The Beast - December 2025

2025 BEAST

December

Merry Everything!

Words James Hutton - Publisher

Welcome to the December 2025 edition of The Beast, the monthly magazine for Sydney’s dynamic beaches of the east, where life flies by with increasing velocity as each year becomes a smaller fraction of our lives and our neurons fire at a slowing rate, we experience fewer new events and our dopamine levels drop.

Local artist Ryan Nicho is the talent behind this month’s cover illustration of ‘Santa Jaws’ the friendly shark, who’s just polished off Saint Nick. You can see more of Ryan’s art on his Instagram, @fairbumpisland, and his website, www.fairbump.com. There’s some cool gear on the website, so please give it a click and get behind original local art.

The Lokahi Foundation will be hosting ‘Red Flag Day’ on Friday, November 28 from 6.3010.30am at Bondi Beach (on the

sand in front of the Pavilion). The group will be taking over Bondi with a sea of red flags to symbolise the red flags of domestic abuse. One flag will be taken away for every donation received, releasing the beach from virtual abuse. Lokahi is based in the Eastern Suburbs and provides ongoing caseworker support and assistance to women and families who need to leave their abusive family situations. It is the only service of its kind that operates across the three LGAs in our area. For more information, please visit lokahi.org.au.

Clovelly’s biggest Christmas Street Party turns ten on Sunday, December 7, and everyone’ s invited to come along from 4pm at St Luke’s Clovelly. There will be live music and free kids activities including a giant obstacle course, petting zoo, face painting, jumping castle and more. Carols will kick off at 5.45pm and a barbecue dinner, popcorn, slushees and desserts will also be

available. For more information, please visit clovelly.org.au.

Siren Delite Productions will be holding its third and final show for the year, A Velvet Rendezvous - A Burlesque & Variety Evening of Decadence & Divine Tease, on December 13 at Coogee Diggers Club. Co-producer and Coogee resident Turquoise Delite will be performing in the show. You can grab your tickets at www.trybooking.com/DHAZN. Cheers, James

The Beast

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Editor james@thebeast.com.au

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FREE EVENT

Sunday 21 December

6.30 – 8.30 pm

Goldstein Reserve

Hosted by Amanda Keller and Alex Lee

 Arrive early and enjoy Christmas movies on the big screen from 1pm.

 Bring a picnic blanket!

 BYO food or get takeaway from local restaurants.

 Keep an eye out for Santa!

Coogee Carols is an alcohol-free event.

Randwick Council is proud to support these community Christmas events

CLOVELLY CHRISTMAS STREET PARTY

Sunday 7 December 4 pm Festival 6 pm Carols

St Luke’s Anglican Church, Clovelly

SOUTH MAROUBRA CHRISTMAS PARTY

Saturday 6 December

2 – 5 pm

South Maroubra Village Green

MATRAVILLE CAROLS

Saturday 13 December

4 pm Amusement rides

6 – 8.30 pm Carols

Barwon Park, Matraville

randwick.nsw.gov.au/ christmas

Remembering Bondi's House Parties of Yesteryear

Words Pearl Bullivant Photo Bree Bong

Fond Memories

Dearest Pearl - Whatever happened to house parties in our area? I’m in my 50s and have lived in Bondi since the early ’90s, and I fondly remember attending multiple house parties around Bondi every weekend during the warmer months. As long as you had some sort of vague connection to the host it was pretty much open invite. These days the place seems to be asleep. Is it because everyone that lives here now are just boring old rich people and fitness influencers who don’t drink? My friend’s son had a 21st in one of those old apartment blocks on Gould Street a while back and the police rocked up about five times before 9.30pm asking them to be quiet before eventually shutting it down at 10pm. There were a few Rose Bay Secondary College alumni

in attendance, so the neighbours probably assumed their street-parked Maserati was at risk of vandalism, but I pity the young people who live in Bondi these days. Honestly, it’s boring as bat shit now - I reckon our generation had the best of it.

Chelsea Bondi

Perspective is Everything

Dear Chelsea - Pearl is surprised that anyone complains about 21st birthday parties nowadays. The cost-of-living crisis, the ‘sober curious’ trend and a multicultural demographic (for whom life is about more than just getting absolutely maggot) means that 21st birthday soirees are no longer the raucous booze fests of old. So, it’s disappointing to hear that your friend had to endure such ridiculous harassment from a party pooper

neighbour during her son’s rite of passage.

Planning and holding a 21st party is quite stressful for parents, particularly in the confines of a typical Bondi apartment where space is limited, parking is a nightmare and lugging slabs up multiple flights of stairs is fraught with danger. The last thing a parent needs is the embarrassment of the constabulary turning up at the front door multiple times during what should be a joyous evening. The only plausible reason for a cop to turn up to a noisy 21st before 9.30pm is to do a welfare check on an elderly relative sozzled on prosecco singing ABBA’s Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! into the karaoke mic.

Alas, apartment living is an endless balancing act between competing self-interests and conflicting rights and obligations. From Pearl’s vast experience of living in home units, I’ve gleaned that affluent Australians are just not resilient enough to cope with the realities of communal living. A 21st birthday party is the least of one’s worries. There are shoddy builds and body corporate conflict, yapping dogs and fitness influencers clanking weights at 3am on parquetry floors, and one may find themselves living next door to a drug dealer (or multiple drug dealers in Pearl’s case) or beneath a ‘cougar’ whose bedtime romps are noisy marathons broken only by the sound of the shower.

As to the police, I am sure they have more important issues to deal with than a 21st, like arresting socialite drug dealing kleptomaniacs or pyjama-clad yummy mummies driving under the influence with two kids in the backseat. Perspective is everything - the ’90s were certainly a great time to be alive! Pearl Clovelly

Scenes like these have all but vanished from Australia's formerly funnest suburb for young people.

The Beast's Monthly Mailbag

Words The Engaged People of the Eastern Beaches

Aesthetics

I have just moved to North Bondi. It’s a very special place, however I’m shocked with the amount of street litter and dumped rubbish. I now take a garbage bag every time I go for a walk but get so discouraged when there’s more rubbish the very next day. Does the council issue fines for dumped rubbish? It seems when a resident has a spring clean or is moving out they just dump everything on the sidewalk, including mattresses, without booking a council pick-up. It looks terrible!

JT

North Bondi

Blatant Sexism in One of Bondi's Oldest Sporting Clubs

“Bondi United, United we stand against sexism.” Recently, the club gathered at Woollahra Golf Course to celebrate its “amazing” teams - from swimming to rugby and even, God forbid… netball.

“United we stand,” as the club president loves to say. Quite the culty experience, really.

Picture this: a cocktail-style presentation night. For our team, it felt like being surrounded by a wall of testosterone in suits, beer bellies and voices at a jarring volume. One after another, these middle-aged men took to the mic to preach about “unity” and celebrate how far their rugby teams had come - despite not actually winning anything. Please insert the sound of silent but deadly misogyny.

Meanwhile, we - the only premiers of the season, the only women’s team present in the entire club - sat patiently front

and dead centre (quite hard to miss, might I add), waiting for some recognition. A name drop. A simple “well done, ladies.” But… nothing. Completely ignored. The so-called “unity” conveniently didn’t extend to the netballers.

Thankfully, our legendary coach wasn’t having it. She stood up, dropped some bombs on the president on the spot, and stood by the qualities that the club preaches about. I don’t think I have ever experienced an atmosphere quite like this. There was a perfect, uncomfortable blend of booing, laughing and eyes whipping around to the wonderful president.

So, Bondi United - if “united we stand” only applies to the boys, maybe it’s time to rethink the slogan.

Sam Bondi

Affordable Housing Sham

Hi James - A development application has been lodged with Waverley Council (DA 477) by an Eastern Suburbs developer that, if approved, has the potential to destroy the entire south side of Campbell Parade under the guise of the State Government’s affordable housing policy.

The current development proposes one shop, one affordable apartment and two double-storey penthouses that will sell for up to $30 million each - affordable housing for billionaires, Bondi style.

The DA doesn’t comply with any of the affordable housing controls yet the developer is trying to ram it through Council and get his extra 30 per cent uplift in height and density.

The development will have a catastrophic effect on Bondi’s oldest retirement village, the Astra. The entire south side of the Astra, which has 21 apartments, will be wrapped in a 20-metre concrete wall. The residents will lose all their natural light and breezes.

Many of these residents are elderly and frail or immobile and sit by their windows all day just looking out at the sea or district views. They will now have to look at this 20-metre wall just over two metres from their apartment windows. The views of at least 30 apartments behind it will also be severely impacted and the iconic view corridors that have existed for over a hundred years will be gone.

If this DA is approved every developer in town will be putting a DA in to do the same, the whole way along Campbell Parade, destroying what’s left of its heritage buildings and local conservation area. The State Government needs to act now to stop this complete misuse of the affordable housing policy so that Bondi doesn’t end up with a sea of highrise penthouses for billionaires and one affordable apartment in the basement. What a sham!

Jacki Bondi Beach

Save the Astra

Residents of South Bondi, watch out - they’re coming to get you! The proposed development of 32 Campbell Parade - the old Mojo’s restaurant - is the thin edge of the wedge. If Waverley Council grants this horrendous six-storey bunker, the others along this heritage strip of Campbell Parade will fall like dominoes, including the old Noah’s site.

It is a total disregard of the heritage architecture and history of this beloved part of Bondi, and it is a total disregard of the well-being and health of the elderly residents of the Astra Retirement Village next door at 34 Campbell Parade, a heritage listed building.

Many of the Astra residents have lived for 20 years or more in peaceful harmony with the Bondi

sunlight and brilliant blue skiesnow they are going to stare out at a windowless concrete wall 25 metres long and six storeys high. Their windows to the outside world will be gone. They will have nowhere else to go. Everyone in Bondi should tell their councillors to vote against this life-threatening proposal.

Len Horne Astra Resident

Proposed Walling-in of Local Elderly Residents

Waverley Council has received a development application that is extremely distressing to say the least. The application is “substantial demolition at the rear, and construction of a six-storey shop-top housing development, including affordable housing” at 32 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach. I live at 34 Campbell Parade (next door) in the Astra Retirement Village. The entire south side of our heritage building will be wrapped in a 19.5-metre wall that is just over two metres from my windows. This applies to 20 residents with apartments on the south side of the building - I am one of these.

This development would have devastating impact, eliminating light, views and solar access. This will have a shocking effect on the mental health of we ‘walled in’ elderly residents.

Frances Bondi Beach

DA Disaster

Dear James - I live in The Astra Retirement Village at 34 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach. I am extremely upset about the current development application DA477/2025 for 32 Campbell Parade, the site of the old Mojo’s building. This new building will be a grey concrete bunker with six levels, with one groundfloor unit available for affordable housing. The proposed development will have a severe impact on the Astra Retirement Village as the southern wall of the proposed building will be only two metres from my windows and it will rise to 20 metres,

removing all natural light and air flow. This will cause significant amenity loss for many of our elderly residents. The DA should be refused on these grounds.

Darryl Bondi Beach

The Great Bondi Space Hunt

Dear Beast - Lately, living in our community has started to feel a bit like a treasure hunt whenever we need a public space. If you’ve tried to use a sports facility or find a quiet corner in the library, you’ll know it’s become a real challenge. As Bondi keeps growing, we’re all starting to feel the squeeze.

That’s why turning the old Council Chambers site into a new community hub isn’t just a nice idea, it’s something we genuinely need. Local families and residents deserve room to gather, play sport and study without having to compete for space. As more development comes in, it’s crucial that Council keeps up with our community’s needs.

The sporting and recreational facility option in Waverley Council’s Have Your Say consultation is the only one that delivers on that.

Concerned Resident

Bondi Beach

Illegally Blocked Driveways

Dear Editor - It’s about time Waverley Council tackled one of Bondi’s biggest frustrationscars illegally blocking driveways. For years, residents have had no recourse, stuck waiting while their access was blocked, totally powerless to act.

The new Liberal-led council’s decision to finally allow the removal of offending vehicles is common-sense policy that puts residents first.

The real question is, why has it taken Council this long to make such an obvious change? Still, credit where it’s due, this reform is a win for Bondi locals and a sign of what practical leadership can deliver.

A Load of Trundoglash

Come on J, are you serious (Make The Unreliable Guide Great Again, Monthly Mailbag, The Beast, November 2025), or is this just another one of your “fellating and rim jobbing DJT in a desperate attempt at attention” entries? You probably think Portland is a war zone. Gullible fool.

Noah

Bondi Junction

Staircase Disgrace

I moved to Bronte ten years ago and immediately fell in love with the community, especially all of the laneways, footpaths and unassuming nature walks surrounding Bronte Beach and the park.

One of the most convenient (and delightful) of these paths is the staircase that connects Tipper Avenue to Pacific Avenue and on to the beach itself. This staircase provides a convenient thoroughfare for locals and also reduces automobile congestion and parking frustration nearer to Bronte Park.

I’ve been incredibly disappointed with the degeneration of this staircase over recent years. When the staircase was repaired in 2020 after significant storm damage, Waverley Council refused advice from engineers to update the

Local Dad Bondi

No view for you!

An artist's impression of the immense scale of the proposal.

drainage system and infill with concrete beneath the staircase.

Fast forward five years and the staircase is in a dangerous state of disrepair. There is clear erosion on both sides of the pathway, creating one-metre-high pits just begging to injure local children, seniors or even just the typical Gen Z beachgoer paying too much attention to TikTok.

Despite numerous complaints to Waverley Council, nothing has been done to repair the staircase. This is obstructionist at worst and dangerously negligent at best.

Waverley Council, please do the right thing - fix the Tipper Avenue staircase before the erosion becomes irreversible or someone is seriously hurt.

Dan Bronte

Bring it On!

Finally Bondi Junction is going to get some love! Having arrived to live here from the UK several years back, I’ve always been amazed at how drab this place is, even though it’s surrounded on all sides by the most beautiful city in the world.

How good would it be sitting in a rooftop bar drinking it all in at sunset? And don’t even get me started on the bus interchange! How is it that more pedestrians aren’t knocked over there? And where are the nightclubs and live music venues?!

This area is chock full of people who love a good time. Finally it sounds like Waverley Council is coming up with a plan to turn things around in Bondi Junction. Bring it on!

Charlie Haslam Waverley

Improvements to Bondi Junction

Hi there - I go to Bondi Junction nearly every day to run errands, pick up groceries and go to the gym. It’s such a bustling place, with so many people passing through, and yet it really lacks soul.

There have been some improvements lately with trees in Spring

Street and some fairy lights in the mall, but it really needs so much more. Parramatta has done a lot of work in recent years on civic space improvements and is now a great place to visit - just imagine what could be achieved in an area with all of Bondi Junction’s potential!

I’ve read about what Waverley Council has planned for Bondi Junction and I think it’s greatthey even talk about the sound of water play and children’s laughter drifting through the precinct! More green spaces, laneway activation and more fun nightlife are all exactly what is needed. With so many residents and visitors, and located in the heart of such a vibrant city, Bondi Junction could be so much more. Bravo to the council for coming up with a plan!

Harriet Queens Park

Please Add Sudoku

Dear James - We love The Beast! The quiz and crossword are good, but we would love to see the addition of a sudoku puzzle to The Beast, preferably good quality hard ones... with answers in the same issue please.

Melissa Tamarama

Motorcycles in Queens Park and Centennial Park

Hello - I’ve been really disturbed to see the increase in teenagers riding motorcycles (petrol and electric powered) in Queens Park and Centennial Park. This is happening on a daily basis now, and is worse while the school holidays are on.

These bikes appear to be unregistered (because they have no number plates) and are therefore uninsured. And the riders appear to be too young to be licensed.

I have taken this up many times with Waverley Police, but there has been absolutely zero action taken by either police or the Centennial Park rangers to do anything about it. It happened again today: I called Waverley Police but no one answered my call. I have emailed Dr Marjorie O’Neill, the

Member for Coogee, and Centennial Park itself.

This behaviour is illegal, offensive and creates a real threat to other park users and animals. If you could lend your weight to highlighting this issue, that would be helpful. Thank you.

Peter Randwick

TV Ads Repetition Kills It

Hello Beastie - I’m not sure if the subject of your letters can only be about local Council matters involving parking problems, cleanups, garbage collection, etc., but I hope you will still consider my following comments.

Am I the only Eastern Suburbite who finds the current crop of TV ads dull, boring and repetitive? How many times do we have to see Sue sitting on a blue monster looking more like an overstuffed Sesame Street muppet (Bluey, not Sue). Why would those visuals (because the verbals are no Shakespearean prose) prompt us to rush out and “get one of them”, being some superannuation ad (though not so ‘super’ in that sense).

When is the father at the servo going to surprise us by not leaving the chocolate for his bored daughter? Similarly, what has a Cadbury’s Fruit & Nut chocolate got to do with a rather depressed father not caring how he went in a job interview? Dreary and illogical.

Then there’s that morose teenage girl bored to death on a Virgin plane, uninspired about a family holiday until some fantasy, hallucination, day dream or wish fulfilment transforms the luggage handlers on the tarmac, who suddenly burst into some dance that mildly amuses said passenger, though there’s no indication of occupational concern for these workers. I don’t know who that ad was aimed at - not me, clearly, as I was as bored as the teenager, and certainly would not be inspired to fly with Virgin after seeing that.

But that smug woman in the Levande advertisement seems to have seen that ad, as she looks just as bored as the teenage girl,

especially when it is revealed that Levande is a retirement home (I think), though sexed up somewhat with the well-endowed hunky gardener who needs to get looser shorts so his circulation doesn’t do some damage. I wonder what the reaction would be if it was two old men at the nursing home and the gardener was a very buxom young lady with a low cleavagedo you think there might be some criticism?

Some ads attempt to be funny or clever and sometimes make variations on a basic ad, such as the McCain’s ‘special’ and the current Youi ad, which has more than one variation, though the ‘celebrity’ from Have You Been Paying Attention? is also too smug for my taste.

Now, I know that the above comments are personal to me, and there may be readers who will totally disagree, but when companies spend heaps to entice sales, why can’t they be more inventive, or at least avoid boring us senseless to the point of totally ignoring or even ridiculing them. I do both, especially if I can’t get to my remote to turn them off.

If the aim of ads is to sell, most of them are failing badly due to lack of engagement and imagination. None of the above has made me want to go out and buy whatever it is they are supposed to be promoting.

Budget Direct is one that makes a creative effort, harking back to the turmoil caused by the runaway dog with the Star Wars laser (with a big budget), and there are others I can’t recall. Maybe that’s the magic effect of variation, not repetition. When I see that dog ad again after it’s been rested for a while it’s actually a pleasant recollection, even though it doesn’t make me want to rush out and buy Budget.

Please, to companies wanting to sell: hire some firms with imagination, and then don’t just run them to death, day in and out, because I wonder how you hit target sales when so many ads are so boring, and the more you play them (apart

from costing you a motza in fees), the more people just switch off.

Having said that, with current content being as bad as it is, these ad breaks are a good time for toilet breaks! And a note to advertising agencies: watch Gruen on ABCso much good analysis.

Norman Bondi Junction

Green Flags Catching Up With the Rest of the World

Let the rest of the world catch up with us! Our red and yellow flags are just fine. Tourists will be tourists - just go down to Mahon Pool, North Maroubra, on any given day and watch the tourists stand on the rocks at the ocean’s edge taking photos. Freak waves and drenched tourists! Sometimes they even get washed in. No colour change is ever going to save them.

Frank A Local Lad

Halloween

Dear Beast - I love Halloween, all the ghosts and ghouls come out to scare us. My favourite mischief maker is on the corner of Flood Street and Old South Head Road. For years this bus stop banshee has been luring innocent passersby with its shelter and comfortable seating. There they sit, patiently waiting, for the ‘bus that never comes’!

The masterminds at Transport for NSW have gone to incredible lengths to confuse and confoundit looks like a bus stop, it feels like a bus stop, but no, it is not a bus stop. They moved the bus stop 50 yards away up the hill and nobody knows why.

And so the dastardly deceit continues, and there the trickster sits, waiting, luring, pretending for five whole years to be a bus stop.

Russell Rodger Bondi

Extend Retail Trading Hours on Clovelly Road

Clovelly Road has long been a popular retail spine for Clovelly and surrounds. It’s great to see new pilates studios, gyms and

yoga studios open up to support the community and surrounding retail - however Council restricts hours from 6am (and have come down on gym owners recently following only one or two resident complaints from the units upstairs).

With busy active lives, most people are up well before 6am and need to get into the city before 8am - could Council please consider reviewing trading hours to support this (particularly given they are located in designated retail zones)? Not to mention small business owners who are suffering due to restricted hours/classes.

Gym Goer Clovelly

New Bus Shelter

Hello Beast - I wonder who is responsible for the new bus shelter outside the Ksubi Store in Oxford Street. It’s a design disaster. The previous shelter was adequate, but the recently-installed one is a disaster.

While the new shelter is wider, the bench is smaller, allowing only four people to sit down. Another design fault is that a very large illuminated advertising sign has been placed at each end of the shelter. The result is that the four people who sit on the bench are unable to see if the approaching bus is the one they want. The previous shelter displayed a time-table, which is missing from the new one.

I guess the plan to demolish one shelter and replace it with another larger but less useful one is all to do with increasing funds from advertising. And of course, the people who use the bus shelter were not consulted about the new design.

Alan Wood

Bellevue Hill

Response to Ron's Bondi Cigars Letter

Dear Ron - What a Deadset Bondi Cigar you have turned out to be (Bondi Cigars, Monthly Mailbag, The Beast, November 2025). It seems to me the only turds



 Competitive pricing

All 482 visas may now apply for PR, including cooks, café managers, hairdressers, marketing staff, etc. The qualifying period has also been reduced to two years

Please call Brendan to discuss further

Brendan Muldoon Reg. Migration Agent # 0742052

39 Gould Street, Bondi Beach Phone: 0404 552 322 brendan@bondimigration.com.au www.bondimigration.com.au

popping up at Bondi Beach on the day of the peaceful Palestinian protest were those so-called locals who imposed their own narrow-minded right wing views on the protestors.

Bondi, like the rest of Australia, welcomes peaceful protests from men and women of goodwill from all sides of politics. There is no room at Bondi for turds these days, either in or out of the water.

Peter Manus Strain

Bondi Beach

A Costly Mess-Up

As owners and residents, we were invited to attend the council meeting on the Charing Cross upgrade. However, all comments were ignored.

The result is a mishmash of roadworks, ugly green urinestained boxes on the sidewalk and irregular road surfaces. We are told trees will be planted close to buildings so that leaves with their canopy will arise above awnings, fall onto buildings and block the

gutters. This is an expensive disruption to business, but for what benefit?

As Les O’Donnell indicated (Street ‘Upgrades’, Monthly Mailbag, The Beast, November 2025), what an expensive mess!

Georgie Waverley

Funding the Arts

Why does the NSW Government continue to reduce funding to the arts? Nowadays communication is primarily visual. It is so important that we learn and develop visual literacy skills. Instead, the visual arts have been continually marginalised.

Visual art syllabuses will specify that art practice involves maths, science, history, social studies, technology, media and communication - essential skills for current and future lives. How are young generations going to be able to ‘think outside the box’ and develop new ideas that contribute to the world if they don’t have a founda-

tion and experience in practising creative processes? Consequently, arts organisations need to be given a much higher profile and adequate funding - certainly equal status to sports stadiums.

Petra Pattinson Bondi Junction

To a Kind Driver

To the driver who hit my dog (not the driver’s fault, he was driving 40 km/h on The Corso) - I wanted to find you to thank and hug you. I know you felt terrible, you were kind and felt sorry for me. I wanted to reach out to say that my dog Ruben is fine, recovering nicely, and that he was very lucky! I hope someone knows him from reading The Beast and to hug him for me please!

Nicole Lowrey Maroubra

Please send your letters to letters@thebeast.com.au (with your name and suburb).

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Local Artist... Ryan Nicho from Randwick

Local artist Ryan Nicho is the talent behind this month’s Christmassy cover illustration of ‘Santa Jaws’. Ryan shares his local favourites with The Beast...

How long have you lived here? I moved to the Randwick/Coogee area from Albury not long ago and instantly fell in love with it. Before that I’d been travelling a lot between Albury and Randwick for work. After doing the Bondi Markets and other various markets in the area I was hooked!

What's your favourite beach?

I love Clovelly, Bronte, Coogee, Bondi… all of them. I’d also recommend checking out all the beaches around the Central Coast, it’s a really beautiful area.

What's your favourite eatery? I love Maybe Frank in Randwick, they make quality pizza.

Where do you like to have a drink? Hands down, Bat Country, located at The Spot. The staff are legends and it’s such a great vibe, whether you’re grabbing your morning coffee or a cheeky arvo beer.

Best thing about the Eastern Suburbs? The beaches, and the ‘everyone knows everyone’ vibe, which reminds me of growing up in the country. I also love how multi-cultural it is. It’s such a cool area, the best of all worlds.

Worst thing about the Eastern Suburbs? Not sure if anyone else has noticed, but the rents here are pretty high.

How would you describe your art? My art is a cheeky-fun-love-letter to classic cartoons, especially those from the 1940-60s. I love to get people thinking, whether it’s a hidden joke, maybe something educational, or just a bit of mischief.

Where can people see your work? I’m at the Bondi Markets every Sunday. Come and say hey and check out my cartoons (I’ll even give you a free sticker). You can also check out my instagram, @fairbumpisland, or my website, www.fairbump.com.

Who are your artistic inspirations? Walt Disney first comes to mind, Chuck Jones and Frez Freleng (of Looney Tunes fame), Hanna-Barbera, Albert Uderzo (Asterix), Murray Ball (Footrot Flats), Australian comic artist Gary Clark (SWAMP)... there are too many to name.

What are you working on at the moment? A tonne of comics, new designs and some top secret stuff!

When did you discover you had a gift for your craft? I loved drawing animals from a young age, though it wasn’t until I was about 6 or 7 that I began drawing Looney Tunes characters. It wasn’t too long before I began creating my own cartoon characters, who I still draw today.

Did you study art? Mum enrolled me in after-school art lessons when we moved to Albury, I must have been 7 at the time. We’d learn a lot about different styles of art, though all I wanted to do

was draw cartoons - I’d always find a way to turn my painting into a cartoony-gag. I learnt my Photoshop skills in high school, brushed up on the Adobe suite at TAFE, and everything else I’ve just been figuring out as I go.

Any words of wisdom for aspiring artists? Don’t stop, no matter how much you think you suck. The first drawing you do will suck, and the 10,000th drawing could also suck, though somewhere between those drawings there will be some stuff that doesn’t suck. And never throw out a drawing, no matter how much it sucks. Some of my best designs are based on little scribbles I did as a kid. Also, never use AI; AI art is like someone lip syncing and thinking they’re a singer. It’s cringe.

Who is your favourite person? Not Trump.

What do you get up to on the weekends? Work, work, work. If I’m not at a market, I’m usually screen printing or drawing - I’m at that stage of my little brand. Though it’s all fun.

What do you do for work? I draw and screen print cartoons. I love making things, I love entertaining, and I think, at the end of the day, that’s what I do. The same way Bugs Bunny cartoons made me feel as a kid is how I want to make other people feel. When I see people laugh at my cartoons at the markets it’s the best feeling and makes all the hard work worth it.

Do you have a favourite quote?

The ‘Man in the Arena’ quote by Theodore Roosevelt gives me a good kick when I need it. I recommend it to every creative.

Any other words of wisdom for readers of The Beast? If I gave away 99 per cent of my wealth, I’d be homeless. If Elon Musk gave away 99 per cent of his wealth, he’d still be a multi-billionaire... Support locals - the big boys have enough.

Interview James Hutton Photo Ryan Nicho Life is fun for Ryan.

Mall Makeover a Key Part of Bondi Junction Vision

Waverley Council has just released a ‘Bondi Junction Vision’ document as the first step in putting together a masterplan for the Junction.

One of the priorities set out in the report is the revitalisation of Oxford Street Mall with trees, lighting, dining and events that keep it active day and night.

Bringing the ailing mall back to life was a recurring theme in community research carried out by Council through workshops, pop-ups and online interaction. According to the vision document, “84 per cent of respondents identified Oxford Street Mall as the top priority for public domain improvements… The train station entrance and exit areas emerged as the overwhelming priority for improvement.”

Prepared by big architectural firm Architectus and property advisory consultants Bridge42, the well-designed vision document is 61 pages long and includes many images.

There’s an introduction from Mayor Will Nemesh, who states, “This Vision is about more than buildings and streetscapes.

It’s about creating a vibrant, accessible, welcoming place that supports people, business and community.” He sees the Junction becoming “a centre of vitality and opportunity that reflects Waverley’s values and meets the needs of generations to come.”

Housing forms a big part of meeting those future needs. The vision document says, “The challenge is to deliver new, well-located housing that balances increased supply with protection of valued character and amenity.”

Another aim outlined in the report is making sure the Junction doesn’t go to sleep at night - something the council is already working on with extended trading hours for restaurants and cafés and a loosening of outdoor dining restrictions.

The report cited the example of Enmore Road in the Inner West, designated the first Special Entertainment Precinct in NSW, which “shows how extended hours, curated live entertainment and sound management can transform a precinct into a vibrant destination from day to night.”

Playing Santa to Sick and Needy Kids

Words Anthony Maguire

Photo Chris Kringle

The annual Forever Johnno Christmas Presents for Sick Kids ‘wrapathon’ will be held at Clovelly Bowling & Recreation Club on Sunday, December 14.

Named after nine-year-old John Ward, who died of liver disease in August 2008, the Forever Johnno charity provides wrapped Christmas gifts for patients at the children’s hospitals at Westmead and Randwick, as well as their siblings.

“We’re now also delivering presents to domestic violence and family support organisations,” says John’s father and event organiser Mal (pictured).

Forever Johnno was launched soon after John’s passing, and the inaugural effort at Christmas 2008 saw 181 presents going to sick kids. Last year the tally was over 1,500, thanks to the generous sponsors and local families who provide the gifts and help wrap them.

If you’d like to bring a smile to the faces of sick and disadvantaged kids this Christmas, please rock up to Clovelly Bowlo between 1pm and 5pm on December 14. There’ll be free nibblies and face painting by artist Jaye Cranny.

This year’s sponsors include Clovelly Bowlo, Laugh and Learn, Chambers Russell Lawyers, Sydney Zoo, Merlin Events, Santa by the Surf and Leeton Community Christmas Lunch. For more information, please call Mall on 0414 293 396.

The real Santa.

Words Anthony Maguire Photo William Hartl

Mayor Nemesh wants to transform the Junction into a “centre of vitality” that meets future needs.

Restoration of Indigenous Rock Carvings Progresses

Once upon a time not long ago, the rock shelves along the Sydney shoreline were an Aboriginal art gallery, with outlines of fish, dolphins and other images etched into the sandstone.

But the ‘canvas’ for these artworks is a fragile one. Today all too many of these wondrous legacies of our pre-colonial past have been eroded away. The only way of saving them is re-etching, which is what took place in 1964 on the clifftop at North Bondi, where there’s one of the largest and most striking pieces of Indigenous rock art in Sydney. The restoration was overseen by Waverley Council and an all-white academic panel. No members of the Aboriginal community were directly involved.

Today, preparations are being made for another re-grooving, with Waverley Council giving the go-ahead to the “careful, sensitive Aboriginal heritage preservation” at the site on Bondi Golf Course in consultation with First Nations stakeholders. The council is placing a high priority

on deciding how it should take place and who should carry it out. An end of year deadline has been set for restoration proposals from the La Perouse-based Gujaga Foundation and the First Nations Advisory Council.

The person who placed the carvings restoration on the council agenda was Indigenous councillor Dominic Wy Kanak.

“The state of these rock carvings is deteriorating and does not reflect their environmental and cultural significance,” Cr Wy Kanak told The Beast

“Their restoration would be a worthy First Nations employment project.”

Councillor Wy Kanak is not originally from this area, but working with the Gujaga Foundation and the First Nations Advisory Council he’s helping the council hook up with Aboriginal elders who represent the traditional owners. One elder he has been talking to owns a sharp piece of flint, which was the type of tool used to create the engravings. The idea is that a chisel or

angle grinder won’t be used this time round.

The site at North Bondi features a massive shark, over two metres long, plus other marine creatures such as a sunfish. One of the most intriguing images is a humanoid figure with a turtle-like tail and a large, very round head like a person wearing a space helmet. The best preserved images are a pair of fishone presumably a shark because of its dorsal fin - measuring around 70cms in length.

Not far from the golf course carvings, beside a set of steps at Ben Buckler, is another Indigenous engraving of a turtle. Then if you head south to Mackenzies Bay you can see the faded image of either a whale or a sharkthere’s been plenty of debate about it.

Beyond the Eastern Beaches, there are other rock engravings at Diamond Bay and South Head. But they are all fading fast, and without responsible management these precious legacies of the past will be lost.

Words and Photo Anthony Maguire

Detail from the engravings on Bondi Golf Course.

Coogee

State-of-the-art

Responsive

Precincts are meetings of residents who get together regularly to discuss local matters or issues of concern in their neighbourhood. Waverley is split into 13 Precincts and meetings are open to any person living within the Precinct boundaries.

Visit waverley.nsw.gov.au/precinct or scan the QR Code to find out which Precinct you belong to and when they are meeting next.

Waverley Council Declares War on Selfish Driveway Blockers

Good news for anyone who’s ever had an idiot park across their driveway - Waverley Council will soon start trialling a new system where offending vehicles will be towed away.

“The trial will be complaint-driven, undertaken collaboratively with NSW Police and third-party towing providers, and evaluated after 12 months to determine feasibility for permanent adoption,” the council says.

A start date will be announced when arrangements are finalised, but it is expected to be introduced this summer. Under the new system, council officers will be authorised to have cars towed to the nearest legal parking space.

Helping to spur the council into action was a well-publicised case in Bondi last December where Gould Street resident Bronwyn Courtenay woke up one Friday morning to find her driveway blocked by a Subaru. She said all the council would initially do was place a $320 ticket on the car’s windscreen and she claimed police were equally powerless. Major news

outlets reported that, by midday Saturday, the car was still there, preventing her from driving her own vehicle onto the street. Waverley Council then had the car towed away.

Although that case received a big media splash, it was far from isolated. Waverley Council received 2,136 driveway obstruction complaints last financial year, according to Bondi Ward Councillor Michelle Stephenson, who has been a moving force behind the new scheme alongside Mayor Will Nemesh.

Speaking at the October meeting of Waverley Council, Councillor Stephenson said the new system will help residents who had all too often been left “feeling powerless in their own street.” She said the new scheme “puts power back into the hands of residents.”

Mayor Nemesh told the meeting that the tough new stance on driveway obstruction will “make a huge difference to the people of Waverley, especially in the Bondi area where it is very prevalent.”

Councillors unanimously agreed to the trial of the new system.

End of an Era for Maydad's Iconic Bondi Boxing Gym

Words Anthony Maguire

Photo Michael Tyson

It’s the end of an era as Maydad Ronen sells his beloved Bondi Boxing Gym after a successful 18 years of operation.

During that time the Bondi Road business has trained a number of top pugilists including former world champions Liam Paro and Ranee ‘KO Kid’ Ganoy. Mr Ronen has also helped a small army of local youths lead healthier, more purposeful lives.

“I’ve had kids come in who were into stealing cars,” Mr Ronen tells The Beast

“There were others who wanted to slash their wrists. I’ve been able to guide them on the right path. Boxing is a great outlet for channelling energy in a positive direction.”

Mr Ronen has sold the gym to take on caring duties for his father David, who has cancer. But he hasn’t hung up his gloves just yet, and is still giving lessons at Daceyville PCYC, perhaps changing the course of other young lives which might otherwise have been marred by crime or self-destructive behaviour.

Maydad has helped steer youths away from crime and suicide.

Words Anthony Maguire Photo Robert Bloch

Driveway blockers in Waverley will have their cars towed.

Waverley Council Update

Mayor's Message

unce the draft Bondi Junction Vision Statement is now on public exhibition. Shaped by community and stakeholder feedback, this document sets the tone for a reimagining of Bondi Junction as a vibrant shopping, dining and entertainment destination. So far, the community has indicated they want Bondi Junction transformed in the next five years from a throughfare into a civ ic and cultural hub. Congestion, safety, a dull atmosphere and an unappealing Oxford Street Mall were flagged as key areas for improvement. The Vision, which will help shape a full Master Plan, tackles these issues and more The Vision lays out a Bondi Junction that has a world-class interchange, serves as an urban oasis with open green spaces, and possesses a diversified mix of housing and employment options .

The conversations we have had so far have been crucial in shaping this exciting emerging identity – one of connection, creativity and inclusivity I thank everyone who shared their views on this massive project Now, the consultation on the draft Vision will allow the community to ensure it reflects their ambition and priorities for the area. The Vision will inform the eventual Bondi Junction Masterplan, whic h will be a clear, long-term blueprint to improve land use, transport, and community outcomes. View the draft and share your thoughts at haveyoursay.waverley.nsw.gov.au

Waverley’s

In line with our commitment to boosting Waverley ’s vibrancy, Council has a jam-packed program of festivals and special events this summer. As the holidays inch closer, take advantage of our festive markets to make a dent in your Christmas shoppi ng. On 22 November, carollers, stalls, performers and Santa himself will take over Newland Street to Bronte Road in Bondi Junction. There are two weekends of Christmas Markets at Bondi Park from – 12 to 14 December and 19 to 21 December. Carols by the Sea returns to Bondi Beach on 10 December from 5pm to 8pm,

Ph: 9083 8000 | waverley.nsw.gov.au

waverley.nsw.gov.au/subscribe

with local musicians, family friendly fun, food trucks and plenty of singalongs. We have a special Christmas celebration planned at the Boot Factory, plus a Chanukah event What ’s more, to supercharge Waverley ’s festive spirit, Council has made their largest ever investment in Christmas and Chanukah decorations for our community. We encourage you to deck out your homes and businesses and enter our Light Up Waverley competition, with prizes for Best House, Best Business and even Best Balcony. From 13 November to 20 December, see a movie under the stars at the Sunset Cinema at Dolphin Court Locals have great options for New Years Eve. We have elrow XXL Bondi Beach, a 15,000-person ticketed music festival with a stellar lineup, and adjacent is the free, family friendly Locals Lawn, with Waverley residents given priority ticketing access to a vibrant celebration and dedicated 9pm fireworks Finally, in January Sydney Festival comes to the beach, with interactive and largescale performances, including aerial acrobatics and wild installations. See waverley.nsw.gov.au for more details and sign up to the Waverley Weekly e-newsletter

William Nemesh Mayor of Waverley

A bold new vision for Bondi Junction

summer of fun

Taking Steps to Make the Coastal Walk Accessible to All

Words and Photo Anthony Maguire

Julian Pereira used to love exercising on the coastal walk that links the Eastern Beaches.

But in 2013, his days of doing the coastal walk - or walking at all - became numbered. He developed spastic paraplegia, a genetic disorder that progressively weakens the legs. Within six years he was in a wheelchair, unable to navigate numerous sections of the coastal walk because there are so many sets of steps.

“An accessible coastal path would benefit wheelchair users, older adults, parents with prams and anyone with mobility issues,” Mr Pereira told The Beast.

A talented artist, he highlighted the accessibility issue with a sculpture called The Thinker that he co-designed with fellow artist David Da Costa Enes for last year’s Sculpture by the Sea. The work was an adapted version of Auguste Rodin’s sculpture of the same name while also taking on the form of the international wheelchair accessibility symbol.

And now Mr Pereira has stepped up his campaign with a change.org petition called Make

the Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk Accessible to All.

“We’re proposing a 370 metre step-free additional path, beginning near Bondi Icebergs and working its way up the contours of the landscape to reach Marks Park near Mackenzie’s Point Lookout. We also want upgrades between Marks Park and Bronte.”

Accessibility advocacy group WheelEasy and online support worker provider Hireup have been helping run the campaign. Waverley Council also supports making the walk more accessible.

“Council proactively seeks opportunities to provide equity of experience of the coastal walk,” a Council spokesperson said.

“Where topography has allowed, this has been achieved over the years, including the circulation footpath installation at Marks Park, completed in 2019.”

Additional accessibility improvements are also being looked at under Council’s Coastal Reserves Plan of Management, currently undergoing community consultation.

Council’s Champion for Inclusion

Honoured in State Parliament

Words Anthony Maguire

Photo Joshua Hay

A senior staffer with Randwick City Council who has championed the rights of the LGBTQIA+ and Indigenous communities has received a prestigious award at NSW Parliament House.

Randwick’s Director of Community and Culture Katie Anderson received a Woman of Distinction Award at the 2025 Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government.

The ceremony was MC’d by the Member for Coogee Dr Marjorie O’Neill, with the awards being presented by Minister for Women Jodie Harrison and Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig.

Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker said Ms Anderson had “supported young Aboriginal staff to run yarning circles and workshops, and she’s championed truth-telling events like Culture on Country, which honours First Nations resilience and history. Katie has also been a driving force for LGBTQIA+ inclusion. She was an advocate for the Coogee Rainbow Walkway, which has become a symbol of diversity and pride in our city.”

Mayor Parker and Katie at the October 23 awards ceremony.

Julian is leading a campaign for step-free access to the coastal walk between Bondi and Bronte.

The latest from Randwick City Council about living in this great city

Randwick News

What a year for Randwick City!

We upgraded roads, footpaths and community spaces, added outdoor gyms at Maroubra Beach and Little Bay, and refreshed playgrounds at Wills Reserve and Woomera Reserve.

We progressed the missing link of the Coastal Walkway at South Coogee and provided targeted cost of living relief for seniors doing it tough.

In October, we launched new markets at Heffron Park and a festival at Kensington called Culture Vibes – bringing music, food and cultural workshops together.

We opened the WIRES Native Animal Recovery Centre at Randwick Sustainability Hub to care for injured wildlife.

We’re working with the local Aboriginal community on our first Reconciliation Action Plan to help close the gap and strengthen local economies.

Our Youth Forum sparked new ideas to support young people in mental health, housing and safety.

Thank you to everyone who helped make 2025 a year of progress and meaningful change.

Wishing you all a safe summer ahead.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Randwick Mayor

Dylan Parker

Councillor Dylan Parker Mayor of Randwick

What’s On

CHRISTMAS LAUNCH AND TREE LIGHTING

MONDAY 1 DECEMBER

7 pm

Goldstein Reserve, Coogee Beach

RANDWICK CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL

FRIDAY 5 DECEMBER

2 – 7.30 pm

Royal Randwick Racecourse

MAROUBRA BEACH (CHRISTMAS) MARKETS

SATURDAY 6 DECEMBER

8 am – 2 pm

Broadarrow Reserve, Maroubra

HEFFRON PARK (CHRISTMAS) MARKETS

SUNDAY 21 DECEMBER

8 am – 2 pm

Heffron Park netball courts, Maroubra

COOGEE CAROLS

SUNDAY 21 DECEMBER

6.30 – 8.30 pm

Goldstein Reserve, Coogee Beach

William & Emily (centre) and the crew from Proximity Plumbing, winner of the Trade Services category and People’s Choice Award.

The Pipes Were Calling - Proximity Plumbing Wins People's Choice

Words Anthony Maguire Photo Enzo Amato

A much-loved family-run plumbing firm with a zero-callout fee and guaranteed 30-minute response time was one of the stars at Waverley Council’s annual business awards.

At the Brightest & Best Business Awards night on October 29, Proximity Plumbing was the winner in the Trade Services category for the second year running - then at the end of the ceremony, William Demirdonder, who coowns Proximity with wife Emily, went to the stage again to receive the People’s Choice award from Mayor Will Nemesh.

The event in Bondi Pavilion was MC’d by Cathy Levins-Byers, who commended Proximity Plumbing for its “always low fees” and 4.9 star Google rating.

Other businesses that shone at the awards night included unisex and sustainable clothing specialist Ottway the Label, which took out the Retail & E-Commerce and Business of the Year awards, and Freedom Potential - Best New Business. MC Cathy described Freedom Potential as “a broadcast-quality studio and live streaming venue specialising in virtual events.”

Businesswoman of the Year went to Brenda Miley of Let’s Go

Surfing, which also took out the Sustainability Excellence award. MC Cathy said Let’s Go Surfing “provided unforgettable experiences at Bondi Beach, changing lives one wave at a time.”

The majority of the award winners were young compared to previous years, as were most members of the exuberant audience of over 200, largely made up of business owners and staff from the 71 finalists. This reflected an observation by Mayor Will Nemesh as he introduced the ceremony that almost half the 152 entrants for the awards had been businesses that started in the past five years. He commended all the entrants for being “vibrant businesses that have helped to shape Waverley.”

In all, 15 award winners stepped onto the stage of the Bondi Pavilion to receive crafted wooden trophies from Mayor Nemesh. They also won cash vouchers and in-kind prizes, supported by Waverley Council and generous event sponsors including major sponsors Healing on Spring and Premium Solutions, sharing in a prize pool of almost $10,000. You can see the full list of award winners on the opposite page.

Call to Curb OverZealous Ausgrid Pruners Under Randwick Tree Policy

Words Anthony Maguire

Photo Prue Ner

Randwick City Council will press Ausgrid to improve its tree pruning practices as part of its new Urban Forest Policy recently approved by councillors.

This follows frequent complaints about unnecessarily severe hacking of trees to protect powerlines.

“Most recently there’ve been complaints from residents in Surfside Avenue, Clovelly,” says Deputy Mayor Clare Willington.

“The problem is that the council doesn’t have authority over Ausgrid and we can’t tell them how to prune, when to prune or what contractors to use.”

The 23-page Urban Forest document approved by councillors at their October 28 meeting says, “We will advocate for better pruning practices by Ausgrid, other third parties or their contractors of street trees located under powerlines.”

A key objective under the draft policy is raising canopy cover from its current 16 per cent to 22 per cent by 2040. Councillor Willington says residents can play a major role in this by using the Request a Street Tree service offered on Randwick Council’s website.

Ausgrid tree carnage in Surfside Avenue, Clovelly.

Crime News

Firebomber Jailed

A thug-for-hire who torched the Bondi home of outspoken ‘Friendlyjordies’ political commentator and satirist Jordan Shanks has been jailed for five years.

Tufi Junior Tauese-Auelua, 39, is said by police to be an associate of the Alameddine crime network. He hired himself out as “muscle for third parties,’ said Judge McHugh.

Late one night in November 2022, Tauese-Auelua and another man poured petrol around the front of Shanks’ house and set it ablaze. They fled in a stolen Mercedes with cloned plates. Substantial damage was caused to the property.

Several months later, police charged Tauese-Auelua and his alleged associate - a bikie - with destroying property by fire in company. But when the proceedings reached court, the charge against the bikie wingman were dropped due to insufficient evidence.

However, there was plenty of concrete evidence to convict Tauese-Auelua of not only the Bondi arson attack but also a wounding charge relating to a separate incident where a property developer suffered a fractured eye socket and broken elbow after being beaten with a baseball bat.

The question remains: who financed the firebombing in a quiet Bondi street by the goonfor-hire? Shanks, who has 1.4 million YouTube subscribers, has been vocal on this topic. In a recent posting he said, “Why isn’t anyone able to get enough evidence to get whoever ordered the firebombing into a courtroom?”

Theft Suspect

Have you seen this character around the local traps? He’s in the sights of Eastern Suburbs Police Command over a stealing incident in Bondi Junction. If you have any information, contact Waverley Police Station on 9369 9899 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 and quote reference number E101183832.

Captain Hook

Maroubra man Ethan Ungerboeck feared his girlfriend was cheating on him. So he threatened to crush her spine and hang her upside down by the feet from hooks.

The vile text threats landed the 20-year-old former Scots College alumni in Waverley Court, where he pleaded guilty to stalking and intimidation.

Waverley Court was told the young woman had been going out with unemployed Ungerboeck for about three months. After she reported his threats to police, he was arrested, charged and served with an AVO.

He was allowed out on bail but has been living under curfew in his parents’ Maroubra mansion and is subject to daily

drug and alcohol swab checks. Sentencing was deferred pending reports.

Man had Multiple Police IDs - AFP

A bogus Australian Federal Police badge and ID card were recently handed in to Bondi Police Station by a member of the public. Tucked in behind the plastic casing of the card was a small amount of cocaine. The local cops got in touch with their federal colleagues and an urgent investigation got underway.

The investigation culminated in an AFP raid on the apartment of 50-year-old Double Bay man Jaime Farrelly - a sometime property developer who was last year banned by corporate regulator ASIC over unpaid tax and trading while insolvent. In the flat, the AFP says it found a cache of fraudulent badges and identification from several law enforcement bodies including the AFP and NSW police. In addition, they seized replica firearms, fake grenades, steroids and 14 grams of cocaine.

Farrelly was frogmarched to a paddy wagon in handcuffs. He has been charged with impersonating a Commonwealth official, possessing prohibited firearms and drug supply. A magistrate has allowed him out on bail on the condition he surrenders his passport, stays away from international departure points and reports daily to the local cop shop (presumably he won’t be wearing a badge).

Words Jimmy Fellon

Photo Rupert Hing

Who ordered the firebombing of Jordan's joint in Bondi?

Anyone recognise this bloke?

Cops and robbers, anyone?

The

Subject Goldies on the Water Location Coogee

Photographer Alex P

Subject Spring Dips Location Bronte Photographer Beau Tronche

Subject Perusing the News Location Randwick Photographer Kirsty Ross

Subject Surfer Girl Grace Location Bondi Photographer Cas Evans

Subject Chloe and Cheddar Location Dover Heights Photographer Rose-Megan Horner

Subject Scarlett and The Beast Location Randwick Photographer Zoé Le Meur

Subject Kangaroo Paw Location Coogee Photographer Deborah Corbett

Subject Eye on the Sea Location Coogee

Photographer Eric Isaacson

Subject Patience Location Clovelly Photographer Rebecca Martin

Subject Refresher Course Location Clovelly

Photographer James Smith

Reflections on Quite a Chaotic Year

There’s no denying that there is a palpable excitement inextricably linked to December. Summer is approaching and the weather is on the improve, the Ashes tests are on the horizon, the prospect of time off work, the pre-Christmas anticipation (or stress if you wait until Christmas Eve to start doing your Christmas shopping)... it’s undoubtedly a great time of year.

Unfortunately, I’ll not be able to personally participate in this glorious annual ritual, as I’m currently residing in ‘the other Newcastle’ in North East England, attempting (in vain) to stay warm and dry in the grim weather.

As I enviously watch summer approaching from the other side of the globe, I have taken the liberty of sharing my reflections on this past year - a chaotic year, to say the least. I feel as though it may be a worthwhile exercise for us to do a sort of collective debrief, as well as attempting to ascertain what the implications of these events might be.

Broadly speaking, 2025 saw seismic shifts in global events, especially in the realm of politics and other offshoots of the political sphere. The election of Donald Trump as President of the United States certainly shook up the global status quo. The second term under Trump has given way to a far more charged political climate, as the President continues to push his rhetoric and fan the flames of culture wars and divisiveness that were already problematically prevalent.

Trump’s re-election has set the precedent for hopeful conservative populist leaders around the world. This is visible in the UK with the emer-

gence of Nigel Farage and the Reform UK Party with its agenda of troubling, racially charged, anti-immigrant rhetoric.

In our own country, the re-election of Anthony Albanese has also been impactful. During the federal election, former opposition leader Peter Dutton opted for political tactics akin to other conservative populist leaders around the world, pushing an ‘us vs them’ agenda.

Ultimately, our country chose an alternative less reliant on division and negative rhetoric, rejecting what is fast becoming a sad global model of leadership. But hateful rhetoric still found a way to rear its ugly head in Australia, with Neo-Nazi marches taking place in some of our cities in August and September.

Sadly, global conflict was a defining element of 2025, with escalation in the Ukraine-Russia conflict that has resulted in large losses of life that are unlikely to stop in the foreseeable future. The massive and ongoing loss of life in Gaza that occurred throughout the year also looks likely to continue, with an unstable and tentative ceasefire agreement that fails to address any of the underlying problems still in its infancy.

Some extraordinarily alarming statistics and metrics regarding climate change have been released throughout the year, including the UN’s announcement that the 1.5-degree temperature increase threshold has already been breached. Unfortunately it feels like many of the worst records have been broken.

I don’t wish to depress all of you good people who go to the trouble of reading my articles, but unfortunately this is the confronting reality of the year 2025.

The world certainly seems to be at a point of what I would call ‘charged fragility’, where there are several things that could cause global instability and unrest at any point. Things are certainly frayed, and there seems to be an increasing void of tolerance.

A large part of why I put my focus into writing articles around community is because I believe that there is a link between healthy communities and a healthier society overall. Socialisation, support, positive leisure and fulfilment of the human need for togetherness and solidarity are paramount. I believe these traits are instrumental in making our world less fragmented and our lives less frenetic.

As we round out this year and approach 2026, I implore everyone to enjoy the beginning of summer, cherish the time with your families around Christmas and further bolster our community by demonstrating tolerance and respect for those around you. Your impact could be immeasurably positive.

Words Angus Henricks Photo Danny Kruger

This bloke could end up running the UK.

Bondi Bans Buffed Beach Bro's

Kieran Blake - kieranblakewriter.org

Buffed gym bro’s will be banned from Bondi Beach under Waverley Council’s plan to rid the beach of testosterone.

Council has created a new group of rangers called ‘Weights Watchers’ to enforce the new ban on free weights at the popular outdoor exercise area at North Bondi.

Safety was cited as the main reason for the ban, but furious fitness fanatics believe it was introduced following accusations of excessive testosterone and masculinity emanating from the predominantly male users of the space.

The sculpted sorority initially attempted to circumvent the ban by bench pressing each other, but saw their hard-earned gains disappear in days. They are up in arms that the proposed reality TV series Bondi Bromance has been canned and fear a secret agenda is behind the impending changes.

Replacing the free weights will be a safe daily morning circle in which participants will

be asked to nominate three values for the day, or, if this is too threatening, to point to one of the posters espousing positive affirmations.

A rainbow motif will adorn the space, and every participant will receive an attendance medal, relieving them of the arduous task of pretending to have run the City2Surf.

“Come and join the inauguration party at the beginning of summer,” beamed a spokesperson from Council.

“Watch the E-Sports tournament, join the Labubu Tea Party and enjoy the free bubble tea, macrons and red velvet cupcakes. Then, be sure to stick around for the concert featuring Sam Smith and Korea’s most androgynous superstars, BTS!” Gym bro’s are not so excited.

“They wanna replace dumbbells with dumb belles,” roared one member of Team Testy, the coalition of pectoral muscles advocating for the beautiful boys. Another member asked whether he would now have to

join a run club to score a date, while some online comments hinted at a deeper conspiracy.

A Reddit sub-thread revealed secret plans to lace Team Testy’s protein shakes with oestrogen. Once their man boobs start lactating, this will be bottled and sold as ‘Bondi Milk’. The emasculated muscle men will then be sporting bras and chest tattoos reading ‘My Blubber’s Keeper’.

Furthermore, every male visiting the beach must cover themselves from wrists to ankles while out of the water, except for Lifeguards, who will save drowning swimmers with their masculinity alone.

But all is not lost for Bondi’s ripped residents. They will be employed to hold up the cliffs above Bronte Beach during the summer months and have been invited to discuss the decline of Aussie masculinity with the rotund male hosts of Sky News. They will then be packed onto a ferry at Circular Quay to put the man into Manly.

Words

Photo Bodhi Builder

Time to tone down the testosterone.

Let’s Build Great Strata Communities

Words

Dr Marjorie O’Neill, Member for Coogee Photo Bodhi Corp

In NSW more than 1.2 million people live in strata dwellings, while here in the East we are already well over 50 per cent of all residents. By 2030 it’s expected that almost half of NSW’s population will live in strata communities.

Strata title ownership was first introduced in NSW in 1961 to provide a new way to legally own apartments, replacing older systems like company title. Strata is a system of property ownership for individuals to own a specific private unit - a ‘lot’ - such as an apartment or townhouse, while sharing ownership of the building’s common areas with other owners. This includes roofs, driveways, external walls, hallways, gardens and more. The owners are part of a collective body known as a body corporate or owners’ corporation that is responsible for managing and maintaining the common property, setting rules and collecting strata levies from owners to cover maintenance and administration.

There are a lot of benefits to strata living including the property being more affordable than

a stand-alone dwelling, shared amenities and services, lower direct maintenance costs and a strong sense of community. Disadvantages of strata living include financial obligations like strata fees and sometimes special levies, potential for disputes with neighbours and the requirements of building-wide rules and regulations. Owners may also face difficulties with poor management, long decision-making processes and limited control over decisions and expenses related to the common areas.

The NSW Government has recently made major changes to NSW strata laws to make strata better, with more planned for 2026. Key changes include enhanced building manager duties, new powers for NSW Fair Trading to enforce maintenance, improved handling of strata levies for those in financial hardship and updated rules for strata management agreements. These reforms aim to increase transparency, accountability and fairness for strata schemes in NSW. They have been introduced to protect owners and

make strata living easier. The Strata & Property Services Commissioner works within NSW Fair Trading to drive change to enable empowered, accountable and trusted NSW strata and property services sectors.

The Productivity and Equality Commission has been directed to examine and publicly consult as to whether prohibiting the payment of commissions and other conflicted payments to strata managing agents would lead to better value for money, higher quality services, lower costs and simpler arrangements for strata owners. The report is due in early 2026.

While the NSW Government is doing its bit to make strata living easier and fairer, there is a lot that those of us living in strata dwellings can do too. A strata community can be a lovely and supportive environment, a vertical village in which people look out for one another. Do you have a welcome pack for new residents providing key information? How about some community events and good communication about issues affecting residents? Is everyone genuinely and warmly invited to strata meetings? Are we all doing what we can to make strata management effective and fair, including understanding the new laws and learning to deal with difficult issues?

You can stay informed by visiting the government website and subscribing to the Property Matters newsletter at www.nsw. gov.au/housing-and-construction/strata. There is a lot of information explaining the law changes, as well as online modules that can help you to build a great strata community.

I would love to hear your ideas for growing respectful and harmonious strata environments, as well as what more the government needs to do to support you.

Neighbourhood watch.

I’ll Have What She’s Having

One of my favourite quotes is from the 1989 film When Harry Met Sally... If you’re unfamiliar with the scene, Meg Ryan’s character Sally convincingly fakes an orgasm in a restaurant to prove a point to Harry, who scoffs at the idea that women have faked orgasms with him. Much to his embarrassment, Sally’s loud but fake climax is noted by a lady at the next table who tells the waiter, “I’ll have what she’s having.” It’s a classic one-liner that demonstrates a desire for one to have the same seemingly satisfying experience that someone else is having.

36 years later the line still holds up but perhaps has a different connotation and prompts a different outcome within the context of today’s culture. Remember, the film was in 1989, pre-internet and pre-social media, with no real means or even desire for the experience to be shared with the public at large. The lady who wanted to “have what she’s having” was essentially experiencing what we see these days as a form of FOMO - she didn’t want to miss out on the experience of whatever it was that was getting Sally off. In essence, our onlooker was really saying, “I want to feel like she’s feeling; if I have the same thing then I’ll feel that too.”

There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting or experiencing the same thing that someone else or a group of people are doing, but what is it that drives us to do so? The idea of following a trend is not new. Wearing the latest fashion, for example, or being seen in the right places with the right people, etc. is an age-old concept. However, at the core of adopting a trend is the base psychological need to belong - to be part of a group - and, dare I say it, a need to conform. The real question is, why?

The bottom line is that people want to be right and, perhaps more importantly, people want to be liked. In other words, people look to others to see how to behave. The less informed we believe ourselves to be about a particular thing or situation, the more we tend to believe those around us. If we see a massive line-up at the donut shop we must think they are good - just look at the crowd, that donut must be amazing, what do they know that we don’t? I better get in line or I’ll miss out! The less we trust our own judgement, the more we tend to trust the judgement of those around us. To ‘fit in’ we must join that cue and follow the crowd. Our desire to belong tends to run deep and is at the very centre of social

pressure. To conform and follow the pack helps us maintain our self-perceived group membership and helps put a lid on any lack of self-confidence we may have.

In the online world it can be a bit more difficult but the same principles apply. The more subscribers or followers, the better the product or person must be, surely? Well, not necessarily. Despite feeling like you’re part of the in-crowd, the product or content you are consuming isn’t always better just because more people are buying or consuming it. What we are buying is a sense of belonging. People who follow are seen to be part of the in-group, giving them a sense of acceptance and possibly superiority. By following what others are doing it shortens and eases the cognition needed to process and make a decision for ourselves. Furthermore, if one finds a decision or task difficult or ambiguous we tend, generally speaking, to go with the herd, looking to others’ opinions as a reliable source of information.

Trends come and go. Group size or popularity is important, but only to a point. Do your research if in doubt, by going to page two or even three on a Google search. Just because there’s a long line at one bread shop doesn’t necessarily mean the bakery around the corner is not as good. Are we deciding because of quality or popularity? Had Sally had her fake public orgasm in the age of social media, chances are somebody would have filmed it, posted it and watched it go viral - would everybody be wanting to “have what she’s having?” Probably! But should we believe the hype? Probably not!

Jeremy Ireland is a local psychotherapist. If you have any questions you can get in touch with Jeremy by calling 0400 420 042.

Words Jeremy Ireland Photo Chet Faker

Making a scene.

Epic Christmas Stuffing and Sides

Words Dana Sims Instagram @stone_and_twine

It’s an exciting time of year when you plan what deliciousness will grace your Christmas table. I’ve created three easy to prepare recipes to share with you for stuffing and two sides - a roasted veg and a summery salad that will elevate your chosen protein. Divvy up the cooking, get the tunes ready and ensure the champagne is chilled. Let’s hope these recipes give you the festive food inspiration you’re looking for. Have a merry one!

CHRISTMAS STUFFING

Ingredients

6 slices white bread, crusts removed, torn into small pieces

200gm pork mince

½ brown onion, diced

4 slices prosciutto, roughly torn

1 green apple, peeled, cut into

small cubes

12 fresh sage leaves, roughly chopped

2 sprigs rosemary, roughly chopped

½ cup slivered almonds

2 tbs extra virgin olive oil

Sea salt & cracked black pepper Method

Pre-heat the oven to 200°C. Add all ingredients in a large roasting dish, break up the mince, and toss well to combine. Cook for 50 minutes, stirring occasionally (and break up with a fork) to ensure the stuffing browns. Remove from the oven and serve hot or slightly cooled.

ROASTED CARROTS

Ingredients

8 carrots, tops and ends removed, halved lengthways

2 tbs extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp red chilli flakes

Juice of 1 orange

1 tsp sea salt

¼ cup pistachios, shelled and roughly chopped, some left whole

40gm soft goats cheese

1 tsp lemon zest

Method

Pre-heat the oven to 200°C. Place the carrots in a roasting tray, pour over the olive oil, orange juice, chilli flakes and sea salt and toss well. Roast for 50 minutes until the carrots are a little browned and softened. Brush over the pan juices during roasting. Remove from oven and set aside until slightly cooled. Sprinkle over the pistachios, lemon zest and add small pieces of the goats cheese over the top before serving.

NECTARINE SALAD

Ingredients

4 ripe yellow nectarines, deseeded, cut into wedges

3-4 heirloom tomatoes, cut into slices

½ bunch fresh basil leaves

Dressing

2 tbs extra virgin olive oil

Juice of ½ lemon Method

Arrange the sliced nectarine and tomatoes on the base of a large platter. Scatter over the fresh basil leaves. Whisk the olive oil and lemon juice together to make the dressing, then drizzle it over the salad and gently toss.

Dana Sims is a Sydneybased food and prop stylist who has grown up in the Eastern Suburbs and loves to create delicious food. She is inspired by the fresh produce we have access to in Sydney. For ideas, recipes and styling inspiration, check out her Instagram, @stone_and_twine.

Festive food inspiration.

MAILBOX DELIVERERS NEEDED

The Beast magazine is looking for a couple of reliable local residents to help with our monthly mailbox drop. You'll need to be available for four or five days around the 18th to the 23rd of each month and have a reasonable level of fitness. You'll also need a half decent vehicle.

Locals over 50 years of age are preferred for this work, as the last 20 years has shown us that this is the demographic that really knows how to knuckle down and get a job done properly from start to finish. If this sounds like something you'd be interested in, please email james@thebeast.com.au.

HYAMS BEACH HEAVEN

The Boathouses at Hyams Beach offer the perfect place to escape busy Sydney and recharge your batteries. Just an easy three-hour drive from the Eastern Suburbs, The Boathouses offer separate two-bedroom properties, available to be booked individually or together. For more information or to book, please call 4411 7000 or email bookings@holidayscollection.com.au

The Beast Supercross

ACROSS

1. Pastel de nata had its origins here (8)

6. A category in taste of food (5)

7. Pointed eminence of the external ear (6)

8. Waterfall on the border of Argentina and Brazil (6)

10. Correct an error (7)

12. Deliberate introduction of sperm into a cervix (1,1)

13. Small scent hound (6)

16. Aussie Golden Bachelor’ s nickname (4)

17. White rum brand (7)

19. Middle Eastern sesame condiment (6)

20. Decorative forehead dot (5)

Trivial Trivia

1. Which of the following is a Japanese term that encompasses comics and cartooning; sanga, manga or danga?

2. Benita Collings, Alex Papps and Deborah Mailman have all hosted which TV show?

3. Bitumen is derived from which naturally occurring liquid?

DOWN

1. Beatrix Potter’s Leporidae character (5,6)

2. African ‘Land of a thousand hills’ (6)

3. Guitar-like instrument (7)

4. Respiratory organ (4)

5. Lacking originality (5)

8. Line connecting points of equal value (7)

9. Used for storing ashes (3)

11. Water-soluble protein prepared from collagen (7)

14. Spanish ruse (5)

15. Sailing boat for cruising (5)

18. House providing accommodation, food and drink for travellers (3)

4. In the NATO phonetic alphabet, which letter is represented by a capital city?

5. The tympanic membrane is found in which part of the body?

6. Which was finished first; the Suez or Panama Canal?

7. In which sport would ‘catching a crab’ be a problem?

8. A newly hatched chick can survive for up to 48 hours without food due to the presence of what substance in its abdomen?

9. What is the Sydney Harbour Bridge’s affectionate local nickname?

10. Which country’s Rugby League team is known as the Kumuls?

Tug

War Location Coogee Photographer Adrian Ferguson Tuor

Words Lisa Anderson

Bondi Counselling Services

SnarskiCircusLindyBand

What’s Said and What’s Left Unsaid

Label TEARDROP

Reviewer @aldothewriter

Rating

Aussie music royalty Rob Snarski and Lindy Morrison have come together to release this really quite lovely album. It takes us back to a time when songwriting was a true artform, when quality overrode quantity and genuine care was taken with everything from the lyrics to arrangements. Jumping around the genres, with country ballads mixed in with some delightful old post-punk-pop, it is a lo-fi embrace, oozing with nostalgia and feeling very Australian. It’s like hanging out in the backyard after a barbie with your cool aunt and uncle, along with a bunch of their friends.

Lily Allen West End Girl

Label BMG Rights Management

Reviewer @aldothewriter

Rating

Did you know that Lily Allen’s brother, who she wrote the wonderful song ‘Alfie’ about years ago, played Theon Greyjoy (the guy who got his knob chopped off) in Game of Thrones? I did. Did you know Lily Allen’s marriage broke down recently and she’s had a real rough time of it? I did not. I do now though. Strewth, Lily isn’t just airing the dirty laundry, she’s accosting people on the street and demanding they fondle the family’s soiled underpants. While I feel sorry for her marriage falling apart, the upside is a killer album and her best work since, well, ‘Alfie’.

Ocie Elliott Bungalow

Label Nettwerk Music Group

Reviewer @aldothewriter

Sometimes you need to forget about all the misery in the world and frolic barefoot in the surf, preferably in your best linen, while showing just enough skin to be sexy but not showy. Frolicking is a serious business. Not many people realise that. Ocie Elliott are definitely frolickers, but there is more to them too. They glide across the full folk spectrum, starting with their toes in the sand and ending with the Bon Iver warm cabin in the woods vibe. Light a fire, get cosy, drink too much red wine and see how many rude words you can spell in Scrabble.

Star Signs

Visions Beardy from Hell

Aquarius Jan 21-Feb 19

Don’t worry about being a failure. All your mates are just as miserable, despite how they portray their lives on social media.

Pisces Feb 20-Mar 20

Quit carrying on about how old you are. Yes, you’re looking pretty rough, but you’re not going to die any time soon.

Aries Mar 21-Apr 20

Listen to people when they are answering your question, rather than trying to think of the next clever thing to ask them.

Taurus Apr 21-May 21

No one believes you when you pretend not to know who Bonnie Blue is. Just admit you’re on there every day.

Gemini May 22-Jun 21

Most people procrastinate because they’re just lazy, but you are driven more by an irrational fear of imperfection.

Cancer Jun 22-Jul 22

You must urgently intervene to rescue your impressionable friend from the extreme ideologue who’s influencing them.

Leo Jul 23-Aug 22

It’s true that laughter can build social bonds faster than deep conversations, but that doesn’t

18-30 January 2026

Get ready for hands-on adventures this summer!

• Rockpool rambles at South Maroubra and Little Bay

• Snorkelling tours at Clovelly, Gordons Bay and Bare Island.

• Marine discovery tour at Wylies Baths

• Surfing for kids at Maroubra

• Dr Rips Science of the Surf talk at South Maroubra

• Ocean Action Pod marine plastic pollution education trailer at Coogee Beach

• …and more!

incredible showroom, made-to-order headboards & beds