The café culture took over Bondi in the 1980s, when property values climbed as dramatically as school enrolments fell. The higher cost of living displaced many locals to neighbouring suburbs or else further along the coast. Suddenly, the “locals” of Bondi were the café goers who seldom stepped foot on the beach let alone entered the water. The surf had become a backdrop for a steady stream of traffic, with the occasional sports car purring past envious onlookers.
Over the past couple of years, Facebook has helped to revive the community that loved Bondi before commercial interests overwhelmed the place. By sharing stories and old photos, the real Bondi is slowly reclaiming its heritage. This magazine embraces the growing enthusiasm for Bondi’s past, by delving into the stories that helped shape its unique character.
It is an honour to be able to present these stories in the form of a literary magazine. If you feel like sharing your memories of Bondi, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Dan Webber
Bondi Stories 