Hi I’m Olivia!
I’m a local mama in North Bondi. I’m also a NIDA Graduate (Bachelor of Dramatic Art 1997) and have been a professional actress for over 30 years, with a career in film, TV, theatre and voice over. Since becoming a mum I’ve realised the importance of including Drama into our kids education. Drama is great for so many reasons! Drama helps to nurture creativity, confidence, develop social skills, connection, collaboration and empathy (by walking in another’s shoes) – but most of all, it’s super fun! Noticing a gap in primary aged education, Bondi Kids Drama was birthed in 2019. We offer regular term classes & holiday workshops for kids (aged 7 – 12 years) in both Drama & Short Film. We teach kids important skills such as improvisation, creative expression through voice & movement, foundational acting techniques and script analysis. In our Short Film class the kids learn all aspects of short filmmaking such as genre, writing, storyboarding, shooting, directing and acting. We also offer private coaching sessions for kids wanting to take it further by auditioning for performing arts high schools or jumping into professional work. In between teaching, I’m still a working actress and able to share all I’ve learnt and am still learning on the job! I’m also a yoga teacher (RYT 500 – Hatha & Yin) & long term meditator. I find I’m also able to share these very important mindfulness skills with kids as well.
Where and how long have you lived in Sydney’s east?
We live in North Bondi. I grew up on the Northern Beaches but moved to Bondi Beach in 1993. My husband moved here from New Zealand around the same time. We lived in the same block of flats in Ben Buckler for over 20 years before we finally had to move to a bigger space.
Three words that describe what it’s like to live in the eastern suburbs?
Busy
Beautiful
Community
How many children?
Just one precious one!
Favourite Park?
Hugh Bamford. We love the wide open space & the big sky. The park is elevated so it has a great view over all of Bondi Beach & the ocean on the other side. It was a godsend during COVID – we spent a lot of time walking our pooch.
Favourite Beach?
Bondi Beach of course!
Favourite kid friendly cafe?
Shuk is our local & a great café for all ages. They have a space out the back for little kids to roam.
Favourite Coffee Spot?
I have a few spots that I love: Shuk, Depot & Harry’s. Bru is really great too.
Favourite date night place?
Totti’s. We all love this place – so it’s usually the 3 of us! The food, the drinks, the service are all excellent. Who doesn’t have a favourite dish at Totti’s ?!
Where in the east have you yet to explore and would like to ?
We love doing coastal walks but we haven’t explored between Coogee to Maroubra or Maroubra to La Perouse area. Would love to explore that area a little more as my grandparents lived in Maroubra when I was very little. You used to be able to see all the way to the ocean from Malabar Road – it was just sand dunes…
What would you like to see improve in the eastern suburbs?
Definitely the parking! I feel like I’m always looking over my shoulder for the ranger!
Favourite Local Shop?
I love Orchard St. I can’t go past the delicious treats and all the beautiful gifts. I also buy my Ayurvedic blends, tinctures & teas from there. They have a fantastic range to suit every body – especially women & our hormonal fluctuations!
Favourite wet weather location?
Home, on the couch, watching a movie with my fellas, eating chocolate icecream
Favourite Local family Weekend Activity?
Early morning walk on the beach with my hubby, watching Johnnie surf.
Then onto Bondi Farmers Market for a brunch of dumplings and falafels. Yum!
Work or SAHM?
Both. Through our son’s early years my work took a bit of a backseat. I guess I was primary carer as my husband worked such long hours. I feel very fortunate to have spent so much time with Johnnie as he was growing & developing.
Now I’m most definitely working – Bondi Kids Drama is my youngest baby.
Motherly advice?
Join a mothers group! I feel so lucky to have had two mothers groups – one I met through the Early Childhood Centre & another through the wonderful yoga studio Dharmashala. All these women are my closest friends. I love them to death! And our kids are all still great mates. I cannot imagine raising a baby without that incredible network of fabulous women. We all knew we could rely on each other for support and guidance – and that occasional glass of wine with a whole lot of laughter!
Happy, healthy, resilient kids are the future of our world!
Instagram: @bondikidsdrama
Facebook: Bondi Kids Drama
