Christmas Party

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Twas a warm summer evening, when the folks of Astra gathered for their annual Christmas bash! The festivities kicked off with drinks in the lounge, setting the stage for a delicious Christmas feast at the Bondi Tratt. Once again, the Tratt wowed us with a feast fit for Santa himself, complete with all the trimmings and enough drinks to make Rudolph blush! After we stuffed our bellies, we returned to the Astra lounge for some sweet treats, more sips, a jolly Christmas raffle, and speeches. A big shoutout to our lucky winners: Chris, Marie, Peter, and Cleo! It was a night bursting with laughter, cheer, and fun! Huge thanks to everyone who made it happen and to the Bondi Tratt for another spectacular Christmas dinner!!

Alice in Wonderland Tea Party

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We stepped through the looking glass and down the rabbit hole to indulge in a tea party the Mad Hatter would have been delighted to attend! The cake stands looked like a mouth-watering wonderland, overflowing with delightful goodies both sweet and savory! Teapots and flowers danced across the dining table, turning it into a whimsical feast fit for a fairy tale.

Eva whipped up her legendary cherry slice, Judith crafted the cutest cucumber sandwiches anyone ever did see, and Nellie baked a batch of chocolate chip cookies that were meant to read “eat me!” but somehow got lost in the baking.

The tea party coincided with Glenn’s last day at the Astra and allowed residents to say farewell and wish him luck in his future endeavours. Sam came along and presented Glenn with a fine bottle of scotch and some kind words.

It was a delightful afternoon, thanks to all who came along, and a big thank you to those who brought food and helped with the washing up!

Oktoberfest 2024

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Oktoberfest 2024 marked our first official event during the lift refurbishment period, and it was a huge success! A large group of residents came to the lounge to enjoy a feast of German cuisine including pretzels, sausages, sauerkraut and schnitzel. Some tasty German bier and sparkling wine accompanied the food while Bavarian tunes filled our makeshift beer hall with a festive ambiance.

A special mention goes out to those who dressed up, Cleo and Tony looked very smart in their lederhosen and Chris and Nellie were “twinning” in matching dirndls. Another massive thank you goes to Rob who took on the role of grill master and delivered some mouth-watering sausages!

Prost!

RSPCA Cupcake Day

/ Bondi Beach Astra Retirement Village /

The RSPCA is a fantastic charity dedicated to rescuing, treating and rehoming thousands of animals annually. The Astra crew jumped on the RSPCA Cupcake Day bandwagon to sprinkle some extra cash into their kitty and whipped up an afternoon tea party! Judith dazzled us with her scrumptious savory cheese biscuits, Michele baked a cloud-like banana bread, and Nellie came through with the cupcakes, bite-sized red velvet ones! A huge shoutout to everyone who donated and joined the fun—we raised an impressive $145 for the RSPCA, helping to stop animal cruelty and lend a paw to pets in need!

Men's Shed Chorale

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The Men’s Shed Chorale, known for their exceptional talent, graced the stage at the Bondi Astra and delivered a remarkable performance. Guided by a lively MC, the choir entertained the audience with a mix of humor and beautiful renditions of classic hymns and tunes. A highlight was the original song “Beautiful Sydney” by choir member Stanley Alchin. Their hour-and-a-half performance was divided into four segments: Places to Go, Classic Songs of Inspiration, Showtime, and Romance. The lads (as they like to be referred to) were accompanied by an extremely talented pianist, Belinda Tan, and charismatic musical director, Dan Parkee. During one of the interludes Dan and Belinda gave the lad's voices a rest and performed an enchanting violin and piano duet. Memorable moments included a touching rendition of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah and a powerful medley of You Are So Beautiful/Wind Beneath My Wings that moved many to tears.

It was the perfect way to spend a glorious spring afternoon and we look forward to inviting the lads back next year.

Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival

/ Auburn Botanical Gardens /

A mesmerizing spectacle unfolded within the Auburn Botanical Gardens during the annual Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival. The already stunning gardens had transformed into a feast for the senses! Stunning cherry blossom trails lined parts of the gardens offering the perfect photo opportunities while an abundance of Japanese food stalls filled the air with delectable flavours of all kinds. A group of us found a nice sunny (albeit a bit too sunny at times) table to sit and sample some of the tasty treats. This year, the festival celebrated Hello Kitty’s 50th birthday with special performances by Kitty and Hello Kitty-themed desserts, like a giant Hello Kitty head made from fairy floss that was so Kawai!
As the afternoon approached so did a nasty bunch of dark clouds which was our cue to head back to the east. It was such a beautiful and well-organised festival that we agreed to return next year.

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!

Christmas in July

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T’was a cold July evening when the residents and staff of the Astra gathered for the annual Christmas party in July! The evening commenced with drinks in the lounge before the residents and guests gathered at the Bondi Tratt for a festive Christmas dinner. The Tratt once again served a delightful meal with all the traditional accompaniments and a generous selection of drinks, adding to the festive ambiance. Following dinner, everyone returned to the Astra lounge for dessert, more drinks, the Christmas raffle, and speeches. Once the formalities concluded, the music was turned up, and residents (and staff!) danced until close to midnight. It was a delightful evening filled with joy, laughter, and a great time had by all! A big thank you to everyone involved and to the Bondi Tratt for hosting yet another splendid Christmas dinner.

Speaker Talk by Cleo Lynch

/ Bondi Beach Astra Reitrement Village Lounge/

Residents enjoyed an engaging and entertaining presentation by fellow resident and author Cleo. The session commenced with a captivating narrative on the history of Weston's Biscuit Factory and the wagon wheel. Next up was a hilarious account of strata living from the perspective of a downstairs neighbour, a highlight was the graphic details of the upstairs neighbour's nocturnal activities and bathroom routines. The atmosphere then shifted to a poignant and gripping account of overhearing a victim of domestic violence through shared walls, prompting contemplation on whether to intervene. The talk concluded with a delightful poem about the 433 bus route, which Cleo sent to the transport minister for consideration.

Overall, it was a wonderful afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended.

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.

Flora's Baby Shower & Farewell

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We all gathered in a sea of baby blue decorations to celebrate Flora's bun in the oven (baby Claudio) and to bid her adieu after her two-year stint at the Astra. Flora's time at Astra was pure magic - her no-nonsense charm, engaging persona, and heartwarming smile left an everlasting mark on everyone. Her sense of humour was infectious, and her laugh will echo throughout the Astra long after her departure!

Amidst a feast of treats like cakes, macarons, cucumber sandwiches, and baby quiches, residents watched as Flora unwrapped a mountain of gifts and listened to heartfelt speeches from Sam, Penny, and Len. We also got to meet the new Office Manager, Glenn Piper (he's aware of the big shoes he's stepping into - it's been mentioned a few times!).

The afternoon was full of laughter and a few tears (especially from Nellie). Despite bidding farewell to Flora, she will continue managing sales and will visit the Astra during unit inspections. Although saying goodbye is tough, we'll still have the chance to see her occasionally, making it more of a "see you later" situation.

We will also see her when she brings Claudio in to meet all his extra grandparents and aunties!

Australia's Biggest Afternoon Tea

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We'd love to bring you the photo story of our Biggest Morning Tea for the Cancer Council – but Len forgot to take any pictures! 

We can tell you that the event – held as an afternoon tea because we like to do things differently at the Astra – raised $646 for the Cancer Council. It was a magnificent effort.

 Our thanks go to our raffle sponsors the Bondi Tratt, Chapter One Cafe and Bondi Beach Chemist.

 Congratulations and thanks to all.

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!

Cheese Making Demo

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This month we had a visit by one of Sydney’s premier cheese makers, La Stella, for a fascinating insight into how mozzarella is made. Approximately 20 residents gathered in the lounge to witness Adriano Bamonte, the cheesemaker (and Flora's husband), demonstrate the intricate process of crafting mozzarella. Following the demonstration, everyone had the opportunity to savor the freshly prepared cheese and even take some home! Adriano also shared samples of their other cheeses, including a delectable white scamorza and a creamy stracciatella, which quickly became a crowd favourite. The cheeses were complemented with red, white, and sparkling wines, and we spent the afternoon enjoying cheese, wine, and great company. The event was a huge success, with some residents dubbing it their favourite Astra event! A heartfelt thank you to La Stella and Adriano for an unforgettable afternoon filled with delicious cheese and wonderful memories.

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.

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.