1961 - present

In the words of Maisie Rogers of arriving in Bondi in the 1980s:
“Everybody knew Sydney was about opportunities but there was an energy about Bondi. It was electric. People everywhere. Busy, hustling. Sensory overload for this rural Māori girl. The air carried a scent of sea and anticipation.

I stayed with my colourful Uncle Albert. He was quite a figure in Bondi. He lined up everyone like ducks to help make the transition to Bondi. There were rituals and being useless was never an option.

Bondi was filled with the voices of ethnicity. Contrary to some reports, Māori were amazing. We chose, like our ancestors, to explore. We formed a tight and loyal community and brought our passion for sport with us.

Our waterhole was the infamous Astra. There was an Astra rugby league team and a netball team. The owner of the Astra was Mrs B. She loved the Māoris and they in turn had respect for her. Some of the hearty revellers would continue their night at the seedy nightclub the Fondue Hair. So we worked hard and we played harder. We had Bondi babies. Ngati Bondi is their tribe and Bondi Beach is their moana [ocean]. 

My mother visited and said: ‘You call this a beach, you can’t get pipis!’ The locals knew that beyond the waves was a hidden trove of kaimoana, but nowadays the shoreline is protected and there is no diving for seafood.

Bondi had a rich fabric made up of sports, surfing, music and culture including the first Waitangi festival in Australia. 

Things change: the Astra is a retirement village now and there is only a handful of Maori left to enjoy the cafe culture. Our babies have had babies. We are the honorary aunties and uncles. When one of our tribe passes we gather to remember.

I like saying I’m from Bondi. I was here in the glory days when the rents were kinder because no-one wanted to live here. Summer always reminds me of those heady days. Bondi HARD!”    

Courtesy Maisie Rogers, images courtesy Nicholas Young and Patrick Smith (BLINKS).