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The Veronicas to Headline Summer Sounds 2025 at North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club

Australian pop duo The Veronicas will headline Summer Sounds 2025, set to take over the North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club on Saturday 1 November. The one-day event, presented by Rolling Stone AU/NZ and fashion and lifestyle retailer THE ICONIC, will blend live music, fashion, and beachside culture at one of Sydney’s most recognisable coastal landmarks.

Read: Tama Touch Group Breaks World Record at Bondi in Support of Beyond Blue

Now in its second year, Summer Sounds follows its debut in 2024 and continues the partnership between Rolling Stone and THE ICONIC. The event is designed as a seasonal launch, combining live performances with fashion-led experiences in a coastal setting.

The Veronicas

Twin sisters Lisa and Jessica Origliasso, known as The Veronicas, have been part of the Australian music landscape for more than two decades. With hits including Untouched, 4ever, and You Ruin Me, their songs have topped charts both in Australia and internationally.

Their headline role at Summer Sounds 2025 adds another chapter to their career, with a performance expected to draw long-time fans as well as new audiences. Known for their energy on stage and ability to connect with crowds, the duo will bring their music to Bondi in a setting that reflects the start of the Australian summer.

Summer Sounds Competition

Access to the event will be through a competition run by THE ICONIC rather than standard ticket sales. To enter, customers must hold an ICONIC account and submit their details via the Summer Sounds page on THE ICONIC’s website, along with their answer to the question: which summer anthem would you play first at Summer Sounds and why?

The competition opened at 10:00am AEST on Monday 29 September 2025 and will close at 11:59pm AEDT on Sunday 19 October 2025.

The major prize includes four passes to the event, return flights to Sydney if needed, two nights of accommodation in Bondi Beach, and a $3000 voucher to spend at THE ICONIC. A further 25 double passes are also available, providing more opportunities for fans to attend.

Read: Bondi Rescue to Continue for “Many Years to Come” at Bondi Beach, Producers Confirm

A Bondi Summer Moment

The return of Summer Sounds confirms Bondi Beach as more than just a location for surf and sand. The combination of live music, fashion, and the coastal setting reflects the cultural role the beach plays each summer. With The Veronicas headlining, North Bondi Surf Lifesaving Club will host a day that marks the start of the season in Sydney.

Published 2-October-2025

Bondi Beach Art Exhibition Secures $200,000 Donation

Photo Credit: Sculpture By The Sea

Sculpture by the Sea at Bondi Beach will go ahead after organisers secured $200,000 in corporate funding, ending uncertainty caused by a budget shortfall.

Funding Shortfall and Public Appeal

On 24 September, organisers of Sculpture by the Sea announced that the Bondi Beach exhibition might not proceed without $200,000 in additional funding. The annual outdoor art event, scheduled to open on 17 October, faced a financial gap after its funding dropped from $1 million in 2023 to no direct support in 2024. The organisation issued a call for urgent assistance, highlighting that the event was at risk just weeks before opening.

outdoor exhibition — *Photo Credit: Sculpture By The Sea*

Corporate Support Ensures Event Goes Ahead

On 26 September, insurance company NRMA stepped in with a $200,000 corporate donation, bridging the shortfall and confirming the event would proceed. In the days leading up to the donation, organisers had already crowdfunded $125,000 from the public. While that amount would have supported a scaled-back version of the festival, the additional corporate support means the full program, including the education initiative for school students, can continue.

Sydney art festival — *Photo Credit: Sculpture By The Sea*

Event Scale and Costs

The exhibition typically features about 100 sculptures installed along the Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk. The total cost of staging the event is about $3 million, with $800,000 required just for installation. Around 60 contractors and more than 20 temporary staff are engaged in setting up the sculptures, highlighting the significant scale of the project.

Artist Investment

More than 100 artists are expected to participate in 2025. Each artist spends an average of $15,000 on materials, freight and installation. For this year’s exhibition, artists are guaranteed an income of $3,000, with further earnings dependent on prize money and the sale of their works.

Attendance and Cultural Role

The event attracts about 450,000 visitors annually along the Bondi coastal walk. Since its beginnings as a one-day show in 1997, Sculpture by the Sea has grown into one of Sydney’s largest free outdoor art festivals, offering the public wide access to contemporary sculpture in an open setting.

Published 28-Sep-2025

Breakthrough Study Finds Kingfish Spending Winter at Bondi

Photo credit: Google Maps

Bondi Beach is known for surfers, swimmers and tourists—but now it has an unexpected seasonal visitor. Scientists from Deakin University have discovered that Yellowtail Kingfish, a prized catch for recreational anglers, head to Bondi during the colder months.

Read: Warming Seas May Bring Year-Round Bull Sharks to Bondi

The finding comes from a large-scale tracking project in which 40 kingfish along Australia’s east coast were fitted with acoustic tags. Data revealed that the fish, commonly caught in Victoria, move across Bass Strait after summer and migrate north to spend winter in Bondi’s waters.

For saltwater fishers, kingfish are among the most sought-after catches, especially along the stretch from Mallacoota to Portland and in the southern waters of Port Phillip and Western Port.

This breakthrough sheds light on a long-standing mystery about the species’ movements. Kingfish are highly sought after, yet researchers have known little about their migration patterns or breeding behaviour. Early results suggest they may be spawning in warmer waters, possibly off New South Wales seamounts, but more data is needed to confirm.

The project is being powered by recreational fishing licence fees through the Victorian Fisheries Authority, with additional support from Project Kingfish, which is also deploying satellite tags. By uncovering where these fish travel and reproduce, scientists hope to provide vital information for fisheries management.

The Victorian Fisheries Authority is already considering changes to catch limits, aiming to ensure the sustainability of kingfish stocks while still allowing anglers the thrill of reeling in these powerful fish. Local fishing clubs are also being encouraged to take part in tagging programs to help expand the research.

Read: Bondi Rescue to Continue for “Many Years to Come” at Bondi Beach, Producers Confirm

“The proposed change would leave more kingfish in the water to be shared amongst experts and beginners and encourage responsible fishing practices that balance taking home a meal of fresh fish with continued improvements in local stock levels,” the Victorian Fisheries Authority stated.

For Bondi, the discovery highlights the beach’s role not only as a global destination for people but also as an important stopover for marine life. As scientists continue to track these ocean travellers, Bondi’s waters may become a key piece of the puzzle in protecting one of Australia’s most prized recreational fish.

Published 19-September-2025

Tama Touch Group Breaks World Record at Bondi in Support of Beyond Blue

Bondi Beach witnessed a history-making spectacle earlier this month when the Tama Touch Group officially secured the Guinness World Record for the longest beach touch rugby game.

Read: Big Walk for Little Kids Launches at Bondi Beach

Over the course of 34 hours, 9 minutes, and 25 seconds of continuous play, the community-based team not only showcased extraordinary endurance but also rallied support for an issue close to their hearts — mental health.

The marathon game, held from 3–4 September, was more than a sporting feat. It was the culmination of months of preparation and a demonstration of what can be achieved when mates unite for a greater purpose. Every sprint, dive, and pass carried the weight of a cause that impacts millions of Australians: raising awareness and funds for Beyond Blue.

Since its founding in 2001 in Tamarama, the Tama Touch Group has evolved from casual weekly games into a supportive community built around connection, camaraderie, and the belief that sport can help tackle life’s toughest challenges. Playing three times a week, the group has long viewed their regular beach touch sessions as more than exercise. They are a lifeline for mental wellbeing and friendship.

The world record attempt brought together 22 players of diverse backgrounds, along with their families, friends, and supporters who cheered from the sidelines. Special appearances, including Bondi lifeguard and television personality Dean Gladstone, added to the energy and profile of the event.

For participants, the physical toll of running the equivalent of one and a half marathons on sand was immense, but the symbolic message was even greater: community sport can be a powerful force against isolation and the stigma of mental health struggles.

The event has already raised $178,512 toward the group’s goal of more than $300,000 to support Beyond Blue’s work. Contributions are still being accepted, encouraging the broader community to recognise the importance of initiatives that promote connection, resilience, and open conversations around mental health.

Read: Robyn Smith’s Bold City2Surf Run Highlights Genetic Cancer Awareness

By setting a new world record, the Tama Touch Group has proven that determination and teamwork can achieve the extraordinary. More importantly, they have used their passion for touch footy to highlight the importance of mateship and support — showing that when communities come together, they can break more than just records.

Published 9-September-2025

New Year’s Eve Festival Returns to Bondi Beach After a Decade

Photo Credit: ShoreThingNYE/Facebook

Bondi Beach will host a large-scale New Year’s Eve festival in 2025, marking the return of celebrations on the shoreline for the first time in over a decade.

Background and Context

Bondi Beach previously hosted the Shore Thing festival, which ran until its final event in 2013 before being cancelled in 2014. Past editions brought major international acts to the sand, including Snoop Dogg, Calvin Harris, Skrillex, Flume, Underworld, The Presets, David Guetta, Carl Cox, and The Chemical Brothers.

New Year’s Eve festival — *Photo Credit: ShoreThingNYE/Facebook*

Festival Details for 2025

The 2025 return will be organised by Fuzzy, the company behind Harbourlife, Field Day, and Listen Out. Licensed to run the event, Fuzzy has confirmed it will be a ticketed celebration for over-18s only, with attendance capped at 15,000 people. While the line-up has not yet been released, organisers have indicated the focus will be on Australian performers, partnerships with nearby businesses, and support for local charities.

Community Event on the Beachfront

Alongside the main festival, a free family-friendly event will take place with Bondi Beach as its backdrop. The program will feature food trucks, roaming entertainment, and a fireworks display at 9:00 p.m. Entry will require advance registration.

Sydney events — *Photo Credit: ShoreThingNYE/Facebook*

Focus Beyond the CBD

The festival is intended to broaden Sydney’s New Year’s Eve offerings, which are often centred on the CBD. Organisers have framed the event as both a community-focused return and an opportunity to create a new hub for celebrations by the shoreline.

What Comes Next

Ticket sale information and the festival line-up will be announced in the coming months. The reintroduction of a New Year’s Eve event at Bondi Beach adds another option to Sydney’s end-of-year calendar after more than a decade without one.

Published 6-Sep-2025

SABRA Brings a Slice of History to The Bondi Junction Theatre

Photo Credit: Netta Yashchin/Facebook

Sydney audiences are set to experience a deeply personal story of immigration, family, and resilience at The Bondi Junction Theatre, through Netta Yashchin’s one-woman show, SABRA.

Performance Dates and Venue

The performance draws on Yashchin’s childhood experiences, telling the story of a mother navigating a new country while raising a teenage daughter. SABRA runs for seven performances from 18–21 and 25–27 September at The Bondi Junction Theatre, 5 Saber Street, Woollahra.

Each show starts at 7:30 pm, with tickets priced at $45 and a 10% early-bird discount available with code NETTA25 until 4 September. The 55-minute production is rated M for mature audiences.

About the Performer

Netta Yashchin, a NIDA graduate, is an accomplished actress and director with international theatre experience. She has starred in Quartet, Checklist for an Armed Robber, Memmie Le Blanc, and Twin for the Melbourne Theatre Company.

Yashchin has also directed award-winning adaptations, including I Only Came to Use the Phone by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Her work has been showcased at festivals in Adelaide, Vienna, Hamburg, Izmir, New York, and the Czech Republic.

The Story of SABRA

SABRA presents Zhenia’s story with humour, honesty, and authentic emotion. Audiences follow her journey as she balances personal dreams, cultural adjustment, and her relationship with her teenage daughter Fania. The narrative captures the everyday challenges and triumphs of immigration, highlighting the resilience and hope of families adjusting to new environments.

Through vivid storytelling and compelling performance, the show brings the experience of past migrations to life for modern audiences.

Community and Cultural Significance

By presenting SABRA in Sydney, the production contributes to the city’s growing landscape of diverse and intimate theatre experiences.

buy tickets here

It offers a space for audiences to connect with history, culture, and personal stories of migration, fostering community awareness and empathy.

The performance encourages discussion about identity, family, and belonging, making it not just entertainment but a shared cultural experience.

Published 28-August-2025

Big Walk for Little Kids Launches at Bondi Beach

Photo Credit: Camp Quality/Facebook

The Big Walk for Little Kids fundraising campaign will launch at Bondi Beach, bringing families, participants and supporters together for a community walk.

Bondi Beach Event to Mark Launch

The Big Walk for Little Kids will officially begin at Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club on Saturday, 30 August. From 8 a.m., participants can collect free merchandise and enjoy entertainment before stepping out at 9:30 a.m. for a community walk along the Bondi promenade.

Celebrity surf lifesaver Harries Carroll, the campaign’s 2025 champion, will join the event. Families and supporters, including eight-year-old Hermione, who was diagnosed with leukaemia just before her fifth birthday, will also take part in the launch.

Background on the Fundraiser

Now in its sixth year, the Big Walk for Little Kids invites Australians to walk 50 km, 100 km or 150 km throughout September to raise funds for children and families impacted by cancer. The campaign is organised by Camp Quality and supported nationally by ALDI.

Since its inception, the initiative has raised more than $7.8 million. For the 2025 campaign, more than 6,500 people and over 620 teams have already registered, raising more than $587,000. Funds support Camp Quality programs such as Family Camps, Kids’ Camps, Family Getaways and services delivered by Child Life Therapists.

Stories of Families Involved

Participants include families like Hermione’s, who joined Camp Quality activities after her diagnosis. Her mother described the impact of programs such as camps, picnics and family getaways, which provided moments of fun during treatment.

Other fundraisers, such as Isabelle, are walking in memory of loved ones. Isabelle is taking part to honour her son Ryder, who was diagnosed with leukaemia at two and a half years old and passed away in 2015. She explained that walking in the campaign allows her to help bring joy to other children facing similar challenges.

Next Steps

Registrations remain open throughout September, with sign-ups available at the Bondi Beach launch and online. Participants can track their kilometres, share their fundraising pages and continue contributing to the campaign nationwide.

Published 28-Aug-2025

Robyn Smith’s Bold City2Surf Run Highlights Genetic Cancer Awareness

Photo Credit: Inherited Cancers Australia/Facebook

For Robyn Smith, the 14 kilometres of City2Surf were about more than running, they were about confronting inherited cancer head-on and demanding support for those at risk.

Event Highlights and Timing

Robyn Smith, a 46-year-old mother of three from Canberra, completed this year’s Voltaren City2Surf bare-chested to raise awareness about inherited cancer risks. She ran the 14-kilometre course from Sydney’s CBD to Bondi Beach with her double mastectomy scars on display, the words “Flat out for funding” painted across her chest.

*Photo Credit: Inherited Cancers Australia/Facebook*

The message aimed to draw attention to a charity supporting those with genetic cancer risk that receives no government funding. Held on Sunday, the 2025 City2Surf marked its 55th year and attracted about 90,000 participants. Smith crossed the finish line among thousands raising money and awareness for causes close to their hearts.

A Personal Journey

Smith carries the BRCA2 gene mutation, which significantly increases the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Her family history includes multiple relatives diagnosed with these illnesses.

In 2018, she underwent a preventative double mastectomy and initially chose reconstruction, but later had the implants removed after health issues she linked to breast implant illness. She has since chosen to remain “flat” and uses public events like City2Surf to show that living without reconstruction is a valid choice.

Advocacy and Fundraising Goals

Her City2Surf run was part of a fundraising effort for Inherited Cancers Australia (ICA), a patient advocacy group that supports people with a genetic predisposition to certain cancers. The organisation, currently without federal funding, relies on community donations and corporate sponsorship.

Smith said she hoped her bold approach would not only raise awareness but also encourage more sustainable support for groups like ICA.

Inspiration from Abroad

Smith’s decision to run topless was inspired by UK advocate Louise Butcher, known as “The Topless Runner,” who has twice completed the London Marathon while living flat.

Smith said she wanted to send the same message in Australia, that women can be flat, strong and unapologetic. Her appearance at City2Surf resonated with many along the course, with supporters cheering and taking interest in her cause.

Published 13-August-2025

Warming Seas May Bring Year-Round Bull Sharks to Bondi

Bondi’s iconic shores are seeing sharks stick around for longer as ocean temperatures rise, with researchers warning that bull sharks may soon become a year-round presence.

Read: Bondi Could See Shark Nets Removed in New Beach Safety Trial

New findings based on 15 years of acoustic tracking data from 92 migratory bull sharks show that these predators are now lingering off the Sydney coastline for an average of 15 days longer in summer than they were in 2009. The warmer water is disrupting traditional migration patterns, which typically saw bull sharks head north to Queensland during the colder months.

Bondi Beach, a hotspot for both swimmers and researchers, is at the centre of these changing patterns. The area has recorded a gradual rise in sea-surface temperatures, averaging a 0.57°C increase between 2006 and 2024, extending the window when sharks are likely to be present.

Recent real-time data supports these findings. On July 29 at 2:41 am, White Shark #2194 was detected by a receiver just off Bondi, according to the Dorsal Watch shark alert system. Another detection, recorded on August 8, involved an unspecified species triggering a Bondi receiver.

Although shark bites remain rare, the prolonged presence of bull sharks off Bondi could increase the overlap between these large predators and beachgoers. Experts say that while the risks are still low, awareness is key as warming seas shift marine behaviours.

The trend is not only affecting bull sharks. Researchers have also observed changes in the distribution of other species, with early signs of juvenile bull sharks moving further south and cooler-water species like great whites appearing less frequently in their traditional northern ranges.

Read: Bondi Rescue to Continue for “Many Years to Come” at Bondi Beach, Producers Confirm

The ongoing warming of Sydney’s coastal waters could mean that Bondi swimmers will need to remain shark-aware for longer periods each year, especially as tracking data reveals more frequent activity close to shore.

Published 8-August-2025

Shark Net Removal Trial Sinks After Refusal to Nominate Beaches

A proposed trial to replace traditional shark nets at Bondi and other Sydney beaches has now stalled, after Waverley, Northern Beaches, and Central Coast pulled back from nominating sites — creating a policy deadlock with the state.

Drawing Evidence from Earlier Net Removals

Earlier this year, nets were removed from some beaches a month early to protect migrating turtles. Experts are now reviewing data from the trial to assess how alternative safety measures perform during busy beach periods.

The plan involves Waverley, Northern Beaches, and Central Coast each selecting one site for the program. Nominations close on 22 August, with a final decision expected before summer.

A New Approach to Protecting Swimmers and Marine Life

The trial would use equipment already in place along parts of the coast, such as drones, SMART drumlines, and shark listening stations. These tools aim to spot and deter sharks without harming other marine species, addressing long-standing concerns about nets catching turtles, dolphins, and rays.

*Photo Credit: HSI-AMCS-N McLachlan through Humane Society International Australia*

Bondi’s current net covers only part of the beach, and experts say it does not act as a complete barrier. For some residents, the trial offers a chance to test whether technology can make the beach safer while reducing environmental harm.

But Councils are now stepping back as these alternative methods remain untested at Bondi this summer. Waverley Council indicated it did not want the responsibility of deciding whether to remove nets from Bondi or Bronte, saying the decision should rest with the NSW. Northern Beaches Council also declined to nominate a site, and Central Coast Council has requested more time.

Weighing Their Options

Waverley Council, which manages Bondi Beach, has said it would only back the trial if extra safety measures are added, including more drone patrols and additional SMART drumlines.

That position has now shifted, with the council opting not to nominate a beach at all. Northern Beaches Council has also backed away from the trial, while the Central Coast is delaying a final answer.

Amid this, the state has confirmed it will renew lucrative shark net contracts — worthe than $2.4 million last year — after the previous agreements expired in June. The three councils were initially chosen for the trial because they had long advocated for net removal.

Balancing Public Safety with Conservation Goals

NSW officials say the trial is designed to test whether non-lethal methods can provide the same level of safety as nets while reducing harm to marine life. Marine scientists have pointed out that nets are not complete enclosures and that sharks often swim around them, raising questions about their effectiveness.

For now, those questions remain unanswered, as the withdrawal of council support means Bondi and other trial beaches will continue using nets when the season begins in September.

For the Bondi community, the move could shape the future of beach safety, offering a way to protect both swimmers and the coastal environment. If similar trials are revived in future seasons, they could reopen the debate — but for this summer, the status quo remains.

Published 06-August-2025