Home & Lifestyle December 22 2023 by Western Sydney Publishing Group

MERRY CHRISTMAS HOME & LIFESTYLE WILL RETURN IN 2024

In the MIRROR

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Crosswords & PUZZLES

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Selling, buying or renting?

9623 4033 | 200 QUEEN STREET, ST MARYS 9834 1044 | SHOP 1/46-52 MELVILLE ROAD, ST CLAIR

PETER DIAMANTIDIS Director | Selling Principal

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FEATURE STORY Western Property

AIRPORT SET TO DRIVE UP VALUE IN LOCAL SUBURBS I

ndustrial property investors who purchase in certain suburbs of Sydney could add significantly to their wealth by the end of the decade, thanks to land values expected to double in some areas. Growth areas across Sydney include the western suburbs of Mulgoa, Luddenham and Orchard Hills along with Cobbitty and Leppington, according to projections from property investment firm Custodian. It notes these suburbs are surrounded by multiple job hubs and have good existing and future planned infrastructure. Nils Miller, Chief Executive Officer of BC Land, agrees. “The development of Western Sydney International Airport is attracting a range of businesses that will create an employment hub in the City of Bradfield, in the Badgerys Creek precinct, that will in turn lead to residential developments nearby,” Miller said.

“The businesses being developed around the new airport started out being centred around aviation, but the area is now attracting a wider set of businesses. “These businesses will employ a range or people and they and their families will require accommodation nearby.”

“THE AIRPORT IS ATTRACTING A RANGE OF BUSINESSES THAT WILL CREATE AN EMPLOYMENT HUB IN THE CITY OF BRADFIELD” Western Sydney International Airport will be the largest logistics airport in Australia and the first in New South Wales with no curfew, with flights taking off

and landing 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It will cater to more than 25,000 domestic flights carrying four million passengers a year and flights are expected to operate as soon as the airport opens in 2026. Bradfield City Centre will be located within the Western Sydney Aerotropolis and is being built on Government land near Badgerys Creek Road, Bringelly. BC Land is developing an industrial hub on 35 hectares at Badgerys Creek. “Work is progressing well with the airport,” Miller said. “As at June 2023, more than 50 per cent of the airport was already built, with foundations poured for the 3.7 kilometre runway and work on the terminal and car park had started. Some 25 million cubic metres of earth had been moved around the site – making it Australia’s biggest earthmoving project. Tunnel boring machines were also in the ground working

on the metro line, which will run from St Marys to the new airport. The site will be connected to the M7 motorway via the M12 which is in planning. “Our own 35-hectare site on Lawson Road and Pitt Street, one of the two access roads to the airport and one of the closest sites to the aerotropolis, is already receiving expressions of interest from partners and tenants. “We already have interest from providers of freight services and logistics along with light manufacturers seeking to service these as well as other aviation services. “These businesses are realising that they can occupy premises for less than half the price they are up for at Mascot airport.” Miller forecast these business developments would soon be followed by residential developments, as people increasingly seek to be no more than 30 minutes from their place of work.

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the western weekender » Friday, December 22, 2023

ORAN PARK

BUY OF THE WEEK Western Property

WWW.ORANPARK.COM.AU TO SEE WHAT IS FOR SALE OPEN FOR INSPECTION Seven days by appointment

ORAN PARK OPPORTUNITY Oran Park began as a vision to build one of Australia’s most liveable suburbs. Today, Oran Park is quickly becoming an address like no other, offering the benefits of contemporary living and an evolving town square that features an array of modern amenities. A vibrant work in progress, Oran Park is continuing to expand. By 2041, the suburb is estimated to be home to almost 250,000 people, compared to the current population of 120,028. As Oran Park continues to grow and thrive, the vision is simple: to be an internationally recognised suburb that sets the benchmark

for quality, master-planned communities. With a community spirit built on inclusion and diversity, the homes and lifestyle are informed by sustainability, health and wellbeing. Australia’s leading architects and town planners have been commissioned to design a suburb alive with urban conveniences. From easy access to transport links and the integration of essential services such as healthcare and education to employment hubs and a modern retail and shopping precinct. To find out more go to oranprak. com.au.

CONTACT Oran Park Sales Office Jeff Webb • 9043 7500 jeff.webb@greenfields.net.au

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Penrith Greater Region and Blue Mountains

Ross & Tracey along with the team at the Penrith Professionals Real Estate would like to wish all their valued clients, past & present, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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We will be back again in 2024 for all your real estate needs.

penrithprofessionals.com.au 02 4725 3100 253 High Street, Penrith 50

the western weekender » Friday, December 22, 2023

NOBODY IN THE WORLD SELLS MORE REAL ESTATE THAN RE/MAX.® OFFICE: 233 High Street, Penrith NSW 2750

127 Wrench Street, Cambridge Park

NDIS

3+ 100A

JUST LISTED

IDEAL FIRST HOME OR INVESTMENT PROPERTY This well-maintained home is ideally suited for family living or investment purposes. In a sought-after pocket of Cambridge Park with 809sqm block. Offering 3 generous-sized BRs, freshly-painted interiors, natural light-filled living room & massive backyard. In an ideal lifestyle location, the property is just a stone’s throw away from the bus stop, walking distance to Kingswood station, schools, shops, parks, and close to Nepean Hospital and only a short drive to Penrith CBD & St Marys CBD.

JUST MOVE IN Inspection: Call Agent

GIZZELLE POWELL M: 0428 934 618 E: gizzellepowell@remax.com.au

28 Orth Street, Kingswood

LITSA MELETI M: 0466 969 164 E: litsameleti@remax.com.au

$220,000 gross rent per annum Potential Gross Rental Yield 25%

Teenage

26 Gadara Drive, South Penrith

3+ Retreat

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It’s your call . . . develop, rent or land bank, whatever you want to do. Situated in the heart of Kingswood, just a walk away to the hospital, station, shops, childcare services, cafes etc. With the upcoming Western Sydney Airport & Nepean Hospital’s expansion you don’t want to miss this one. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity whether you want it rented, to develop or hold for future growth. * INFORMATION ABOUT THE ZONING: Land Zoning MU1 - Mixed Use: (pub. 24-2-2023) Height Of Building: 18m Floor Space Ratio: 3.5:1 Minimum.

JUST LISTED

GIZZELLE POWELL M: 0428 934 618 E: gizzellepowell@remax.com.au

SOLD Very Happy Seller

SOLD Happy Vendor

Good market knowledge and personable

Ultimate professional

“ Working with Gizzelle for the sale of my property was

2+ HOT PROPERTY

• 3 generous-sized BRs, 2 with BIRs • Natural light-filled living room with s/s a/c • Contemporary kitchen with breakfast bar plus ample storage • Main bathroom with separate bath & shower • Internal laundry with 2nd toilet • Well maintained large above ground pool • Spacious front and backyard • Covered alfresco area • Concreted driveway • 758.5sqm block • Shops, schools, cafes and eateries as well as a variety of nearby transport options • Zoned R2, granny flat potential (STCA)

Zoned Mixed Use in the heart of Kingswood Inspection: Call Agent

Sale: $950,000 Inspection: Call Agent

GIZZELLE POWELL M: 0428 934 618 E: gizzellepowell@remax.com.au

Litsa exuded confidence and made my wife and I feel very confident that our property would fetch a premium price. She was the ultimate professional.

fantastic. She is very personable, has great market knowledge and always kept me in the loop. She dealt with any issues or questions in a prompt manner and was happy to walk through the process in great detail with any potential buyers. The photos and video of the property were great and she was happy to do all she could in my tight timeframes. I would be happy to work with her again.

TSARINA M 3/158-160 GWH, KINGSWOOD

– Verified by RateMyAgent

”

– Verified by RateMyAgent

Thinking of Selling or Investing? Please give me a call or SMS Litsa on 0466 969 164

Thinking of Selling, Buying or Investing? Call or SMS Gizzelle on 0428 934 618

31 & 31A Deborah Cres, Cambridge Park 3+2

1+1

19 Platypus Street, Marsden Park

In an ideal lifestyle location, the property is close to Kingswood train station, childcare centres, bus stop, schools, shops, parks, Nepean Hospital and Penrith CBD. MAIN HOUSE: • 3 good-sized BRs • Contemporary kitchen with ample storage • Separate dining • Spacious bathroom with laundry • Cypress pine floorboards • High ceilings • Huge backyard • Double carport • Currently rented APPROVED GRANNY FLAT: • 2 generous-sized BRs, both fitted with BIs • Modern kitchen • Combined bathroom & laundry • Currently rented

JUST LISTED

10kW Solar Panels Plantation Shutters House sold with furniture

Sale: Just Listed Inspection: Call Agent

Ideal for Growing Family or Astute Investors Inspection: Call Agent

GIZZELLE POWELL M: 0428 934 618 E: gizzellepowell@remax.com.au

LITSA MELETI M: 0466 969 164 E: litsameleti@remax.com.au

House & granny Claremont Meadows 4

JUST LISTED

Land area: 612m2 Rental Yield 4.2% approx. Combined rent: $1,300 per week 500m to new metro train station Orchard Hills 500m to M4

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This is your last opportunity to secure a luxury apartment in the prestigious Metro precinct, centrally positioned in the heart of the Oran Park community. Generously sized, this 3-bedroom apartment features ample floor space, sophisticated style and the finest finishes. Built in partnership with the award-winning Allen Jack + Cottier Architects and currently under construction with Richard Crookes Construction, the residence is completed to a high standard with: •

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MONEY MATTERS The Experts

TURNING A NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION INTO A PLAN A

ALEX MCKENZIE Future Financial Services 4704 8585

s we enter a new year, millions of people around the world will make resolutions and hope to stick with them throughout the year. A recent survey indicated that 15 per cent of new year’s resolutions are financial goals. Not surprisingly, most resolutions fail. Two key reasons for this are, we often set ourselves overly optimistic goals that are in reality difficult to achieve and, often our goals are vague with no plan on how to achieve them. The top three financial new year’s resolutions set in Australia are; saving more, spending less, and reducing debt. While these are great in theory, they are too broad and don’t focus on the small and simple ways to achieve these goals. Turning vague broad concepts into SMART goals will significantly increase the chance of being successful. SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timely.

Instead of saving more, a SMART goal would be to save $100 per week. These goals are further enhanced if we can identify why we are saving the money. Is it for a house deposit, a holiday, our children’s education or retirement? Saving $100 per week to purchase a house in 2024 would be an excellent goal. There are some excellent habits

BROKING BREAKDOWN

PRESSURES OF THE SEASON

his festive season is again expected to be more subdued as most Australians show some restraint due to the ongoing cost-of-living pressures and continuing concerns for mortgage holders about interest rate rises. A Westpac survey found about 75 per cent of Australians were pledging to reduce their spending over Christmas, with the average total budget forecast to be $863 per person, including food, decorations, events and presents. Shoppers were looking to use loyalty programs to help save money, according to the Westpac research. “Budgeting is top of mind as we head into the peak spending season with households planning smaller and simpler festivities with the higher cost-ofliving,” Westpac’s Managing Director of Consumer Finance Steve Rubenstein said. “Customers are definitely feeling the pinch.”

Keeping a lid on the spending is probably advisable given the unpredictable economic circumstances. If you are looking to obtain finance for a home or a motor vehicle in the new year, our advice is to cut out as much unnecessary discretionary spending as possible. Reduce credit card debt and limits or close those accounts altogether. Finalise any buy now/pay later type facilities. It’s also a good move to payout and close any shorter-term finance facilities such as car loans and personal loans. If you can, try to use debit instead of credit for your

The Experts

that assist us in achieving these goals. 1. Keep a track of your spending – that way you are able decipher between your essential and discretionary monthly expenses and pinpoint areas where you can reduce spending, increase savings or decrease debt. Try to identify spending that adds little or nothing to your

life and re-direct that to your goal. 2. Save first – Once you have identified how much you can save, put that money aside. Better still, also separate out all non-discretionary spending (money for bills), the remainder is for you to spend. 3. Pay off your credit card debt – Credit card debt is a millstone around our neck. Interest rates are very high, normally around 20 per cent. If you have any additional funds, they should initially be used to repay credit card debt. You won’t receive a return anywhere near 20 per cent without significant risk. Once you have paid off your credit card, you will significantly increase your disposable income. Those savings can be re-directed to your goal. The new year is a great time to reassess your financial situation. When you do so, go one step further than a vague resolution, create a SMART goal.

Stay Informed Visit our website direct to stay up to date with all recent local news

MARK STEVENSON Bell Partners Finance bellpartnersfinance.com.au

purchases. A Christmas credit card hangover is definitely something to avoid as you head into a new year. If you are hosting Christmas lunch this year, make sure you ask your guests to help share the load by bringing drink, salads or desserts. Many families already do this and, in my experience, people are more than happy to share the load. And some just love to contribute! And if you do over commit during the festive season, do not be afraid to reach out to Bell Partners as we can help you find the pathway to get your finances back in shape. We wish all readers a safe and joyful Christmas and a fantastic New Year! See you in 2024!

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www.westernweekender.com.au Friday, December 22, 2023 « the western weekender

SWIM SAFETY The Experts

BE SAFER RATHER THAN SILLY DURING THE BREAK I

JULIE SHELDRAKE Nepean Aquatic Centre & Eva Bory’s Swim School 4730 8900

t really is the most wonderful time of the year – sun, surf, sand, swimming and school holidays! However, we simply cannot afford to become complacent. Royal Life Saving Australia research shows that Australians are twice more likely to drown on a public holiday than any other day of the year. Holiday makers are at highest risk, being 2.5 times more likely to drown due to lack of knowledge and familiarly of the local water ways. Alcohol is a significant contributor to public holiday drowning deaths, and it’s men that are commonly susceptible to a higher risk, with the report showing men are four times more likely to drown than women. Let’s do all we can this summer to minimise the risks. These are my top 10 water safety tips for a happy holiday period: 1. Swimming lessons! Teach children to swim and continue to attend lessons regularly. It may be tempting to drop lessons as life gets busy but until children reach their age related milestones swimming lessons should remain non-negotiable. Be sure to utilise all of the NSW Government vouchers currently available, such as the First Lap and Active Kids Vouchers.

2. Avoid alcohol around water. 3. Check for snags and currents before entering inland waterways and rivers. 4. Know your limits and never swim alone, or when intoxicated. 5. Swim at patrolled beaches between the flags and learn how to spot rip currents. 6. Children under five should be arm’s reach at the beach, at the pool, and in

VOICEOVERS

every other aquatic environment, always and without question. 7. Fence the pool, check and close all gates and make sure they are self-latching and can’t be propped open. 8. Be aware of other household items which represent a drowning risk, i.e. Eskys, inflatable pools, bathtubs, buckets, fishponds, even pet bowls. Children have drowned in less water than a drink bottle can hold. 9. Make supervision of children the priority around all water – delegate a supervisor at all events with the adults talking turns on rotation. Never assume someone else is watching. 10. Learn how to perform CPR and use an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator). Drownings remain a risk at home, where we are often most relaxed and assume nothing bad will happen. Water safety crusader Laurie Lawrence has been in the media this past week reminding home owners to check pool fences and gates, and Royal Life Saving has developed a home pool safety checklist home owners can use to minimise the risks. You can find the checklist at: https://www.royallifesaving.com.au/programs/home-pool-safety/ home-pool-safety-checklist. Wishing you a safe summer with your family.

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the western weekender » Friday, December 22, 2023

HEALTH The Experts

LOSING WEIGHT TO HELP MINIMISE YOUR PAIN O

GEORGIA SMITH OnePoint Health 4732 5188

ften the answer to our injuries is to lose weight. This is a common recommendation from doctors, surgeons and specialists but is a hard one to take on board when it is exercise that hurts our joints. The catch to this is that exercise helps to relieve our pain, we just need to understand what exercise is best for us. Strength training as well as cardiovascular exercise for weight loss will both offer pain relief for our joints as well as benefiting our overall health. In recent research they have indicated that a 10 per cent reduction in body weight will have a 50 per cent reduction in osteoarthritis symptoms and a 40-50 per cent reduction in pain, whereas anti-inflammatories only give a

25 per cent reduction in pain. So what exercise is best when you are in pain? This depends on your area of pain and current health but there are several

different types of exercise to help lose weight as well as offload some of your pain. Walking is a great low impact exercise and is readily available for

everyone to participate in. Choose a particular area that is flat and has even surfaces and be aware of wearing appropriate footwear. Swimming is another

great low impact exercise for people in pain. The water offloads body weight and allows you to work a lot harder than on land without any pain. Simply doing lap swimming to increase fitness and decrease weight is a great way to start an exercise program or a good combination with your land based exercise. Weight loss can be difficult during the Christmas-New Year break. It is OK to enjoy yourself over this period, however the important part is ensuring you remain active and continue with your health habits into the new year. If you are unsure what exercise is best, seeking help from an Accredited Exercise Physiologist will ensure you get the correct program for your particular pain and weight loss goals.

TALKING TECH

IS YOUR INFO EXPOSED?

haveibeenpwned.com. • Work through the tabs, enter your email address, password or phone number and Click the “Pwned?” button. • Check for breaches: The site will search its database and display whether your email, password or phone number has been found in any known data breaches. One of the key features is its Pwned Password service. This service allows users to check if their passwords have been exposed to data breaches. The service provides hundreds of millions of real-world passwords previously exposed in data breaches. This exposure makes them unsuitable for ongoing use as they’re at much greater risk of being used to take over other accounts. If any of your passwords appear on this list, you need to change them. The website benefits are numerous: 1. It helps you become

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aware of your exposure to data breaches. This enables you to take necessary actions, such as changing passwords or enabling two-factor authentication. 2. It educates about the importance of using unique passwords for each account. 3. It provides a valuable resource for understanding the scale and impact of data breaches. Its most important feature is the account monitoring capability. By registering your email address, the website will notify you every time a new breach is detected. You will be sent an email containing details of the breach.

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he holiday season is upon us. With it comes increased online usage, whether it be shopping, social media, or streaming. This also means that the cybercriminals will be more active. Today, I’m going to talk about a website where you can check if your email has been compromised and how to check if your passwords are out in the wild. Have I Been Pwned? (HIBP) is a free website that provides a valuable service to help individuals protect their online identities. It is a website created by cybersecurity expert Troy Hunt that allows users to check whether their email addresses or phone numbers have been compromised in data breaches. The site maintains a comprehensive database of leaked account information from various sources, including companies, organisations, and government entities. Using the website is straightforward. • Visit the website: Go to

The Experts

FREE Quotes Please call Mario 0415 601 033 magwal.com.au | magwalcontracting@gmail.com Friday, December 22, 2023 « the western weekender

IN THE MIRROR with Cassidy Pearce Holidays are the perfect time to experiment with new products

here’s no better time than Christmas and New Year’s to experiment and be a little bit extra with your makeup looks. Whether it’s a sheer shimmer or a pop of colour you’re looking for, here are my top picks for the festive season.

Fenty Beauty Diamond Bomb All-Over Diamond Veil in ‘How Many Carats?!’ Although this is technically a highlighter, the Fenty Beauty

Diamond Bomb All-Over Diamond Veil in the shade ‘How Many Carats?!’ has become known for its versatility. The product provides a unique silver glittering veil with a translucent powder base, making it the perfect addition to the cheeks, body or eyes. Personally, I love using this product on the inner corner of my eyes, and extending it into the crease to add personality and shine to what would normally be a neutral eye look. It’s iconic for a reason, and a must-have for any occasion. Urban Decay 24/7 Moondust Eyeshadow in ‘Space Cowboy’ In an article about glitters, I can’t bypass the cult classic Urban Decay 24/7 Moondust Eyeshadow in the shade ‘Space Cowboy’.

A high-performance, vegan eyeshadow packed with microfine eye glitter for the most sparkly, supercharged colour and shimmery finish possible, the product promises to last for up to 16 hours, meaning it won’t fade away or smear over the course of your night out. This shade is notoriously difficult to get your hands on, but, if you can pick it up, it might be worth putting the product to the test. The only downside for me is the price, which sits at $38 for a single eyeshadow. ColourPop Super Shock Eyeshadows If you’re on a budget, you can’t look past ColourPop’s Super Shock Shadows. The formula on these ones is slightly different to other glitters, in that it’s a cream

Did someone call for stress-free + merry holidays? Happy kids equal happy parents with Novotel Sydney Darling Square’s exclusive Kids Club! From 16 December 2023 to 28 January 2024, hotel guests with children aged 15 and below can enjoy an array of play activities, movie nights, complimentary meals and more. Wine down worry-free! ²ƧƊȁ ɈǘƵ ©ª ƧȌƮƵ ɈȌ ˛ȁƮ ȌɐɈ ǿȌȲƵ‫خ‬ ȌȌǲ Ɗ ȺɈƊɯ ƊȁƮ ǿƵȁɈǞȌȁ ٗ§ƊȲȲƊ yƵɩȺ٘ ɈȌ ȲƵƧƵǞɨƵ Ɗ ǏȲƵƵ ǐǞǏɈ ɐȯȌȁ ƧǘƵƧǲٌǞȁ‫*ث‬

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the western weekender » Friday, December 22, 2023

to powder formula. It has a unique bouncy texture that produces a long-lasting, high shine finish. The shade ‘Ritz’ is supposed to be a great dupe for Urban Decay’s ‘Space Cowboy’, or you can look into their Super Shock Highlighters for even more shine – my favourite is ‘Flexitarian’. Before you purchase one of these, just note that they can be a little bit tricky to store – the soft texture makes them easily breakable (but just as easy to squish back together), and the

unique formula makes them prone to drying out. However, they really are beautiful, especially for the price. GXVE BY GWEN STEFANI Eye See In Sparkle Clean Multi-Dimensional Glitter Eyeshadows If a loose glitter is what you’re after, look into the GXVE BY GWEN STEFANI eyeshadows. Despite being a little more of a unique pick, this product has clocked up 4.5 stars from over 100 reviews on the Sephora website. Coming in three shades, ‘Twinkle’, ‘Glimmer’ and ‘Dazzle’, these eyeshadows are loaded with multifaceted crystal pigments for an eye-catching, dimensional finish. Though these are advertised as being able to be used without a glitter glue, I’d have one on hand just in case.

PET HEALTH The Experts

THE NOT SO FUN SIDE OF FIREWORKS DISPLAYS F

KELLIE TICKNER Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital 4736 2027

ireworks may make us humans happy and excited but the same isn’t true for our furry friends. Just like thunderstorms, the loud, unexpected noises of fireworks can cause our pets extreme distress. It’s therefore important to create a safe, calm environment for them. This will prevent them from hurting themselves or becoming lost in panic. Prepare: Know when the fireworks night will commence and ensure your pet is in a safe and secure place a few hours before they start. Ensure your pet is exercised and well fed before the fireworks begin as this may help them de-stress, and be more inclined to nap once festivities begin. Create a safe place: Pets can have a ‘flight’ response to unexpected noises, sometimes ending up kilometres from home in their panic. Because of this, pets should be kept indoors whenever

them, and reward calm behaviour with positive playtime and treats. A treat filled kong toy or filled Kong or favourite toy is a great distraction.

possible, including rabbits and guinea pigs. Creating a calm, secure area for your pet inside your house will also help them feel protected. Close the curtains and put familiar bedding in a small, confined hiding place. A laundry or bathroom is ideal. Otherwise, allow your pet to be with you while you play music or turn the television on to cover the sounds. (NOT the fireworks). Speak to your veterinarian early: If you are concerned about how your pet will cope, speak to your veterinarian early! Shortterm medications may help your

pet but supervision is still recommended. Monitor for signs of stress: Staying home with your pet will help them feel comforted. If this isn’t possible, try to arrange overnight boarding at a kennel or veterinary hospital. When the noises begin, keep an eye out for subtle stress signs. Dogs may lick their lips, yawn or begin panting. Other signs may include vocalisation, heavy panting, shaking and shivering. If your pet does show signs that they are frightened, never raise your voice or punish him. Speak softly, stroke them, try to distract

Microchip and collars: If your pet does manage to escape, keeping microchip and registration details up-to-date is vital. A collar with identification is also a good idea Locating a lost pet: Losing your beloved fur baby can be devastating. If you have lost your pet, contact your local veterinarians, Penrith City Council Animal Rangers, Hawkesbury Companion Animal Shelter and the various lost and found Facebook groups in the area. For more information about making this Christmas and New Year fireworks season less stressful for your pet, phone the team at Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital on 4736 2027. See you in the new year!

Get the care your pet deserves at Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital! At Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital, we understand that your pet is a cherished family member. That’s why we offer comprehensive and affordable pet care services to animals across the Penrith district. We offer: • Vaccinations • Radiography • Microchipping • Surgery • Dental care • Ultrasound

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Friday, December 22, 2023 « the western weekender

PET OF THE WEEK Relax & Unwind

my name: Kenda my proud owner: Brad Wright i live in: Castlereagh a bit about me: Kenda is a five-month-old

Labrador who his owners hope will grow up to join the Nepean Therapy Dog Team. Kenda is a typical lab pup at the moment who loves getting into mischief. Kenda loves playing with her sister Argo, chasing sticks, balls and has a pet plushed crocodile. Email Cassidy.Pearce@westernweekender.com.au with your favourite picture of your pet, and include your name, pet’s name, suburb and a blurb about your favourite furry friend.

NEW YEAR’S EVE SUNDAY 31 DECEMBER 2023 | 6.30PM-10PM

quee r a M e h t r e und

The Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains is hosting the ultimate family-friendly New Year’s Eve bash amidst the mountains!

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FOOD STALLS | KIDS ACTIVITIES | LIVE MUSIC FIREWORKS ON THE BIG SCREEN Enjoy a range of international food stalls and delights, live music, entertainment, a magician, face painting, kids play zone and more! A night of fun for all ages.

Don’t miss out on an unforgettable celebration!

1 Sublime Point Road, Leura, NSW, 2780, Australia | Tel: +61 2 4785 0000 | Email: reservations@fairmontresort.com.au | www.fairmontresort.com.au

the western weekender » Friday, December 22, 2023

SCAN QR CODE TO BOOK

52294

ADULT $85pp | KIDS 12-17yrs $59pp | CHILDREN 5-11yrs $45pp LITTLE ONES 0-4yrs Free

HOROSCOPES Relax & Unwind

JOANNE MADELINE MOORE Boho Astro bohoastro.com @JoMadelineMoore © Joanne Madeline Moore 2023

AQUARIUS

PISCES

ARIES

JANUARY 21 TO FEBRUARY 19

FEBRUARY 20 TO MARCH 20

MARCH 21 TO APRIL 20

The Sun-Saturn connection favours keeping the traditional parts of Christmas. Plus (being an avant-garde Aquarian) you can also add some innovative new festive flourishes of your own. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you enjoy Xmas Day to the max. With Venus visiting your networking zone, you’ll feel extra gregarious on New Year’s Eve. You may surprise yourself – and others – by performing some late night funky moves on the dancefloor!

With Venus and Neptune activating your sign, you’re in the mood for a magical, musical and fantasy-filled Christmas week. On Friday you’ll seek out meaningful connections, as Venus and Pluto deepen your feelings and increase your empathy for other people. But a work matter could leave you feeling disappointed or confused. Home is where the heart is on New Year’s Eve, when many Pisceans will enjoy a quiet night at home with family and friends.

The Full Moon (in your domestic zone) favours traditional Christmas celebrations, surrounded by close family and/ or long-time friends. Then the Moon’s in gregarious Leo for most of New Year’s Eve, which is fabulous for socialising and partying. So make sure you enjoy yourself to the max! However, with Mercury Retrograde and Neptune squaring Mars, be careful you’re not viewing people (and situations) through ridiculously rosecoloured glasses.

TAURUS

GEMINI

CANCER

APRIL 21 TO MAY 21

MAY 22 TO JUNE 21

JUNE 22 TO JULY 22

Prepare to be in a fabulously festive mood, as you let your hair down and enjoy the Yuletide celebrations. But, if you eat and drink and party too much on Christmas Day, then you’ll be a grumpy Bull on Boxing Day. You could feel surprisingly sentimental on New Year’s Eve when you look back over the highs and lows of the closing year. It’s time to let go of the past, as you happily move on to greener and more productive pastures in 2024.

Choose your words wisely this Christmas as your ruler Mercury reverses through your relationship zone, which could stir up an old family grievance. If you’re not careful, you could blurt out the wrong thing to the wrong person at the wrong time! On New Year’s Eve, you’re in the mood to mix and mingle and party to the max. But – once again – you’re also inclined to make insensitive comments. So think before you speak and try to be at your diplomatic best.

It’s Full Moon week so avoid getting carried away and overdoing the festive celebrations, especially eating, drinking, and partying. If you pace yourself, then you (and your sensitive digestive system) will enjoy Christmas Day even more. Simple meals – in small amounts – is the smart and sensible way to go. New Year’s Eve will be an emotional night for sentimental Crabs as you look back over the past year, including your successes and failures.

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

JULY 23 TO AUGUST 23

AUGUST 24 TO SEPTEMBER 23

S EPTEMBER 24 TO OCTOBER 23

Lively Lions love the social side of Yuletide celebrations. Don’t be all talk and no action though. Make sure you’re pulling your weight (with preparations and cleaning up) otherwise you’ll be in the bad books on Boxing Day. Cats thrive on excitement and hate it when life gets too predictable and humdrum. Things certainly won’t be boring on New Year’s Eve, when vivacious Venus (in your entertainment zone) revs up the New Year party atmosphere to the max!

Your ruler Mercury is moving backwards, so don’t worry if your carefully made plans are messed up this Christmas. Try to keep things in perspective. It’s OK if the food, presents, decorations and celebrations aren’t 100 per cent perfect. As birthday great Quentin Crisp wisely observed, “Treat all disasters as if they were trivialities, but never treat a triviality as if it were a disaster.” Aim to celebrate New Year’s Eve with your favourite relatives and friends.

You’ll need to be extra diplomatic if you want to avoid a fraction too much friction on Christmas Day. With Mercury still retrograde, communication mix-ups are likely so tread carefully. With Venus in your neighbourhood zone on New Year’s Eve, the focus is firmly on local community celebrations. Attached Libra – make sure you lavish your lover with plenty of extra TLC. Unhappily single? Look for a partner who has a generous nature and strong self-esteem.

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

OCTOBER 24 TO NOVEMBER 22

NOVEMBER 23 TO DECEMBER 21

DECEMBER 22 TO JANUARY 20

Joyful Jupiter is transiting through your partnership zone so strive to be more generous towards loved ones, as you view a troubled relationship from a more philosophical perspective. Your Christmas motto is from birthday great, singer-songwriter-activist Annie Lennox, “Make kindness your daily modus operandi and change your world.” With Venus visiting your sign, New Year’s Eve is all about socialising with loved ones and having fun.

With Mars and retrograde Mercury visiting your sign, there’s a tendency for you to overdo things. So some Sagittarians will have trouble getting started on Boxing Day, when your body reacts to all the rich treats and alcoholic beverages you enthusiastically consumed on Christmas Day. And you’ll certainly be in the mood to party on New Year’s Eve as you shake out your dancing shoes, shimmy into your favourite party gear, and turn the music up loud!

Steady Saturn helps to stabilise and conserve your energy throughout a long and hectic Christmas Day. Then you’ll be able to enjoy the Yuletide celebrations … without feeling totally exhausted by bedtime! Many Capricorns will spend a low-key New Year’s Eve at home, as you reflect on 2023 and look ahead to 2024. So your motto for the week is from birthday great, writer Henry Miller, “One’s destination is never a place but rather a new way of looking at things.”

Volunt eer opport unities now availab le !!! Get your paws dirty and jump in with all four feet!!

Apply at www.dingoden.net/volunteer

PROUD MEDIA PARTNER

There are a variety of different roles at Dingo Den Animal Rescue where all experiences and skill sets are valued. From den keeping and rescue through to administration, fundraising and event coordination we have something for everyone!!

Friday, December 22, 2023 « the western weekender

48453

If you have a passion for animals and the environment then come and join our team of dedicated volunteers to truly make a difference

Relax & Unwind DESTINATION P&0 Cruises Pacific Explorer

WORDS

Nathan Taylor

IMAGES Nathan Taylor & Supplied

MORE INFO

NOT A DULL MOMENT T

here are holidays. And then there are holidays that you can’t stop thinking about. That’s exactly how I’m feeling several weeks after disembarking P&O Cruises’ Pacific Explorer. As an international traveller since my early 20s, I’ve done some epic trips in my life. From the pyramids in Egypt to the remote wilds of Lapland, I’ve been fortunate to see some of planet Earth’s most incredible sites over the past 15 years. However, while all those adventures hold a special place in my heart, my recent voyage on the Pacific Explorer was right up there in terms of memorable experiences. Now, to start with, this wasn’t your average cruise. Let me explain. My cruise from Auckland to Melbourne (yes, you read that right) didn’t stop at any ports along the way, tenders weren’t required at all – it was just five glorious days at sea. I sailed on what the cruise lines call a ‘repositioning cruise’, which is where the embarkation port and disembarkation port are different. To my surprise, the ship was completely sold-out – with passengers preferring P&O ferry them one-way across the mighty Tasman instead of one of the major airlines.

An aerial shot of the incredible P&O Pacific Explorer ship.

“P&O ARE THE EXPERTS IN HAVING A GOOD TIME”

fusion flavours at Dragon Lady, and just about everything under the sun at The Pantry. But one of the highlights for me was the seven-course degustation I enjoyed courtesy of one of Australia’s most well-known chefs. I like to consider myself a bit of a foodie, so when I discovered celebrity chef Luke Mangan had a restaurant partnership with P&O Cruises, I couldn’t contain my excitement! Not only does he have a specialty restaurant – simply known as Luke’s – on board with picturesque views of the ocean and stunning pool deck, the 53-year-old also has an exclusive fine dining experience called A Taste of Salt. Created by the Sydneysider, this perfectly paired degustation featured signature dishes and fine wines picked by the man himself. Only available to a small group of guests each night and located in a private dining room inside of Waterfront, A Taste of Salt is a must-do for people that like the finer things in life – like me! If you’re a bit of an adrenaline junkie and enjoy testing your limits, the Pacific Explorer has plenty of experiences to scratch that itch. At the P&O Edge Adventure Park, guests of all ages can dabble in rock climbing, zip down the flying fox, be like Jack and Rose in the Titanic Experience, or even Walk the Plank – like I found myself doing. Yes, just like the classic pirate ships of yesteryear, the Pacific Explorer has a narrow plank that you can walk down (all harnessed up, of course) and pretend your Captain Jack Sparrow as you overlook the spectacular ocean beneath you. I was talking about memorable moments earlier, and Walk the Plank is a prime example of doing something out of your comfort zone. It made for great photos too! Another unforgettable moment for me was

Yes, obviously a plane would get you to your destination a lot quicker, but does a plane have a spa, casino, or Bob Downe? The beauty about having no ports of call is that you’re able to enjoy every aspect of the ship to its fullest, and I sure as hell did that! P&O are the experts in having a good time, so there wasn’t a moment on my five-day cruise that I wasn’t having an absolute ball. From partaking in Disney-themed trivia with a bunch of strangers to a cocktail making class and a spot of late-night karaoke, I was well and truly in my element on this ship. One of my favourite things about travelling is trying out new restaurants and bars. To my delight, Pacific Explorer had a whopping six restaurants and countless bars on board to satisfy even the fussiest of travellers. I was spoilt for choice with the ship’s range of everyday dining venues including Modern Australian fare at Waterfont, Italian dining at both Angelo’s and P&O Trattoria, exotic Asian

Nathan Taylor walking the plank.

The Pantry has plenty of sweet treats.

The pool deck is a great place to relax on the P&O Pacific Explorer.

the western weekender » Friday, December 22, 2023

TRAVEL

ON BOARD PACIFIC EXPLORER watching legendary Australian comedian and entertainer Bob Downe perform his new show ‘Viva Bob Vegas’, which is an old-style Las Vegas lounge show complete with a swinging live band, burlesque dancers, and sing-along retro classic tunes. I seriously thought Bob had either died, retired, or was cancelled due to the risqué nature of his comedy, but that couldn’t be further from truth with the 64-year-old, played by Mark T r e v o r r o w,

‘The Purple Rabbit’ show is a must-see on the P&O Pacific Explorer.

in absolute vintage form on the cruise ship circuit. He had audiences in the palm of his hand as if it were the early 2000s – honestly, he was brilliant! The activities and entertainment on Pacific Explorer was second to none, and there was truly something for everyone. If you get a chance, make sure you check out ‘The Purple Rabbit’ inside the Black Circus lounge. I won’t give away what this show is about,

A towel animal found in the cabin.

but it is so ‘out there’ that it must be seen to be believed. It’s billed as a ‘five-star evening of mischief, magic and mind-blowing mayhem’ and it’s certainly worth the admission fee. I could easily bang out another thousand words about my five days at sea on board P&O’s Pacific Explorer, but I reckon you should just check it out for yourself. All cruise lines have their own thing that sets them apart from the rest, but one thing I

enjoyed about cruising with P&O was everyone was having fun – at all times of the day. Whether it was the crazy waterslides, awesome themed nights, or the cute towel animals left on your bed, you couldn’t stop smiling – and that, for me, is what makes a holiday so memorable. Fancy some fun? Visit www.pocruises. com.au to find out when Pacific Explorer is sailing next.

the perfect unique experience to enjoy, share or gift

Tucking into a delicious steak at Luke’s on board the P&O Pacific Explorer.

SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCES

Get

Dining at Luke Mangan’s A Taste of Salt restaurant on the P&O Pacific Explorer.

THE PERFect UNIQUE EXPERIENCE TO ENJOY, SHARE OR GIFT

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www.fanplus.com “This was a dream come true thanks to FAN+” Alex, NSW TM

SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCES

EARN QANTAS POINTS Earn 4 qantas points per $1 spent

Friday, December 22, 2023 « the western weekender

IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK

STARTING FROM A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS 69 York Road, South Penrith | 1300 122 263

Crossword brought to you by Abcoe

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Crossword FOOD & CLEARANCE

ACROSS DOWN 1. Actor, ... Alda 1. Curved doorway 15 16 4. Tetanus 2. Great artery 8. Sandal or boot 3. Small chunk 11. Spirit contact board 4. Ewe’s off spring 20 13. Hippopotamus 5. Prickly desert plant 15. Carbohydrates 6. Collection sold 28 together (3,3) 17. Young bear 7. (To) which person? 18. Deserves 8. Health spring 20. Punch 9. Throng 21. Monastery superior 10. Straightforward 24. Feebler 35 12. Physicist, ... Newton 27. Sunlit time 14. Danger 28. Tibet’s ... Lama 16. Assistants 30. Attractively plump 19. Irritating complainers 31. Distance runner 22. Squabble 33. Entranceway 23. Preoccupy 34. Hindu shrine 25. Alters (text) 35. Russian emperor ALL PRODUCTS 48 26. Engage 36. Slash 29. Misappropriation 39. InsincereAVAILABLE (smile) 32. Journey stage 42.IN-STORE Colloquial saying & ONLINE 35. Alerts (4,3) 44. Next in line 37. Real estate broker 45. Smooths (wood) Expensive exclusive 46. Harvard’s rival ABCOE CENTRE | 6938. York Road,&South Penrith NSW 2750 (4-3) 48. Use up (money) 40. Secludes 57 58 49. Texan cattle farm 41. Regatta entrant 50. Positive votes 42. Simpleton 52. Ache 43. Female horses 54. Sunset direction 44. Oodles 55. Army pathfi nder 67 47. Pasta meal 56. Humanitarian, Mother 51. System ... 52. Formal-wear jacket 57. Go hungry 72 53. Evolved into 60. Taunt 54. Metal-fusing 62. Unequal 79 tradesman 65. Cultivated plot 58. Uselessly, to no ... 67. Stamp book 59. Margarine container 69. Fact 61. Chasm 70. All 63. Poke 72. Nothing 86 64. Home-grown 73. Council vehicle yard 65. Clogged (up) 75. Length measure 66. Turn inside out 77. Common computer 68. Peru beast port type (1,1,1) 71. Tatters 79. Resonant bell sound 72. Non-coms (1,1,2) 81. Large information technology company 74. Thank goodness! (1,1,1) 76. Recounted 82. Pay increase 78. Toot 84. Irish author, ... 80. Catch (thief) Binchy Voice publicly Previous solution83. - Tough 85. Ancient language 86. Wound 3 with5knife 4 8 9 6 7 87. Exercised (infl uence) 1 3 4 5 2 9 7 8 6 88. Invitation footnote 2 1 6 7 8 9 (1,1,1,1)

7 EACH

CLEANING & PACKAGING

r8ts.com

1300 122 263

8 9

4 5

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OPEN 7 DAYS TO THE PUBLIC

5 8 3 6 7 1 4 6 9 3 1 7 4

catholiccemeteries.com.au enquiries@catholiccemeteries.com.au

Medium

Previous solution - Easy

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7 6 5 9 3 8 1 4 2

3 1 2 6 7 4 9 5 8

6 7 3 1 5 9 2 8 4

5 8 4 3 6 2 7 9 1

9 2 1 4 8 7 5 6 3

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4 3 8 5 9 1 6 2 7

Warmly invites yo to join us for

6 3 1 4 7 INTERFAITH REME 2 Warmly invites you and y Sunday, 17th D 7.30pm, St Mary’s 9 To complete Sudoku, fill the us for to join our sp board by entering numbers 1 to 9 that each row, column and 5 such 3x3 box contains every number uniquely. 2 For many strategies, hints and tips, visit www.sudokuwiki.org 9 1

How to beat Str8ts – Like Sudoku, no single number can repeat in any row or column. But... rows and columns are divided by black squares into compartments. These need to be filled in with numbers that complete a ‘straight’. A straight is a set of numbers with no gaps but can be in any order, eg [4,2,3,5]. Clues in black cells remove that number as an option in that row and column, and are not part of any straight. Glance at the solution to The solutions will be published here in the next issue. see how ‘straights’ are formed.

the western weekender » Friday, December 22, 2023

2 4 6

7 1 4 3 2

No. 677

4 2 3 6 5 8 2 3 5 6 4 9 8 2 3 7 5 Last 5week’s 6 7 solution 1 2 6 7 8 9 4 3 1 7 5 6 8 9 1 2

SUDOKU

9 1

Sudoku brought to you by Catholic Cemetries + Crematoria

edium

PARTY

If you like Str8ts check out our books, iPhone/iPad Apps and much more on our store.

To remember th during 2023 a

INTERFAITH REMEMBRAN

Presided by Bish With live music

After the service, please jo

Word Search brought to you by Recycle Waste Solutions recyclewastesolutions.com.au | 9030 5999 25 Bromley Road, Emu Plains

Theme: NOAH’S ARK ANIMALS DAUGHTERS DOVE ELEPHANTS ENOCH FAMILY FLOOD FORTY DAYS FORTY NIGHTS GENESIS GIRAFFE HUSBAND INSECTS JAPHETH JERUSALEM KANGAROOS KOALAS LIONS MAMMALS METHUSELAH MT ARARAT OLIVE LEAF POPULATE RAINBOW RAINING RAVEN RIGHTEOUS SNAKES TORAH

Last week’s solution

Trivia Quiz

49239

Test your knowledge about the ‘Back to the Future’ films in our special trivia quiz this week...

1. At the very beginning of the trilogy, what time did Marty leave Doc’s laboratory? 2. What song did Marty and his band play for the dance auditions? 3. What are the names of Lorraine’s parents? 4. What type of car is the time machine?

PN52154

Find all the words listed hidden in the grid of letters. They can be found in straight lines up, down, forwards, backwards or even diagonally.

L E S P U M S O O R A G N A K I V A B Q M T G E N E S I S L O O L S S T N A H P E L E Y M N D A U G H T E R S O A H A E S U O E T H G I R A N A G D T S T K R C M R S F I R N M Y H J E R U S A L E M O I A O T U G P I O D A J A T N E L T R S I S V N M N L A I A I N A O E R F E M S S A A P V L I O F L A A A K D E R B E H N U H C A F M K O A A C L S B E S P U H F I O S V N E T O U Q T R O E E L G E V A S W S W H G H C P F Y N M F O R T Y N I G H T S 5. How many children do Marty and Jennifer have? 6. In the first movie, what brand of pizza did Lorraine bring to the McFly house in 2015? 7. What kind of gun did Marty use in ‘Back to the Future III’? 8. What was the Vice Principal’s name at Hill Valley High School?

ANSWERS 1. 8.25am 2. ‘Power of Love’ 3. Sam and Stella 4. DeLorean 5. Two 6. Pizza Hut 7. Colt 45 8. Strickland

Word Search

slushandtunes.com.au Friday, December 22, 2023 « the western weekender

Test Your Brain brought to you by Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital orchardhillsvet.com.au | 4736 2027

TEST YOUR BRAIN STR8TS SUDOK

We won the Pet Care category in 2015, 6 and 2019, and we are looking forward to the 2021 awards presentation!

Medium

6 8

9 1

7 4

3 1 2 4 8 9 5 6 7

7 4

9 1 7

2 4 1

4 2

You can find more help, tips and hints at www.str8ts.com

Hexwords

No. 677

Previous solution - Tough

Str8ts

e are grateful for the continued support d friendship of our clients and their pets.

No. 677

Str8ts, Hexwords & Name the Movie brought to you by Choices Flooring Penrith

Camille and all the staff at rchard Hills Veterinary Hospital wish to hank everyone who voted for us in the 021 Penrith City Local Business Awards.

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7 6

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Name the Movie

If you can’t tell from the photo, drop the letters from the list below into the circles. We’ve given you a head start.

C AT N S M R E E T R I L H E

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your brain sharp in just 30 seconds. Start on the 30-second Keep left with the number given and follow the instructions as you go across. Within the 30-second time limit, challenge beginners have to complete their own challenge, BegInneR

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TIMes By ITself

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1. My first name is Calvin. 2. I’m a hip hop icon. 3. California is home. 4. Weed is my vice. 5. I once did a song with Jess Mauboy. Last week’s answer: CARRIE UNDERWOOD

30-second challenge ansWeRs To 168 - BEGINNER - 69, INTERMEDIATE - 192, ADVANCED - 216.

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the western weekender » Friday, December 22, 2023

www.30secondchallenge.com

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4736 2027

Who Am I?

30 Second Challenge

adVanced

49 Wentworth Rd Orchard Hills

Previous solution: DECK THE HALLS

Orchard Hills Veterinery Hospital