Lift Replacement

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The old Astra lift has had it's day and it’s time to usher in a new era in Astra lift history! Over a ten-week period we will be replacing the old lift with a new model, fitted out with a sophisticated interior that compliments the timeless Astra aesthetic. A few of the residents marked the occasion with a photo shoot and video (available to view on our Facebook and Instagram pages) to farewell the old lift.

On Monday, October 21st, it was all hands on deck as our shiny new lift motor soared up to the lift room on top of the building. Campbell Parade turned into a traffic control extravaganza, complete with boom gates and flashing lights. Although the wind delayed the works a little, the job was completed well before schedule. Several residents braved the cold to watch the entire setup from about 7 pm to 11 pm while those in the front units had a VIP view of the show!

A huge thankyou to the crane crew, the army of traffic controllers, and the TKE contractors for making it all happen. Onwards and upwards to the next phase!

Astralympics 2024

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The Astralympics wrapped up with a bang on Friday, August 8th! After two weeks of fierce competition, the medal ceremony went down in the Astra Lounge. The World team started strong, outplaying the Aussie squad in table tennis and rummy tiles. However, Australia clawed their way back, triumphing in carpet bowls, trivia, and snooker. In the end, the World Team snagged the gold, edging out the Aussie team by a mere two points! Huge thanks to all who joined in, with special thanks to Len for his epic organisation skills. The players all agreed that a regular game day is a must-do, so stay tuned for details on the next one!

Vivid Bus Trip

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It was a cold June evening when a group of us rugged up and ventured into the city to see the VIVID lights. The first stop was Hickson Road Reserve where we wandered around and enjoyed the lights of the bridge, Opera house, tall ships and surrounds. A highlight (no pun intended) was the Light Connection exhibit by New Zealand Artist, Angus Muir. The mesmerizing canopy of LED lights enveloped you in a vibrant glow, accompanied by the soothing sounds of nature. It was an enchanting experience to wander through, getting lost in the immersive atmosphere.

The bus then continued onto Kirribilli and Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, where Len captured a magnificent shot of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

Cinco De Mayo

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The Astra lounge was bursting with colourful decorations and the lively tunes of mariachi music during our Cinco De Mayo celebration (well, Ocho De Mayo in our case). We had a great turnout and some residents really got into the spirit by donning sombreros and ponchos for the occasion. While some residents got into the spirits and enjoyed some delicious margaritas! There was an abundant taco bar for residents to feast on with an array of meats, sides, salsas, tortillas and guac. Overall, it was a fantastic afternoon and everyone left satisfied with full bellies, ready for a siesta!

Special thanks to Alan and Bar 34 for generously providing some margaritas and to everyone who helped out. The event was so successful it will become an annual tradition. Until next year adios!

Kambala Chamber Music Outreach Initiative

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We recently hosted a delightful visit from the students of Kambala School as part of the Kambala Chamber Music Outreach Initiative. The performances, which lasted approximately an hour, showcased two pianists, a flute trio, and a string quartet. These talented girls performed captivating pieces by various composers such as Mozart, Chopin, and even a traditional Ukrainian folk song.

A large number of residents gathered in the lounge to enjoy the concert and share in a lovely afternoon tea. Following the conclusion of the performances the girls were quite happy to join in afternoon tea and get to know the residents. A big thank you to the prefects and teachers who arranged the musical groups, and, of course, to the exceptionally talented ladies for their remarkable performance that brought smiles to everyone present.

St Patrick's Day

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The Astra lounge was filled with shamrocks and a vibrant green hue in honor of St Patrick’s Day. The residents broke out their finest green attire and gathered for a delicious ploughman’s lunch. Lunch was a lovely mix of sweet and savory foods and some traditional soda bread care of the Bondi markets and Paddy the Baker. Some residents enjoyed a sip or two of Guinness, adding an extra Irish flair to the event.  The ambiance was cheerful and airy, accompanied by Irish melodies playing in the background and jovial banter and storytelling shared amongst the guests at the tables. Overall, it was a fantastic afternoon and good craic!

Bus Trip to The Auburn Botanical Gardens

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This month a group of residents ventured to the urban oasis known as the Auburn Botanical Gardens. The tranquil grounds are home to a stunning range of flora and fauna, ponds and lakes and even a waterfall. It was a perfect autumn day for a stroll around the lush gardens and to enjoy a picnic lunch. A highlight of the day was when a mischievous peacock decided to pull a disappearing act after a gate was left open! But fear not, because our very own peacock-whisperer, Noni, channelled her inner country girl and expertly guided the runaway bird back home, much to the amusement of everyone else!

Casino Day

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A group of residents came together in the Astra lounge for an enjoyable afternoon filled with games, socializing, drinks, and charcuterie. The lounge was beautifully themed as a casino for the day, complete with three tables offering Blackjack, Roulette, and other card games. Players received a stack of chips to play with, there were no rules at this casino, or rather the rules were made up (and changed) as we played along. Special mention goes out to Darryl the pro roulette croupier who kept the good times rolling!

The gathering was a delightful occasion with drinks, laughter, and merriment. The event was a huge hit, prompting thoughts of turning it into an annual tradition. Thanks to everyone who joined and contributed to the festive atmosphere.

Insightful Visit from the Director of Seniors Fitness

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This week, we had a visit from Emily, the Director of Seniors Fitness, who delivered a captivating talk on improving well-being through exercise. The talk covered a range of topics including an overview of common health conditions, the benefits of exercise, fall prevention, and a demonstration of some exercises. During the presentation, Emily elaborated on the distinction between physiotherapy and exercise physiology. Physiotherapy is recommended for acute injuries, while exercise physiology focuses on long-term injuries and strength enhancement. Regular exercise was emphasized for faster post-surgery recovery, fall prevention, and overall daily well-being.

Seniors Fitness provides tailored programs either at their Bondi Junction studio or in the convenience of your home. The session was highly informative, leading to increased interest among residents, with some signing up for future sessions. A big thank you to Emily and Seniors Fitness for their enlightening visit to the Astra!

Australia Day

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Crikey! What a flamin’ good day for a BBQ! Some of the Astra residents took advantage of the beautiful summer weather and partook in a shared meal and BBQ to celebrate Australia Day. Everyone chipped in with food and drinks, and the result was a mouth-watering feast. One highlight of the day was when Lore, who hadn't tasted a Lamington in 50 years since her arrival in Australia, finally got to sink her teeth into one.

Bus Trip To The Teahouse At The Crown Towers

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Established in 2020, the Tea House at the Crown is the perfect fusion of a traditional Chinese tea house and an uber-modern lounge bar. After seeing the beautiful pictures online a group of us ventured into the city to check it out. When we arrived at the Crown Towers we headed through the decadent foyer and up to the Tea House. We were seated in one of the coveted “birdcages” but ultimately chose to sit on the balcony and enjoy the views of the harbour and the boats passing by. Although the weather wasn’t the greatest the atmosphere, ambience and views certainly made up for it. We sampled some of the beverages on offer, Alana tried the spicy, tequila-infused “Mango Tango” cocktail and Nellie tried the “Madame Butterfly” and the fiery “Sichuan Boulevardier”, all of which were delicious! The group then headed to 88 Noodle, a restaurant with a tantalizing mix of Shanghai, Singapore, and Thai cuisines. After a hearty meal, it was time to say goodbye to the Crown's glitz and glam and head back to the Astra.

Bus Trip To See The Christmas Lights

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This month's bus trip was a festive one! A group of residents (and Anna) went to see the Christmas displays adorning some of the city’s most famous landmarks. The highlight of the trip was St Mary’s Cathedral, its stunning projections on the building façade accompanied by joy-filled music embodied the holiday spirit perfectly. The trip started at the QVB to see a unique Christmas tree honouring the importance of Aboriginal culture. From the QVB the group made their way to Pitt Street Mall and the David Jones animated window display. This year’s display was inspired by the beloved children’s book “Twelve Dogs of Christmas” by Alison Ritchie. Next up was Martin Place and its 3.4-metre colour-changing tree! Every 15 minutes or so the tree would change colours and play Christmas songs. The last stop in the city was St Mary’s Cathedral where the group took some great photos and got to look inside the Cathedral where real pine trees lined the aisles. The Cathedral grounds were filled with families and friends enjoying the lights and markets.

On the way back to the Astra, Nick the bus driver, took the group through Avoca Street in Bondi where almost every house was lit up and included some great holiday displays.

This trip was a sleigh-full of magical memories!

Christmas Party

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Tis the season to be jolly! And jolly we were at the annual Bondi Astra Christmas party! The night kicked off with drinks in the lounge then the residents and guests settled into the Bondi Tratt for a hearty Christmas feast. The Tratt once again delivered a beautiful meal with all the trimmings and plenty of libations, which enhanced the already festive atmosphere. After dinner, the residents and guests headed back to the Astra lounge for dessert, more drinks and speeches. The lucky door prize raffle was awarded to a bunch of lucky residents, with the first winner being Cleo who scored a fabulous bottle of bubbly. Once the formalities were out of the way the music was turned up and the residents (and staff!) danced the night away.

It was a fantastic night with lots of merriment, good cheer and a fun time had by all! Thanks to everyone who was involved and to the Bondi Tratt for another wonderful Christmas dinner.

Farewell Anna

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After seven years, Anna has decided to finish her studies and pursue a career in graphic design, sadly this means she will no longer be working at the Astra ☹

Anna has been an integral part of the Astra over the years and has made a lasting impact on residents and staff alike. Her creativity and ingenuity have been showcased at the many events and activities she has organised, Anna has been instrumental in implementing regular events/activities such as the Astra book club and technology workshops.

Her kind nature has touched the residents and is reflected in their smiles as they have grown to cherish her over the years.

Although it is goodbye, it’s more “see you later” as Anna hopes to still attend the monthly book club meetings and will be joining us at the Christmas party! From the staff and residents, we wish Anna all the best in all your future endeavors and will miss you greatly!

Melbourne Cup

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This year’s Melbourne Cup was a huge success…Once we found the correct channel on the TV! It was a lovely afternoon which included fancy frocks and fascinators, a sumptuous feast and drinks flowing. The atmosphere was filled with lots of conversations and laughter while the Astra lounge was adorned with colourful decorations. Congratulations to the cup winner Without a Fight and all the sweeps winners at the Astra!

Fire Drill

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Three strapping Bondi firemen came to the Astra to observe our annual fire drill! Flora held a short information session before the drill to talk through our procedure, and to answer any questions residents might have. The main things to remember are: 1, in the event of a fire alarm sounding, exit the building as quickly as possible by the fire stairs (do not use the lift). 2, don’t stop to pick up possessions on your way out. 3, meet at the fire assembly points so that village management/the fire response team know you are safely out. The drill went smoothly and our fireies stayed just long enough to make sure everything was under control. Flora got her workout for the day running up and down the fire stairs to check on residents who are less mobile! Stay safe everybody.

Open Day

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We did manage to get a bit of sun at our long-awaited open day, and Bondi Beach was looking beautiful despite the inclement weather. It was exciting as we opened our doors again for the first time since the pandemic hit and welcomed prospective residents into the building for an open day. We also welcomed Craig Bennett, President of the Retirement Village Residents Association, to speak to us about retirement living. There were plenty of opportunities for prospective residents to speak to current residents and staff, as well as Craig and members of the Strata Committee. We had some presentations from Craig and Sam, Director of Bondi Beach Astra, which discussed moving into a retirement village. The lunch break gave us another opportunity to mingle, while eating some delicious food put on by the village. After lunch, Flora (Village Manager), Penny (OC Chair) and Rob (Residents’ Representative) gave short talks about the Astra specifically, and there were opportunities for guests to ask questions about the village. Thank you to everyone who gave up their time to come down and see our fabulous heritage listed building and meet our friendly residents. We loved meeting you and hope you will stop by again soon.

Welcome to Our New Residents

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Welcome to Ron, our newest resident! We have been blessed with three new residents moving in over the past couple of months (Deborah, Sonya and Ron), and we are so happy that they are all here. Ron moved to the Astra from Woolwich, and he loves his new environment. He and several of his family members have told us how delighted they are with his move here. They are impressed with his apartment, its spaciousness and location, its accessibility to services and transport, and with the communal environment in the building. Ron already loves to join in with all the social events that we put on, and it is an absolute pleasure to have him in our community. What a fabulous village we have, and what wonderful residents 😊

What Do You Need to Think About When Downsizing?

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There are many benefits to downsizing, but also plenty of things to consider when deciding if it is the right move for you. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but we hope that it will give you a firm foundation for starting on your downsizing journey...

  • Pros and cons of downsizing:

    • More upfront capital from selling your larger home. The Retirement Village model of 99 year leases even removes stamp duty from the equation. When buying into a Retirement Village lease, you do not pay stamp duty on entry, but you do pay a departure fee (also known as a Deferred Management Fee) on leaving the property. Although having more money may affect your Aged Pension (please check with your financial advisor if this could be an issue for you), having upfront capital allows you to control how you live your life now and allows for better planning for the future.

    • Fewer ongoing costs and improved cash flow. Utility bills, insurance payments, council rates and other ongoing costs are often lower in smaller properties. This could free up money to invest, spend on goods and services, or save for a rainy day. Importantly, many retirees want more financial security for the future, knowing they may have less money coming in then.

    • Differences in space and flexibility. Living in a smaller home may mean you have fewer rooms and less space for entertaining than you are used to. However, smaller homes are generally much easier to maintain and clean, and downsizing might mean you have fewer areas in your new home that are unused or under-used. You also might not lose as much stuff!

    • Fewer material things - many downsizers will use their move as an opportunity to declutter and throw away, or sell, their unwanted things. And since there is plenty of evidence that decluttering is good for your health as well as your wallet, this could be beneficial on several fronts.

    • Emotional connections and memories. Often, when people are considering downsizing from their family home, they fear losing all the memories and emotional ties that go along with that home. It can be daunting to make the break, but don’t worry the memories come with you and you will make a connection to your new place or neighbourhood quicker than you think. The saying “a change is as good as a holiday” exists for a reason, and there’s nothing like making memories in a new place when it’s the right fit for your next phase in life.

    • More convenient. You can choose a layout and fittings that better meet your needs, or a location closer to family, transport and services.

  • Financial considerations:

    • Selling your existing property (marketing costs, agent’s fees, conveyancer, other legal fees)

    • Financial advisor consultation

    • Moving costs - furniture removal etc...

    • Cost of living in your new area

    • Reduced repairs and maintenance costs

  • Do your research and decide on what’s most important for you:

    • What are your financial goals?

    • What are your future plans, or what would you like them to be?

    • What are you hoping to gain from downsizing?

    • Are you currently spending your limited time doing things you WANT to be doing?

    • What are the available amenities in the new place, and will you feel safe and connected?

    • What are your needs for personal space, visitors, storage?

    • What do you like about your home?

    • What could you do without?

    • How many rooms do you need?

    • Do you want to move somewhere calm and quiet, or busy and populated?

    • Do you enjoy walks by the beach, shopping in city centres, or spending time in national parks?

    • Are there any particular amenities that you want or need close by?

    • Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to research and do everything you need to do before you have to move. If it seems like downsizing might be a good move for you, hopefully you will see it as writing an exciting new chapter in your life story. So before you start you should make a draft, a blueprint you can use to ensure your move will go as smoothly as possible.

  • Who to consult about making a move:

    • Family and friends

    • Legal advisors

    • Financial advisors

    • NSW Fair Trading (they have a handy guide to your rights and responsibilities).

Please make sure to speak to a financial advisor and/or a solicitor before undertaking any big financial decisions. If you have any further questions about Retirement Village living in general, or Bondi Beach Astra specifically, please ring or email, or visit our FAQs.

Perks of Living at Bondi Beach Astra

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What are the advantages of living at the Bondi Beach Astra Retirement Village? We are obviously a bit biased, but we think there are many amazing reasons to think about moving here. After reading our list we hope you agree…

Location

We are located right across the road from Bondi Beach, with easy access to Bondi Junction and Sydney city centre. The view of the beach from the Astra building is hard to beat. Being a beach suburb means many of our residents walk along the coast daily, and a fair number will swim or surf throughout the year. We are situated just across the road from Bondi Icebergs at the south end of the beach, and are a pleasant walk to the ocean pools at the north end. With this scenery on their doorstep, our residents are thrilled to spend time outdoors, keeping active and connected to their environment, and with family and friends.

Facilities

Our communal lounge is a comfortable, sunny area that is used by residents all year round. There are always a few jigsaws on the go on the tables closest to the kitchen (good for getting a cuppa and a biscuit too), and groups of residents get together to play games regularly throughout the week. In addition to the games, our lounge has a library, a table tennis table and a snooker room with a snooker table, flat screen TV and computer nook. Outside the lounge is a lovely private courtyard with tables and chairs and a BBQ for everyone to enjoy. The village also has a dedicated gym area and heated pool for those wanting to stay active. For those who like to drive we have a private basement car park with spaces for lease, plus two visitor spots for short-term use by family and friends.

Concierge Services

Our Village Manager is onsite weekdays from 8:30am to 4:30pm, and on hand to help wherever needed. All our staff are friendly and approachable, and are always willing to provide concierge services to residents and visitors. We help with resident wellbeing, handyman tasks, technology issues, administration, scheduled maintenance and welcoming visitors, plus many other ad hoc things to keep life in the village running smoothly. It is important for our community to have access to practical services; equally important is the role that our staff play in providing a smiling friendly presence as people walk in and out of the building, an ear to listen, or some time for someone who has stopped by for a chat.

Social Events

We have a full social calendar (out of COVID lockdown) of events and activities. These events, including lunches and teas, varied activities, and days out, are some of the highlights for many people living at Bondi Beach Astra. We try to put on a range of activities and events that cater for different tastes, and have regular gatherings throughout the year. For more information on what we have done, are doing, or will do, check out our What’s On and Blog pages.

Food and Drink

With so many fabulous coffee shops at Bondi Beach, it’s no wonder that we regularly see residents popping in and out for that caffeine hit throughout the day. And since Bondi is a multicultural suburb, we have restaurants of all different flavours in the area. There are so many great places to choose from, but a favourite of our residents is the Bondi Tratt which, conveniently, happens to be located just next to the main entrance of the Astra building!

Access to Healthcare

There are plenty of pharmacies, GPs and other medical centres in the area. In the village each apartment comes with a 24/7 medical alarm system. Even if you don’t need to access those services now, it is still a comfort to know that if you do there will be lots of options for you around. Our residents fully appreciate being this close to so many world-class medical facilities.

Shopping

With grocery stores and boutique shops at the beach, and larger shops and shopping centres along Bondi Road and at Bondi Junction, there are so many places our residents can go to shop. Bondi really has a small town community feel, while remaining connected to city amenities.

Local Events and Places of Interest

Venturing further away from home, libraries, RSLs and community centres offer a chance to make friends with people from all around the area. And with easy access to the city, Circular Quay, the Botanic Gardens, and the many cultural and artistic venues that Sydney has to offer are just a bus ride away.

If you would like to learn more about the Bondi Beach Astra lifestyle, please contact us or visit our FAQs. We, and our friendly residents, can’t wait to hear from you.