Bucket List for Retirees

/ Bondi Beach Astra/

It’s never too early to start planning for your future, and it’s never too late to achieve your dreams. That is why so many retirees are embracing the bucket list trend. We’ve put together some fun bucket list items for retirees and how Bondi Beach Astra could help you to fulfil them. The key things to remember with any kind of bucket list are to plan early and set yourself a realistic timeframe with realistic goals. And, most importantly, have fun!

(Please bear in mind that some of these suggestions cannot be undertaken in a lockdown pandemic, but why not plan for them now and have something to look forward to?)

  • Live by the beach. This is on people’s bucket lists the world over! What a privilege to be able to wake up every day and walk along the sand, go for a swim or just breathe the fresh sea air. Residents of Bondi Beach Astra love the beach and the lifestyle that comes with being in such a beautiful part of the world.

  • Travel. Another item that is on many people’s bucket lists, and although it’s hard to do in the current COVID-19 climate, it can’t hurt to dream. Many of our residents are prolific travelers (one has even published a book about travelling in her retirement years), and appreciate that their home is connected to so many different transport hubs. Whether travel is by bus, train, plane or boat, our residents love to take the opportunity to visit friends and family and make new friends visiting new places. While they are away, they can feel relaxed in the knowledge that they have a concierge to collect their mail, a secure and safe building to protect their belongings, and a raft of neighbours willing to water their plants!

  • Find a hobby/learn something new. There are so many things to do and learn out there that the world really is your oyster. Write a list of things you have always wanted to do, or do more of, and then see if there is a way that you can do them in your area or online. Bondi Beach is a diverse and vibrant community, and has so many in-person and virtual groups to join. Bondi Beach Astra itself has resident snooker and ping pong experts, as well as music maestros, who would be happy to play with you. And if you want to learn a new language? Chances are that you will find someone here who speaks it and who would be willing to chat with you to practice!

  • Learn a new watersport. What better way to spend your retirement than at the beach swimming, surfing, snorkeling or enjoying any number of other watersports? Bondi is known for good surfing, as well as beautiful ocean pools. And if the closest you want to get to the sea is walking along the promenade, then Bondi is great for that too! Our residents love to swim, surf, walk and just generally enjoy the beach atmosphere. It is truly a highlight of retirement living at Bondi Beach Astra.

  • Exercise more. There are so many things that you can do with exercise, it’s hard to know where to start! Whether it’s setting goals for increasing your exercise, just living somewhere that has nice places to walk outside, or finding classes to attend, exercise is hugely important for physical and mental wellbeing. There are plenty of local exercise classes, gyms and swim/surf schools at Bondi Beach. Our residents love to have an active lifestyle, and one of our residents even runs an in-house Qi Gong class each week for residents and friends. Our heated pool and gym area provide extra motivation to exercise without even having to leave the building.

  • Read more or start a book club. In addition to the bookshelves that we have in our common lounge area for resident use, there are many libraries in the area for you to choose from (Waverley Library, Woollahra Library, Watsons Bay Library and more…) Waverley Library also holds author talks, history lectures, screens movies, and many other cultural events throughout the year. A book club is a lovely way to connect with people and can also be run remotely while in lockdown. At Bondi Beach Astra we run a monthly book club, and it has been a great success not only for broadening our reading material but also for bringing neighbours together to learn more about one another.

  • Try food you’ve never eaten before, or eat lots of different foods from different countries. Food is often on people’s bucket lists too, and given Bondi’s multicultural population there are so many varieties of food for you to choose from here. Many restaurants and cafes are within walking distance of Bondi Beach Astra, and still more are accessible by take away and food delivery apps.

  • Spend more time with your grandkids. This is something that is really important to a lot of retirees. If you live closer to your family, you are more likely to be able to spend time with them, and with lots of fun things to do in Bondi there are plenty of options for activities for all ages throughout the year. Many of our residents chose to live in this area to be around family and many of them enjoy spending regular time with their grandkids. What a delight to be able to do that once you are no longer worrying about full time work.

  • Get a tattoo! For some people this is something that they’ve always wanted to do! Well, who says retirement isn’t the time for that? And Bondi Beach has got you covered!

  • Become CPR certified. It’s never too late! With so many SLSCs in the area there are many and various courses to take. You never know when something like this might come in handy…

  • Get environmental. When you live in an area with so much natural beauty you want to try to help keep it that way, and make sure that it is still around for your grandkids to enjoy in years to come. Why not attend, or organise, a beach clean up, or go plastic free for a month? With farmers markets in the area and Waverley Council’s commitment to environmental causes, there is something in Bondi to suit every green-conscious person.

  • Write a novel, or just start to write more. Many people have ideas that they wish they had written down, so when thinking of things to do in retirement why not this? Several of our residents have written books, both novels and non-fiction books, and there are local writing groups for support. If you think you have it in you to write more, what better inspiration than a beautiful beach view and having a cuppa and a chat with a fellow writing resident!

  • Organise a wine tasting at home. Let’s face it, we’ve all wanted to run or attend a tasting event of some sort at some point, be it wine, whisky, coffee, chocolate, cheese, or anything else that takes our fancy. Well, at Bondi Beach Astra we have put on wine and cheese tastings, a coffee tasting, and even a gin tasting. Not to mention the many cake, chocolate, biscuit, bread and other food events that have involved our residents (and staff) trying different things out. Imagine if you could have this in your home all the time!

  • Hold a neighbourhood BBQ. There aren’t many more Aussie things than a BBQ, catching up with your community in the fresh air with some good food and a few drinks. Bondi Beach Astra has a communal BBQ for residents and their friends and families to use, and we run social events throughout the year. It’s a must have for those warm and breezy summer days. 

  • Practise meditation. Many people love to meditate for their mental and physical wellbeing. No matter where you are you can meditate, but it helps to have a weekly Qi Gong class that incorporates elements of meditation, and other local residents who are experienced meditators to give you tips and encouragement!

  • Volunteer or work with a charity. Retirees often want to stay active, and volunteering is a great way to do that. Several of our residents volunteer regularly with different groups in the area, from churches to libraries to schools. It is such an encouraging and rewarding activity to engage in, as those residents will surely testify to.

And this is just the start… 

At Bondi Beach Astra, we are located in one of the most beautiful and engaging places in the world, have so many great facilities available to residents, and have an active and welcoming social community. To find out how you can share in this lifestyle, call or email us, or take a look at our FAQs.

What Residents Love About the Astra

/ Bondi Beach Astra/
Tratt meal pic cropped.png

We are often told by residents that moving to the Astra was the best decision, and that they love it here. In this article we give you some reasons why, in their own words:

“We have loved being part of the lively community at the Astra over the last 17 years and enjoy the many benefits of being part of an independent living Retirement Village. Security is important to us, as is knowing we can call for assistance any time. While we still live busy lives, we love to participate in the wonderful social events throughout the year with lots of music, dancing and feasting. Of course a great attraction for us buying here was the beach location with its magical views and access to public transport. We are looking forward to many more years here.” Rob and Penny

“One of the big pluses is ‘location, location, location’ with the tremendous pleasure to be got from being near Bondi Beach and the happy vibe of people enjoying the beautiful seashore. Also, the friendliness of the residents and staff at the Astra.” Gillian

“22 years ago, I was looking to buy a unit in Bondi Beach. I was so fortunate to find exactly what I wanted at a price I could afford. I have never regretted my decision. For someone who lived their whole life on the land, it was a total sea change.” Noni

“After living in Bondi for decades, nine years ago, increasing crowds, noise and pollution forced a decision to move. Lucky for me I found the Bondi Astra Retirement Village and literally moved round the corner. It was a short distance but a world of difference. I was able to stay in Bondi, keep my independence and enjoy secure, peaceful living with the option of support, friendship and lots of fun. Best decision ever!” Ann

“I love living at the Astra because of its wonderful location, across the road from beautiful Bondi Beach, lovely parks close by and with transport almost on our doorstep. The Astra is a close, caring, and friendly community.” Darryl 

“My father came to live in the Astra 14 years before I did, and it was because he was so happy here that I decided to move here too. Dad was so happy to be back in the area of his childhood and to be able to enjoy the beach once again. He became involved in all the activities at The Astra and even instigated some. He was very popular and I was lucky to be included in the evening socials. The Social Club helped me organise both his 80th and 90th birthday parties and we invited all residents, friends and family. So, when I moved in after his death, I already knew everyone. Like Dad had done before me, I regularly meet friends in the City for lunch, movies, ballet, concerts and theatre, and travel to family celebrations for birthdays and other celebrations. All of which is possible because of the close access to excellent public transport. When Dad gave up the surf he became a regular in the Astra pool and I use it regularly too as well as the Gym. When this lockdown is over I look forward to resuming the excellent barbecues, lunches and socials we all enjoyed prior to Covid. Also, I will start meeting family and friends once again. The Astra is a wonderful place to live, because of its excellent management, beautiful location, proximity to many shops and cafes and frequent public transport, plus very friendly and pleasant residents.” Maureen

“How lucky I am to live in an elegant, Art Deco icon, overlooking the Sands of the beach, sitting above the trendy Trattoria Restaurant, spending my Retirement years in an Amazing, vibrant environment, at the ASTRA.” Cleo

“I love the location of the Astra, fabulous view from my open-space unit, and within minutes I can be walking along Bondi Beach and swimming. Help from Paul and Anna in the office is a big bonus. They are always willing to assist, whether it’s a technology issue, maintenance problem, receiving postal deliveries etc… The Astra community is friendly and sociable and I enjoy catching up with them at village events from time to time.” Alison

“I lived in Bondi for some years before retirement, at which time I decided to relocate to the Astra, where I bought a unit. It turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life. Where else could I walk literally across the road to a wonderful iconic beach, or to a bus taking 7 minutes to get to Bondi Junction or a bit longer into the City? How many other Retirement Villages enjoy the solitude of such establishments while being slap bang in the middle of a busily energetic shopping area with a vibrant cafe/restaurant culture? The best of both worlds! Added to this, importantly, are the caring, competent management of the village who do their best to make for a convivial comfortable atmosphere. I'm very glad I live at the Astra.” Andrew

If you are interested in finding out more about living in this historic, beautiful place please contact us and we will be happy to answer any questions you have. When we are able to safely conduct tours around the village, and hold events again, we would also love to introduce you to some of our friendly residents so they can tell you in person why Bondi Beach Astra is such a great place to live.

6 Common Hesitations When Choosing a Retirement Village

/ Bondi Beach Astra/

We speak to many people about retirement living, and over the years we have noticed some trends in common hesitations to taking that final step. We also know that many people we speak to who live in a Retirement Village tell us it was the best move they ever made. So here is a list of common hesitations that regularly come up in our conversations with people considering downsizing to Bondi Beach Astra, and our reasons why we think you should still think seriously about making the move:

  • I’m not retired yet. You do not need to be fully retired to move into a village, just over 55 years old. At Bondi Beach Astra we have a number of residents who are still partially working and of those that aren’t, many volunteer on a regular basis. Still more play a vital role in actively helping with their grandkids.

  • I’m not ready yet. This may well be the case, and we would never presume to know your circumstances as well as you do. However, we do believe that it is never too early to start thinking about what you will do in the event that you need to downsize, move to be closer to family, or require more help around the home. It certainly can’t hurt to have the conversations now to prepare yourself for when you do feel ready. Retirement Villages are not aged care facilities, they are vibrant, active communities of like-minded individuals. They provide greater security and opportunities for social connection than non-retirement housing alternatives. It is worth considering Retirement Villages for many very good reasons, but please don’t count them out because of a perception that they are full of inactive and unsociable seniors. The majority of Retirement Village residents are lively and active members of the community, making the most of their retirement years.

  • I want two or three bedrooms. If this is what you need, then of course many of our one and two bedroom apartments won’t be suitable. However, most of our residents have friends and family who they meet up with regularly, and many will have people to stay in their apartments. Our apartments are a variety of sizes and shapes, to fit different needs for different people. Before you reject the idea of a one bedroom property outright, consider whether it is actually necessary to have the extra bedroom. For example, will the hassle of cleaning a room you don’t use to its potential for much of the year be more or less than the hassle of having a flexible living space that could accommodate visitors? Remember that downsizing has its advantages – smaller apartments are easier to clean and upkeep, having fewer things could make you feel less stressed and more able to focus on the important things in life, and of course downsizing usually comes with a lower price tag.

  • It’s too expensive. Again, we can’t speak to each individual’s circumstances, but generally Retirement Villages are cheaper than non-retirement living options. Equivalent Bondi Beach non-retirement properties are on average 42% more expensive. To reduce costs by more than 3% further, if you buy a long-term lease (which most Retirement Villages offer) rather than a strata title, you won’t have to pay stamp duty on your purchase. Moreover, the Deferred Management Fee is set up to ensure that you have more capital upfront on purchase, then pay a percentage on re-sale to cover ongoing costs associated with the time that you have lived in a village. For many people this is a model that is well-suited to them at this stage of their lives.

  • Bondi Beach is too busy, and the crowds are too young. It is true that Bondi Beach is one of Australia’s most visited areas. However, many of our residents love the vibrant culture and opportunities that come with living in a small community that has international renown. They don’t want to live in a sleepy quiet town where nothing ever happens! Bondi, for them, has just the right blend of amenities, environment, activity and community, and they like to be around people of all ages. This may not be for everyone, but if you are considering this area you should definitely come for a visit and see for yourself what they love about Bondi Beach.

  • Where are the men? This is a question that gets posed a lot on Facebook, and sometimes in person too. Well, just under 30% of Bondi Beach Astra’s residents are men. We do have men who are active in the community and also on the Executive Committee, but on average more of women attend social events than men which accounts for the difference in photos on our blog and social media pages. We encourage residents to bring friends and relatives with them to events when they can, and anyone is welcome to visit the village. Retirement communities in general tend to have more women than men, and we are no exception, but actually living here you might find that there are more men around than you had previously thought!

We always love to chat with people about their options, so please do contact us for more information. We are on the phone, email, and online. We look forward to hearing from you.

What is a Retirement Village?

/ Bondi Beach Astra/

Many people think that Retirement Villages and Aged Care are the same thing. I work in a Retirement Village and still my friends and family ask me on a regular basis “how are things going in the care home?”

But there are some key differences. You must be able to live independently to live in a Retirement Village. That doesn’t mean you can’t be reliant on people for help or care, but it does mean that generally you need to be able to look after yourself and move around independently.

Essentially, a Retirement Village is a community of homes and facilities designed for over 55 year olds. There is not even a requirement that you must be fully retired to move into a village. Anyone who is over 55 and able to live independently can live in a Retirement Village.

There are a number of benefits to moving into a Retirement Village. Most villages offer shared facilities – Bondi Beach Astra has many facilities for residents to use including a gym, indoor pool, common lounge and kitchen, courtyard with BBQ, and communal computers. Many villages also often offer added security, a community environment, and customisable services. At Bondi Beach Astra we have a daytime concierge (Village Manager) to help with any resident issues, a 24/7 emergency medical alarm system for any help outside of office hours, and we run regular community events and activities.

It has been shown in numerous studies that being social and connected is good for your health and happiness and may even help people to live longer.

Downsizing into a Retirement Village may benefit both financially and physically. Having a smaller space to keep clean and tidy is an upside for many people choosing to downsize at this point in life and may be generally more convenient. A smaller living space often means lower utility costs, and with more disposable income from having sold your larger house, you may be able to better plan for the future.

We would love to talk to you further about any questions you may have, to help you decide whether living in a Retirement Village is right for you. Please give us a call on 02 9365 3344, email us at sales@bondiastra.com.au or have a look at our FAQs. 


The Senior Article: Retirement Communities are a Healthy Choice

/ Bondi Beach Astra/

According to an article in The Senior, “Research conducted by consulting company Grant Thornton in 2014, shows that [retirement] village residents visit their GP less often and spend fewer days in hospital than their peers in the general community. They also enter aged care five years later on average.”

If that wasn’t enough to encourage you to think about a move to a retirement village, “The DCM Longitudinal National Resident Survey conducted in 2020 found that 43% of residents experienced improved mental, physical and financial wellbeing since moving into a village or resort. Additionally, 50% experienced improved happiness and life satisfaction three years after moving in, 83% felt safer in a village, and 90% would not move back to their previous home even if home care were provided.” You can read the full article here.

Wow! That’s a pretty strong case for retirement village living. We always say that the best people to talk to when thinking about moving into a village are the residents. They know what it’s actually like to live in a place, what the social environment is like, and how easy it is to do all the things that they want to.

We would love to show you around and introduce you to some of our friendly residents when lockdown has ended and restrictions have been eased. Please contact us to book a tour now.

Why Sam Loves Being a Village Operator

/ Bondi Beach Astra/

Sam’s family company runs the Bondi Beach Astra Retirement Village. Here, in his words, are the best bits about running a retirement village:

"Running a retirement village is not something that I envisaged doing when I was at school or university. It just kind of landed in my lap but it’s a good fit because I’m all about enjoying life and having fun with friends. And that’s simply what a retirement village is all about. It’s kind of like a university college for over 55s. Plenty of parties, socialising, chatting, smiling and laughing.

No work, all play!!

Since I’ve been managing the village, my main goal has been to support the residents wherever possible because I had elderly parents and I could see firsthand that things we take for granted, for them get harder or take longer or sometimes just change, which can be confusing. Once this aspect is covered, I’ve enjoyed building up the social side of the village to build a bond between the residents themselves, then widened it to include us (the village operator), the Owners' Corporation and the building itself which we all are immensely proud of. We have managed to connect also with the Bondi Beach community and now I’m trying to reach further. Who knows where this will stop!

I worked out pretty early that the emotional and social connections that are forged in the village are so important for a successful retirement. And let's face it, there’s no second chance at retirement. Once it’s over, you can’t have another go at it, so you have to get it right.

Most people readily acknowledge that as we age, our bodies break down if we don’t use them, but because it’s not as visible people forget that so do our minds. And there’s no point living without a sound mind… The village comradery forms an important basis for both good mental health and good physical health. So much better than living alone in the family house (struggling to maintain it) or an impersonal strata unit block (with strangers for neighbours that you never see).

The health benefits from the laughs and cheers around a ping pong table can’t be underestimated and it’s obvious why so many residents say to me “This move was the best move I made. I wish I’d done it sooner. I am so happy”. I admit I am biased but I have to agree with them: It probably is the best move they made!!!

Actually, that is probably the best part of my job; hearing that…"

The Good Ship Bondi Astra, A Poem

/ Bondi Beach Astra/

This wonderful poem was written by one of our residents in response to this trying time. Ann, thank you!

On the good ship Bondi Astra, newly exiled in self isolation diaspora

Confined to our quarters putting hygiene drills through their paces,

Washing our hands, keeping fingers from faces.

Distracting ourselves with gadgets, hobbies and telies,

With frequent trips to the fridge to quieten noisy bellies

On rare trips from the cabin, preserve your resistance,

Just stick to the rules, and PLEASE KEEP YOUR DISTANCE.

Roaming the decks, Captain Aaron is keeping us safe,

Swabbing down surfaces three times a day, keeping that

Scourge of the high seas, Corona, at bay.

He is Captain Courageous, Hip Hip Hooray!

Meanwhile First Mate Anna is still flying the banner,

Working from home in offshore detention, doing her bit

For infection prevention.

Sending cheer and back-up office support from her at home fort.

Missing you curly girlie!

Three cheers for Sam for providing safe harbor,

And not to mention a generous food and fun provider,

Happy memories galore until we reach a future safe shore.

Stay well Astra residents and maintain good spirits,

Keep that pirate virus on the run, with one aim in mind, a speedy

Return to Astra fun. Isolate, Meditate, jump up and down - and SANITISE, SANITISE, SANITISE!

Written by Ann Kane

2020 Bondi Beach Astra Retirement Village Launch

/ Bondi Beach Astra Lounge/

We got up bright and early on Saturday 1st February to greet the new month and the year 2020 with a re-cap of 2019 at the Astra and a look forward to the year to come. Sam, Aaron and Anna each gave a short presentation on a relevant topic - the legislative changes for Retirement Villages that have come into effect, the social events we took part in last year and what we have to look forward to this year, the changes we have been seeing around the Astra, and what we can aspire to for the future. And finally, we unveiled our new village logo, which we are excited to start using this year. It was a great event and lots of residents came to hear what we had to say. Some brought friends and relatives, and it was an excellent opportunity for us to get together and chat about this beautiful building and the community that we call home. After the presentations we had a Q&A time, and then a lovely morning tea with fresh fruit, nuts, homemade cakes and plenty of drinks. Cheers! Here’s to a fabulous 2020!

Annual Management Meeting

/ Bondi Beach Astra Lounge/

BBARV's Annual Management Meeting went off without a hitch, and it was a great opportunity for residents to get together and put questions to Sam, Aaron and Anna. Aaron began the meeting with a breakdown of the financials for the year, and then we discussed possible projects in the pipeline for the future. Penny and Sam explained a bit about the differences between Strata and the Retirement Village, as ours is a complicated situation. We ended with a lovely morning tea of cakes and fruit, and plenty of people stayed around to chat afterwards. Thanks to everyone who came.

Retirement Village Ambassador Visit

/ Bondi Beach Astra Lounge/

We were very honoured to welcome Retirement Village Ambassador, Kathryn Greiner, to the Astra in October. She spoke to us in depth about the Retirement Village Inquiry that she had headed, and what outcomes and new legislation had come from her recommendations. Ms Greiner is an extremely eloquent speaker, and she obviously had a great deal of experience and knowledge to share with us. It was a pleasure to hear her views on the current shape of the industry, and to have her available for a detailed Q&A session after her presentation. Following on from the Q&A session, those of us who were able to stayed for a cuppa and a biscuit and a chat.

Thanks to everyone from the Astra who came to show their support for this event, and in particular to Cleo who was instrumental in helping to bring it about.

One Day in the Life of a Village Manager

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8:30am: Aaron arrives at the Astra bright and early to start his day at the Bondi Beach Astra. He opens up the office, switches the lights on above the lift and the seahorse statue, and opens the downstairs windows and doors to let the sea breeze flow through the ground floor. 

9am: The office officially opens and Aaron, having gone through the important emails for the day, greets residents as they go out for their morning walk/swim. One resident comes down to ask Aaron for help with sending some pictures to a friend from her phone, another needs some printing done.

9:30am: There is a momentary lull, so Aaron takes advantage of this to conduct his first walk round of the week. Checking that everything is ok in the building after the weekend is all in a Monday's work - making sure the lights are all working, toilet rolls are in plentiful supply and there isn't too much mess anywhere. As this is the start of another month, 'The Senior' newspapers have arrived, and Aaron leaves a pile on each floor for residents to flick through. 

10am: Back to the office and time to reply to the rest of the emails that have been piling up over the weekend. 

11am: Some prospective residents arrive for a showround of the building. Aaron takes them through the available units and into the common areas, answering questions along the way. Towards the end, he shows them artist's impressions of the renovations that we are hoping to start this year in the communal spaces. We are all excited for a new and refreshed Astra... While this is happening, a call comes through that the NBN engineers are here to do some work on connecting up the Astra to the new network. Aaron takes them to where they need to be.

12pm: A number of new notices need to be put up for the week, advertising bingo and a movie night. Once designed and printed, Aaron goes round each of the three notice boards and adds them to the mix. Any out-of-date notices are removed.

12:30pm: It is a constant battle in the office to keep plants alive! The ones in the foyer area do not get as much light or air as they should, but Aaron continues to water them dutifully. The plants in the courtyard area fair better, and also need to be given a drink after the weekend. After the plants have had some food, Aaron can take some time to have his own lunch before the afternoon tasks get into full swing.

1pm: Aaron has collated forms for the residents for the week ordering meals from next door Trattoria. By 1pm he needs to take this information round to the Tratt so that they can be prepared.

1:15pm: The building Maintenance Manager, Nick, comes by to fit window locks in the building that are required by new regulations. He needs access to some of the units and Aaron has to liaise with the residents to make sure they are able to let him in. 

2pm: Aaron checks the mail. Throughout the day he has had a number of parcels delivered by couriers for various residents, but now he is checking the main Australia Post delivery. Some residents are away at the moment, so he checks the notice on the office whiteboard so he knows whose mail to pick up. Some residents like their mail to be put out for them before they get back, others will pick it up when they are next in the office.

2:15pm: A resident comes down to ask if Aaron can change a light globe in their unit. He goes up to do so, and has a chat with a few different people on the way. Throughout the day people are coming and going through the Astra; residents, friends, family, postal workers, healthcare professionals and more...

2:30pm: More emails have come through, some with news about the Retirement Village industry. Aaron likes to keep up-to-date with what is going on in the aged care sector, and especially in the local area. It is always good to know about changes to the industry, and to have awareness of the competition!

3:30pm: A new resident is moving in today and she comes by to collect keys and ask questions about the village. Aaron gives her a tour of the major areas of note; the lounge room, pool and gym area, garbage rooms, courtyard and so on. It's always lovely to welcome to new people to the Astra, and we love to show off our wonderful, friendly Village.

4pm: The cleaner arrives and Aaron has to ask him to make sure he has cleaned certain areas that have got dirty over the weekend. The residents like to keep us informed about the state of the building, and it is helpful for us to have the perspective of someone who is living here all the time.

4:15pm: As it is the start of the month, the monthly newsletter is due. The comparative quiet of the final 45mins gives Aaron enough time to start writing some articles and compiling photos for this edition. It will get printed, folded and put into everyone's letterboxes tomorrow, so anyone who wants to can follow what's going on at the Astra in the coming month.

5pm: It's home time! When things have been happening constantly throughout the day, 5 o'clock can come around pretty quickly. Closing the office up is as simple as turning out the lights, closing the windows and locking the doors...that is, if you don't get a last-minute straggler come down to ask you something right on 5! It's all part of the service though and Aaron, being the consummate professional that he is, is happy to help whenever he's needed. Roll on tomorrow...!

Eastern Suburbs and Southern Sydney Retirement Villages Expo

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Another fantastic Retirement Villages Expo was held this weekend at the Novotel in Brighton-le-sands, this time specifically for Eastern Suburbs and Southern Sydney villages. It was a great event in a lovely location, and many people came throughout the day to ask questions and express interest. Aaron did an excellent job chatting and helping with queries, and said afterwards that it had been a really good day. This time we had more posters with pictures of the Astra common areas, as well as artist's impressions of what the refurbished areas might look like in the next couple of years. It's going to be a really exciting time for us in the near future, and it was great to be able to share this vision with prospective residents. 

The La Perouse room of the Novotel at Brighton-le-sands was a fitting venue for the event, and lots of people came to visit. I'm sure the good weather encouraged the crowds to head to the beach for a walk or a swim, and what better way to start (or indeed finish) the day than to have a wander round the expo?! Thanks to everyone who organised the event, and to all those who came by to have a chat. We really loved seeing you, and are looking forward to showing you around the Astra soon...

Sydney Retirement Villages Expo Report

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The Astra had its first Retirement Villages Expo experience this weekend at the Epping Club! By all accounts it was a great event that allowed us to show off our wonderful village and answer the questions that people from all over Sydney had come to ask. Although the rain on Sunday might have put some people off, it was still a busy and productive couple of days. In the quieter periods, Aaron was able to fit in some competitor research and to look at the different marketing ideas that other villages had come with. Next time, we will be able to do even bigger and better things with our stall! 

If you weren't able to make it to Epping this time, why not come to the Novotel at Brighton-le-sands on 19th November and see us at the Eastern Suburbs and Southern Sydney Expo. We will have plenty of info, lollies and pics and we'd love to see you there.

Sydney Retirement Village Expo, 22nd and 23rd October

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The Astra will be exhibiting at the Sydney Retirement Village Expo on 22nd and 23rd October. This free event is taking place at the Epping Club, and will be a really great chance for you gather information on retirement villages all over the city. Please come along to check out our stand and have a chat with us. We'd love to talk to you about living at the Astra and answer any questions you may have.

Whether you or someone you love is exploring the idea of over 55's Resort Living, or looking for a retirement village that offers independent living, assisted or specialist care, this expo can help you. The Epping Club has its own multi-level car park for members and guests. There is an additional large car park a few doors down next to Coles supermarket. For further information, contact the expo team on mail@dorsal.com.au 

If you can't make it to Epping, we will also be exhibiting at the Eastern Suburbs and Southern Sydney Retirement Village Expo at the Novotel in Brighton-le-sands on 19th November. And don't forget to watch this space for more accounts and photos of Astra events and activities coming up in the next couple of months...

Open Day Report

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Wow, what a morning! This was such a lovely, relaxed event for visitors and residents alike. People came from all over to look round and to enjoy a beautiful Devonshire tea. Some of the current residents were surprised but happy to meet people they knew from the local area and to catch up with former acquaintances. There was much laughter and chatting as Aaron took to the stage to give his presentation on living at the Astra. After he had spoken, there was time for a good Q&A session, with lots of thoughtful questions asked. Penny and some of the other residents helped Sam and Aaron to provide detailed answers and to give that all-important inside perspective.

Once everyone had filled up on Devonshire tea and all questions had been dealt with, it was time for the tours. One group went up, one group went down, and everyone was able to see all that they wanted to. We had some really positive feedback from people, whether they were thinking of buying or just wanting to take a look for the future. They marveled over the beautiful building and fabulous location. All in all, I think it’s fair to say that it was a highly successful day. Perhaps the weather could have been a little bit nicer, to show off our beautiful beach to its best effect; despite the grey, however, I heard one guest saying “isn’t it a fantastic Bondi day today?” It just goes to show that even the clouds don’t dampen the spectacular effect of our home at Bondi Beach.

Astra Open Day

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The astra open day 30th september 2017

Come on down to the Astra's open day on Saturday 30th September from 10am! There will be a complimentary Devonshire morning tea, as well as plenty of information, village tours and an opportunity to meet some of our existing residents. Here's an opportunity to find out more about why people love to live at the Astra, across the road from one of Australia's most famous beaches. Don't miss out - book now on (02) 9365 3344.