time, we added a special “Guess Who?” challenge, where residents submitted photos of their younger selves for everyone to identify. Congratulations to Barbara Reen, who correctly matched 11 of the 15 photos and took out the top spot. The trivia questions covered a wide range of topics, including geography, fashion, movies and television, wildlife, quirky facts, and history. Three teams battled it out for trivia glory, with “The Goodies” claiming first place with an impressive 41 points. Close behind were the “Off Your Rocker Travelers” on 39.5 points, followed by “Thick as Two Short Planks” with 33 points. It was another wonderful afternoon filled with laughter, friendly competition, and plenty of fun. We can’t wait for the next one!

Vegas Variety Show

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The Astra Lounge was transformed into a sparkling Las Vegas casino as Mike Valentine returned to entertain residents with his popular Vegas Variety Show. Celebrating the timeless hits of legendary Las Vegas crooners, Mike captivated the audience with songs made famous by Tom Jones, Engelbert Humperdinck, Neil Diamond, Bobby Darin, Frank Sinatra and, of course, the King himself, Elvis Presley. The show kicked off with a lively rendition of It's Not Unusual, and the hits kept coming with favourites including I've Got You Under My Skin, Sweet Caroline, Dream Lover, Quando, Quando, Quando and Viva Las Vegas, which had several residents up on their feet and dancing. Following the performance, residents enjoyed a delicious lunch featuring a hearty selection of pizzas, salads, chicken and sides. A huge thank you to the talented Mike Valentine for another afternoon of outstanding entertainment, and to Bondi Trattoria for providing the delicious pizzas that helped make the day such a success.

Trivia Afternoon

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What do you call a group of flamingos? What did Alfred Nobel invent? And in which country is it illegal to own just one guinea pig?

If questions like these spark your curiosity, you would have loved our recent trivia afternoon! Three teams battled it out across three rounds of 20 questions, covering everything from general knowledge to quirky facts from around the globe. Team Babble claimed first place with an impressive lead, followed by Team Awesome in second, while The Drinkers rounded out the scoreboard in third (no surprises there!). The afternoon was filled with laughter, friendly competition, and plenty of surprising answers. And for those still wondering — a group of flamingos is called a flamboyance, Alfred Nobel invented dynamite, and in Switzerland it is illegal to own just one guinea pig.

Australia's Biggest Morning Tea

/ Bondi Beach Astra Retirement/

It was our fifth year hosting Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea at the Astra, proudly raising funds for the Cancer Council. Residents and guests came together for a wonderful morning filled with delicious treats, laughter, and community spirit in support of an important cause.The table was a colourful and tempting array of goodies, featuring everything from homemade cakes, slices, and freshly baked scones to refreshing fruit salads and yoghurt cups. There was truly something for everyone to enjoy.

Over cups of tea and coffee, everyone enjoyed the chance to connect, share stories, and support a cause that touches so many lives.  Congratulations to the winners of the raffle, Ron, who took out the first prize, a $100 Tratt voucher, Kirsty won the second prize, an $80 voucher for Amalfi Bondi beach, and Marie won a fabulous gift bag from the Chemist. A huge thanks to the Bondi Trattoria, Bondi Chemist, and Amalfi Bondi Beach for their generous donations! The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and it was lovely to see the community come together once again for such a meaningful event.

Maggie Mackenzie Author Talk

/ Bondi Beach Astra Retirement/

We were delighted to welcome author Maggie Mackenzie, who treated residents to a wonderful afternoon of storytelling and nostalgia as she shared memories of growing up in Bondi during the 1950s. Drawing from her memoir Get Back to Bondi, Maggie painted a vivid picture of life in a very different era, bringing to life the sights, sounds, and characters of old Bondi with warmth, wit, and humour. Residents thoroughly enjoyed hearing her charming and often hilarious recollections of childhood adventures. Maggie’s engaging storytelling style had the audience laughing, reminiscing, and reflecting on their own memories of days gone by.

Men's Shed Chorale

/ Bondi Beach Astra Retirement/

The talented Men’s Shed Chorale took to the stage at the Bondi Astra for a truly memorable afternoon of music and entertainment. Led by a lively MC, the choir delighted the audience with plenty of humour alongside beautiful performances of classic hymns and much-loved tunes.The program was thoughtfully divided into four sections — Choral Music, Romance, Showtime and Nostalgia — offering something for everyone to enjoy. Residents were also treated to a special violin performance by conductor Dan, accompanied by the exceptionally talented pianist Xianyu Qiu.A highlight of the afternoon was the show-stopping rendition of “We’re Going to Put on a Show” — and the lads certainly lived up to the promise! It was yet another fantastic afternoon at the Astra, and we look forward to welcoming the choir back again next year.