Welcome to the official Bondi Beach Astra blog, detailing events and activities that have been happening this year at the Astra. Read about our day trips, festive occasions and open days...you heard it here first!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Elvis was in the building! Award-winning performer Mike Valentine brought the King to life at the Astra, delivering a lively afternoon filled with singing, dancing, and plenty of fun. Residents were soon clapping and singing along to classics like Jailhouse Rock, In the Ghetto, and I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry. One of the standout moments came when our very own “Priscilla Presley” joined Elvis on the floor for a spontaneous dance, much to everyone’s delight. The show wrapped up on a high, with Elvis sticking around for photos and even enjoying a slice of pizza, kindly provided by the Tratt. A big thank you to Mike for such an entertaining performance, and to the Tratt for keeping everyone well fed. We hear Mike also has a repertoire of other famous crooners—so we’re already looking forward to his next visit!
Thanks to modern technology, we enjoyed the annual Premier’s Gala Concert from the comfort of home, a glass of bubbles in one hand and a scone in the other. While a few lucky residents attended in person, the rest of us settled into the Astra Lounge for a front-row experience via live stream. The afternoon featured performances from some great Aussie talent with a range of tunes from classic hits to toe-tapping medleys. Paired with a delightful afternoon tea, it was not a bad way to spend a Thursday afternoon.
A spirited St Patrick’s Day lunch brought a touch of the Emerald Isle to the Astra. Guests enjoyed a hearty ploughman's lunch and plenty of cheer to go around. From comforting classics to a sweet finish, every bite was enjoyed alongside laughter, storytelling, and perhaps a toast or two. Dressed in shades of green, guests embraced the festive spirit, sharing good company and a bit of Irish charm, making it a memorable celebration full of good craic!
Residents congregated to celebrate Lunar New Year with a festive lunch centred around a delicious feast of dumplings, as we welcomed in the Year of the Fire Horse. Steaming, shared plates filled the table, offering everything from classic pork and chive to prawn and ginger, vegetarian, fluffy BBQ pork buns, as well as Asian greens, salads, and a mochi dessert. As everyone sampled the different flavours, the room buzzed with laughter (especially as the fortune cookie messages were read aloud!), conversation, and warm wishes for good fortune. It was a joyful and relaxed lunch that brought everyone together to share great food and celebrate new beginnings. 🥟🔥Until next year, Gong hei fat choi! (wishing you great happiness and prosperity).
A group of us descended on Waverley Greens for some epic games of lawn bowls and friendly competition. We split into two teams of three and got straight into the action, with plenty of laughs along the way. There were some impressive deliveries, a few unlucky gutter bowls, and lots of close calls that kept everyone cheering and on their toes. The atmosphere was relaxed but competitive, with encouragement and playful banter flowing throughout the game. In the end, the red team just edged out the yellow team in a very close finish, making the match all the more exciting. After working up a healthy appetite, we made our way to The Avery, where we sat down to enjoy fabulous food, great conversation, and the chance to relive the game's highlights. It was the perfect way to round out a fun and social day together.
Residents gathered in the lounge and courtyard to celebrate Australia Day with a classic Aussie BBQ. Len fired up the grill with plenty of sizzling snags, filling the air with that unmistakable BBQ aroma. While Nellie and Michele treated everyone to delicious homemade desserts, including green-and-gold cupcakes, cinnamon swirls, and cheesecake. Everyone enjoyed a laid-back afternoon of great food and good company as they soaked in the peaceful summer vibes.
Our Games Day was a wonderful mix of friendly competition, laughter and fun, with something for everyone to enjoy. Guests played at tables, trying their hand at Scrabble, Rumi Tiles and Trivial Pursuit, while others got active with lawn bowls, table tennis and snooker. Classic favourites like Connect Four and Operation added plenty of smiles and light-hearted moments along the way. We then came together to enjoy a relaxed lunch, which included sandwiches, Nellie’s famous asparagus tart, salads and ice cream for dessert. It was a fun, social day filled with great games, good food, and even better company.
Our gingerbread house decorating afternoon was a delightful celebration of creativity and festive cheer. The table was filled with colourful lollies, icing, and gingerbread as everyone let their imagination run wild designing their own sweet masterpieces. But first, we had to assemble our gingerbread houses, a task that proved trickier than expected and sparked plenty of laughter and a wee bit of frustration along the way! Adding to the excitement was a friendly competition for the best (and worst) gingerbread house. The competition was judged blind by Nick, our lovely building manager, and the top spot was awarded to Marie for her thoughtfully curated design. Judith almost took out first place with her classic motif, but was ultimately disqualified for her use of sticky tape. Special mention goes to Gillian, who was awarded the Wooden Spoon for her deconstructed gingerbread house. Lots of joy and laughter filled the room, making it a warm and joyful afternoon spent together, as we celebrated creativity, connection, and the festive season. 🎄🍬
Our annual Christmas party was a festive night to remember, beginning with another delicious Christmas dinner at the Tratt, where we enjoyed great food, flowing conversation, and plenty of holiday cheer. The celebrations continued with dessert and live music by Breakfast at Tiffany’s, who had the dancefloor moving with their lively and feel-good performance. With wonderful company, festive flavours, and music that kept spirits high, it was a joyful way to celebrate the season together.
We were fortunate enough to welcome the radiant Jan Carmody to the Astra, where she captivated us with stories from her extraordinary life. From small-town beginnings to glittering Hollywood parties, Jan has truly seen and done it all! Her journey took off in 1957 when she won the Miss Riverina beauty contest, launching her modelling career. In 1960, she posed as one of the iconic Bondi mermaids and went on to be crowned Miss Australian Surf. The title earned her a world press tour alongside June Dally-Watkins and Mr Australian Surf, promoting Australia as a must-see destination.
One stormy Friday, we spontaneously decided to dig out an old DVD player and enjoy an impromptu movie day! Residents enjoyed popcorn and a screening of The Devil Wears Prada in the comfort of the Astra lounge.
Imagine walking along beautifully sculpted stone paths and bridges through tranquil gardens and ponds brimming with koi, all while cascading waterfalls drown out any noise from the surrounding city. The Chinese Garden of Friendship is a true oasis in the heart of Darling Harbour, offering a peaceful escape unlike any other. A group of us were lucky enough to wander through the gardens under glorious sunshine, soaking up the peace and serenity. We even had the chance to join in the koi feeding!
The Bondi Beach Astra is a Retirement Village comprised of 55 independent living units, situated in the heart of Sydney's Eastern Suburbs. The Astra is a beautiful art-deco building on Campbell Parade, directly opposite the iconic Bondi Beach. Residents of the Astra have access to a wide range of facilities such as a communal lounge, games room, courtyard with BBQ and indoor pool area with serviced gym equipment. The Bondi Beach Astra is perfect for active, independent and social people over 55 years of age, who value comfort, natural beauty and community. Close to shops, restaurants and parks, the Astra is conveniently situated close to Bondi Junction and the city of Sydney. There are a small number of excellent properties available for sale now - don't miss this once in a lifetime opportunity!
Alternatively, call us now on 02 9365 3344.
34 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach, NSW 2026
