Lunar New Year

/ Bondi Beach Astra Retirement/

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).

Barefoot Bowls at Waverley Greens

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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.

Australia Day BBQ

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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.

Games Day & Lunch

/ Bondi Beach Astra Retirement/

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.

Gingerbread House Decorating Afternoon

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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. 🎄🍬

Christmas Party

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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.

Melbourne Cup Lunch

/ Bondi Beach Astra Retirement/

It was off to the races for our Melbourne Cup lunch! Guests gathered for an afternoon of excitement, laughter, and great company as we celebrated the race that stops the nation. Everyone enjoyed a delicious spread of food and bubbly drinks, while cheering on their favourites and soaking up the lively atmosphere. The room was buzzing with energy, with fabulous fashions on display and plenty of friendly competition in our sweeps. From the stylish outfits to the thrilling race moments, it was a fun-filled afternoon enjoyed by all. Congratulations to Half Yours and all the winners on the day (Nellie, Jo, and Eva took out first place in the $5 & $2 sweeps). We can’t wait to do it all again next year!

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!

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!

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.

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

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.

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!

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!

Lift Opening Ceremony

/ Bondi Beach Astra Retirement Village /

After 72 days of climbing stairs, we are thrilled to finally unveil our new lift, a day ahead of schedule! This modern lift operates quietly and smoothly and is equipped with all the bells and whistles. We celebrated this milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and some words from Penny on the ground floor, followed by refreshments and bubbly in the lounge.

A huge thank you goes out to TKE for their outstanding work and for being a pleasure to have in the building. We also appreciate everyone who contributed during this time, with special recognition to Chase and Chen, as well as to all for their patience and cooperation during what could have been a challenging period.

Additionally, we must acknowledge Nick, our fantastic Building Manager, along with Penny, the OC committee, Sam, and the office team.

We did it!