Home & Lifestyle November 12 2026 by Western Sydney Publishing Group

INCORPORATING Western Property | The Experts | Relax & Unwind

QUALITY FAMILY TIME PUZZLES AND COLOURING THE FAMILY WILL LOVE | SEE PAGES 52-55 Western Property

The Experts

ST CLAIR STUNNER AWAITS

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WHAT’S MADDIE COOKING UP THIS WEEK?

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SEE PAGE 48

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the western weekender » Thursday, November 12, 2026

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SWIM SAFETY The Experts

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR MY CHILD TO SWIM? O

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

ne of the most common questions I hear from parents considering swimming lessons for their child is, “How long will it take my child to learn to swim?” Unfortunately, there is no simple answer. Every child is different, and learning to swim is not a skill that is mastered in a few weeks or even a few months. Like learning to read, ride a bike, or play an instrument, swimming is a lifelong skill that develops over time through practice, patience and consistency. My best advice to parents is simple: start early. If you haven’t started yet, start now. Australian experts recommend introducing children to swimming lessons from around six months of age, and children who become familiar with water from a young age often adapt more easily to the swimming lesson environment. In contrast, an older child who has had little exposure to water may find a pool setting overwhelming,

particularly when surrounded by unfamiliar people, sounds and experiences. Building water confidence early provides an important foundation for future learning. In Australia, swimming is an

essential life skill, and drowning remains one of the leading causes of accidental death among young children, particularly those aged between zero and four years. Young children are naturally curious and attracted to water but have little understanding of danger or risk. The ability to turn around after an unexpected fall into the water, reach the pool edge and hold on or climb out can be lifesaving. These are skills that take time to develop and require regular practice, but every lesson contributes to a child’s ability to stay safer around water. While I cannot provide a precise timeframe for how long it will take a child to learn to swim, I can confidently say that consistency is the key. Swimming lessons should become a regular part of a child’s routine throughout infancy, preschool and the early school years. Attending lessons year-round allows children to build on their skills progressively, practise what they have learned and gain confidence at each

developmental stage. Parents should also remember that progress is rarely linear. Children often experience periods of rapid improvement, followed by plateaus or even temporary regression. This is a completely normal part of learning. With patience, encouragement and ongoing participation, children continue to develop their skills over time. Most importantly, swimming should not be viewed as just another extracurricular activity. It is a skill that promotes confidence, fitness, independence and safety. One day, the lessons your child learns in the pool could make all the difference. We offer swimming lessons seven days a week across two convenient locations. If you’ve been thinking about getting your child started, now is the perfect time. Visit www.nepeanaquaticcentre.com.au or give us a call to find the right class for your child. In Australia, learning to swim is one investment that is truly priceless.

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hen the final siren sounds, most of us switch off. After months of training and weekend games, a break is well earned. But the off-season is also your best window to set yourself up for a stronger, safer year ahead. Start with the niggles. That ankle you strapped every week or the tight hamstring you played through rarely settles with rest alone. With no games to get ready for, there’s time to have it properly assessed and work on the cause, not just the symptoms. Small issues left alone can flare up again when training ramps up. Next, rebuild your strength base. In-season, most training goes into skills and match fitness, so the off-season is your chance to go back to basics. A program focused on leg strength, hip and core control, and balance can support better movement and may help reduce injury risk when you return. That doesn’t mean months on the couch. Swimming,

cycling or a gym routine can help maintain your fitness while giving your body a break from the repetitive demands of your sport. When pre-season arrives, build your training load gradually over several weeks. Many of the injuries we see early in the year come from doing too much, too soon.

Recovery matters too. Sleep, good nutrition and staying hydrated through the western Sydney summer all play a part in how your body adapts to training.

The Experts

JARRAH NESBITT OnePointHealth 4732 5188 They’re easy to overlook, but they add up. Every athlete is different, and your age, sport, position and injury history all shape what your off-season should look like. At OnePointHealth, we use VALD force plates to measure your strength and how evenly you load each side. Instead of guessing, your physio works from real data, so your program can be tailored to you and your progress tracked over time. Whatever your starting point, the work you put in now can help you start next season on the front foot. Jarrah is a physiotherapist at OnePointHealth Penrith. To book an off-season assessment, call her on 4732 5188.

s the weather warms up and our gardens burst into colour, many of us enjoy spending more time outdoors with our pets. But while our backyards may be full of beautiful flowers and greenery, some common garden plants can pose a serious, and sometimes life-threatening, risk to our four-legged family members. One plant Penrith pet owners should be particularly aware of is Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (Brunfelsia). Popular for its fragrant flowers, which change colour from purple to white, this attractive shrub is commonly found in local gardens. However, all parts of the plant are toxic, particularly the berries and seeds. Ingestion can cause vomiting, tremors, muscle spasms, seizures and, in severe cases, can be fatal. Dogs are particularly attracted to the colourful berries. Another common back-

yard plant to watch out for is Lantana. Often planted for its colourful flowers, lantana is considered an invasive weed in Australia and is highly toxic to pets. The leaves and unripe green berries contain toxins that can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness, depression and, in serious cases, liver failure. Sago palms are also popular ornamental garden plants, but they are extremely dangerous to dogs. Every part of the plant is toxic, with the seeds (nuts) being particularly poisonous. Even a small amount can cause severe liver damage, liver failure and potentially death. Other plants worth checking around your home include Oleander, where all parts of the plant, including leaves, flowers and stems, contain toxins that affect the heart, and Azaleas, where the leaves and flowers can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness and potentially dangerous heart complica-

RETAIL

HEALTHCARE

INDUSTRIAL

The Experts

FREE ADOBE ALTERNATIVES

rtCraft is a rapidly developed opensource suite of creative applications that aims to offer a free alternative to subscription-based tools. If you’ve ever hesitated at the price of photo or video editing software, you might have seen the buzz about ArtCraft (getartcraft.com). The story behind it is almost as interesting as the software itself. Instead of a team of experienced engineers, AI coding agents built most of the suite in just a few weeks. People are calling this trend “vibe coding.” Seven apps cover the main tools of Adobe’s Creative Cloud. The rest includes a word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, CAD and prototyping. Artcraft’s main attraction is the price. Rather than a monthly or annual subscription, the ArtCraft apps are free, and early users – including many in local photography communities – have praised their speed and range of features. But free comes with caveats.

KELLIE TICKNER Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital 4736 2027 tions. It’s not just outdoor gardens that present a risk. Popular indoor plants such as Devil’s Ivy, Philodendrons and Aloe Vera can also cause problems if chewed or swallowed, including mouth irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting and diarrhoea. Cat owners should take particular care with lilies, as even small exposures to certain varieties, including pollen and vase water, can cause life-threatening kidney failure. If you suspect your pet has chewed or swallowed any potentially toxic plant, don’t wait for symptoms to appear. Contact your veterinarian immediately.

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I installed the equivalent applications from Artcraft and found them intuitive, with no extra learning. The products I used most were PDFCraft, PhotoCraft and FilmCraft, which easily met all my business requirements. Being open source, there is no support. Adobe’s products earn their price for a reason: decades of refinement, proper support, and the peace of mind that comes with a company whose reputation depends on things working. There’s no harm in experimenting, since it costs nothing. Installation is straightforward and the project website has step-bystep instructions.

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These are young apps, weeks old, and users report bugs that mature rivals spent years ironing out, with no helpline to call when things go wrong. Unexpected bugs, security vulnerabilities, or privacy issues may go undetected. Open-source software is generally considered safer because anyone can inspect the code for issues, but not every problem is found right away. Download only from the official website and keep an eye out for updates and community feedback. For casual household use, like tidying up holiday photos, making a birthday card, or trimming a video clip, the free tools may be all you need. I know from a PDF perspective there are a lot of websites that let you edit or convert documents. This means uploading them to a public website. PDFCraft removes this risk. It runs on the desktop and has full edit, split, combine and convert capabilities. From a business perspective, I do use the Adobe Suite.

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TOXIC PLANTS AND YOUR PETS

PET HEALTH

LOAN LOWDOWN The Experts

THE TWO-LEVER PLAN TO CLEAR YOUR MORTGAGE W

ith the Reserve Bank lifting the cash rate to 4.85 per cent this month, more western Sydney homeowners are asking how to get out of mortgage debt faster. One strategy combines two steps: extra repayments, and an investment property bought with the equity in your home.

STEVEN KORNER

Step two: use your equity Most lenders let you borrow up to 80 per cent of your home’s value. For this couple, that frees up about $280,000. They use $180,000 of it for the deposit and costs on a $750,000 new townhouse, borrowing the rest against the property. After 10 years, they sell it and use the profit to pay off their home loan. Buying new matters. Under changes announced in the May Budget, established homes bought after May 12 2026 will lose negative gearing against wage income from July 2027. New builds keep it.

The numbers Rented at $600 a week, the townhouse costs about $1,100 to $1,300 a month to hold after tax refunds. Add the extra repayments and the couple is committing around $2,100 a month. That assumes a higher-yielding townhouse. Gross house yields in Penrith sat closer to 2.5 to 3 per cent earlier this year, so run the numbers on the actual property. The result depends on growth: • 3% a year: about $104,000 still owing on the home loan • 5% a year: debt-free, with about $23,000 to spare • 6% a year: debt-free, with about $96,000 to spare Putting the same $2,100 a month straight into the home loan would leave about $106,000 owing after 10 years. The investment only

comes out ahead if growth beats roughly 4 per cent a year. The risks • Higher interest rates increase holding costs. • Property growth isn’t guaranteed. • Vacancies and repairs add costs. • Total debt rises from $600,000 to about $1.4 million. • A soft market at sale time could force you to hold longer. Before you start Set up investment loans separately from your home loan, keep a cash buffer, and check you could cope with higher rates. Speak to a broker about loan structure and an accountant about tax before you commit. Review your rates and progress at least every six months to stay on track. Steady extra repayments are slower but safer. The equity strategy can work, but it is a bet on property growth.

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The Finance Korner thefinancekorner.com.au

Step one: pay more off your home loan Every extra dollar paid off your home loan, or kept in an offset account, saves interest. Take a couple with a $1.1 million home and $600,000 owing over 25 years at 6.5 per cent. Paying an extra $1,000 a month leaves about $297,000 owing after 10 years, instead of $465,000. Because interest on your own home isn’t tax-deductible, every dollar saved there is worth more than the same dollar earned. An offset account gives the same saving while keeping your cash on hand for emergencies.

The investment loans are usually set up as interest-only, so the interest stays tax-deductible and every spare dollar keeps flowing to the home loan instead.

the western weekender » Thursday, November 12, 2026

HOROSCOPES Relax & Unwind

AMANDA JANE Clairvoyant Medium amandajane-xo.com revivalretreats.com.au

AQUARIUS

PISCES

ARIES

JANUARY 21 TO FEBRUARY 19

FEBRUARY 20 TO MARCH 20

MARCH 21 TO APRIL 20

Work matters that were held up finally start moving forward this week, Aquarius. A decision, offer or conversation with someone in charge brings welcome relief. Stay true to your values and don’t settle for less than you deserve. You’re being seen for all you bring. Toward the weekend, an inspiring idea, course or trip opens your mind to new possibilities.

Your faith in the future is returning this week, Pisces. Plans for travel, study or a new path that stalled can now get back on track. Someone wise may offer just the encouragement you need. Trust your intuition, it’s guiding you well. Toward the weekend, an emotional matter softens, and you’ll feel closer to those you love and more at peace within.

Things that have felt on hold are finally ready to move forward, Aries. A shared plan, money matter or agreement that stalled may get the green light. Trust is being rebuilt, so speak openly and kindly. You don’t need to have every answer right now. Midweek, a quiet moment of reflection shows you what really matters. Toward the weekend, a partner or close friend reaches out.

TAURUS

GEMINI

CANCER

APRIL 21 TO MAY 21

MAY 22 TO JUNE 21

JUNE 22 TO JULY 22

Someone who has been distant may come back around this week, Taurus, ready to talk things through. Listen with an open heart, but stay true to what you need. Old misunderstandings can finally be put to rest. At work, slow and steady wins the race. Toward the weekend, love and harmony return to your closest relationships, and you’ll remember why you chose these people.

Your energy is coming back, Gemini, and work that felt messy or delayed starts to fall into place. It’s a lovely week to tidy up loose ends and get organised. Look after your body too – rest, water and fresh air will do wonders. A colleague could surprise you with their support. Toward the weekend, a relationship takes a sweet and meaningful step forward.

Your heart is opening again this week, Cancer. A creative idea or passion project you set aside may call you back, and this time it flows more easily. Romance and fun are highlighted, so say yes to the things that make you smile. If you’ve been waiting on someone, they may finally make their move. Toward the weekend, small daily changes boost your health and happiness.

@ amandajaneclairvoyant

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

JULY 23 TO AUGUST 23

AUGUST 24 TO SEPTEMBER 23

S EPTEMBER 24 TO OCTOBER 23

A family matter that has been confusing finally becomes clearer this week, Leo. Honest words at home bring peace and help everyone move forward. You may feel inspired to refresh your space or make plans for the holiday season. Don’t rush big decisions – let them settle first. Toward the weekend, joy, creativity and a little romance put the sparkle back in your step.

Messages, calls and paperwork that were held up begin to flow again this week, Virgo. A conversation you’ve been nervous about goes better than expected. Say what you mean with kindness and you’ll be heard. A neighbour, sibling or old friend could bring welcome news. Toward the weekend, you’ll feel more settled at home and ready to enjoy a slower pace.

You’re stepping back into your power this week, Libra. After a period of second-guessing yourself, your confidence and sense of worth are returning. Money matters start to improve, and a purchase or plan you delayed now feels right. Treat yourself with the same love you give everyone else. Toward the weekend, a heartfelt chat clears the air and lifts a weight from your shoulders.

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

OCTOBER 24 TO NOVEMBER 22

NOVEMBER 23 TO DECEMBER 21

DECEMBER 22 TO JANUARY 20

Clarity arrives this week, Scorpio, and you finally know which way to turn. Plans that kept changing begin to settle, and your words carry real strength. Someone may see you in a whole new light. Stay focused on what you’re building rather than what others think. Toward the weekend, a financial matter improves and you’ll feel more secure and supported.

Rest and reflection have been doing their quiet work, Sagittarius, and this week you start to feel lighter. Something hidden comes to the surface, giving you the closure you’ve been looking for. Forgive yourself for anything you’re still carrying. A dream or gut feeling could be spot on. Toward the weekend, your spark returns and you’ll be ready to make exciting plans.

Friendships are warming up again this week, Capricorn. If there’s been tension in a group or with a close friend, it can now be smoothed over. A wish or goal that felt out of reach may suddenly look possible. Say yes to invitations – the right people are waiting for you. Toward the weekend, your career gets a lovely boost and your hard work is noticed.

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Amanda Jane is an internationally recognised Clairvoyant Medium, spiritual teacher, retreat facilitator, and founder of Revival Retreats Australia. With a gift for connecting to the spirit world and over a decade of experience supporting people through healing, transformation, and personal growth, Amanda has built a reputation for delivering heartfelt, accurate, and compassionate guidance.

Thursday, November 12, 2026 « the western weekender

Have a story to share? Send us your news, community stories and photos from across Western Sydney.

Crossword

edium

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

r8ts.com

2 4 3 2 3 5 5 4

Sudoku brought to you by The Western Weekender westernweekender.com.au/digi-subscribe

SUDOKU No. 819

Very Hard

9 9 8 2 4 3 1 7 4 2 7 9 3 5 7 6 2 9 3 5 1 6 2

Previous solution - Tough

2 1 8 5 6 7 4 3 9

8 6 5

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 » Thursday, November 12, 2026

DOWN 1 Candid (5) 2 Commensurate (5) 3 Agave fibre (5) 4 Hellenic (5) 5 Birds’ home (4) 6 Box (4) 7 Indicator in a newspaper report of the author’s name (2-4) 8 Break in school lessons (6) 9 Flywire (5) 10 Small land mass in the ocean (5) 16 Levels (5) 18 Speak with violent language (7) 19 Cleaning cloth (7) 20 Metal fixing (5) 21 /64 Down First moonwalker (4,9) 23 Concerning the religion of Muslims (7) 24 Don’t walk on the grass (4,3) 25 Termite mound (7) 27 Breadth (5) 28 In the judge’s private chamber (2,6) 31 Major blood vessel (5) 32 Ground meat (5) 35 Used for drying the dishes (3,5) 38 Horrify (5) 39 Stories of heroic nature (5) 40 Draw a bead (4,3) 41 Good appetite (7) 42 Jazz piano style (7) 45 Ruler like Julius Caesar (7) 46 Left on the dinner plate (7) 48 Numbers game (5) 52 Fleetwood Mac singer; Stevie ... (5) 54 Pungent (5) 55 Entreaty (4) 59 Symbol (6) 60 Thick-trunked tree native to Africa (6) 62 Minor thoroughfare (5) 63 Relating to mankind (5) 65 Author of Winnie the Pooh (5) 66 Musical beats (5) 67 Nestling boobook (5) Previous solution 68 - Easy /57 across Australia’s 5 7successful 2 1 4 3 most 8 fast bowler (5,7) 3 4 2 1 570 Assistant 6 8 7 (4) 2 3 4 771 U8nbleached 9 6 linen (4)

ACROSS 1 Racecourse on which The Melbourne Cup is run (10) 9 Smile (4) 11 Breathing problem (9) 12 Fully grown (5) 13 Greek god of love (4) 14 Ill-favoured (4) 15 White ant (7) 17 Eighteen-gallon cask (9) 22 Afternoon rest in Madrid (6) 26 Alpine flower (9) 29 Deceptive (7) 30 Sprang (5) 31 Gifts of charity (4) 33 Country house in Russia (5) 34 Words of an opera (8) 36 New Zealand native (5) 37 Ireland, poetically (4) 38 Clearing of the throat to gain attention (4) 40 See 75 Across (8) 43 See 58 Across (3) 44 Pacific (8) 47 Story (4) 49 Couple (4) 50 Wild ass of eastern Asia (5) 51 Ornamental awnings over old beds (8) 53 That is to say (2,3) 54 European mountains (4) 56 Excuse of being in another place (5) 57 See 68 Down (7) 58 /43 Across Big race on the first Tuesday in November (9,3) 61 Complete chaos (6) 64 See 21 Down (9) 69 Rich fabric woven with a raised design (7) 72 Stone fruit (4) 73 Great US Olympic athlete; ... Lewis (4) 74 Fracas (5) 75 /40 Across Powerful Macedonian king (9,3,5) 76 When Harry Met Sally star; Meg ... (4) 77 One country sharing the Aral Sea (10)

4 7 9 1 3 2 8 5 6

5 3 6 4 8 9 2 7 1

3 4 2 9 5 6 1 8 7

1 8 7 3 2 4 9 6 5

9 6 5 7 1 8 3 4 2

6 5 3 2 4 1 7 9 8

7 2 4 8 9 5 6 1 3

8 9 1 6 7 3 5 2 4

NEVER MISS AN EDITION

To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 such that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely. For many strategies, hints and tips, visit www.sudokuwiki.org If you like Str8ts check out our books, iPhone/iPad Apps and much more on our store.

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Wordsearch brought to you by Penrith Jobs www.penrithjobs.com.au

Word Search 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.

THEME: BLUE MOUNTAINS BLACKHEATH BLUE GUM FOREST BUSHWALKING ECHO POINT EUCALYPTUS GLENBROOK GOVETTS LEAP JAMISON VALLEY JENOLAN CAVES KATOOMBA LEURA MEGALONG VALLEY MOUNT VICTORIA SCENIC RAILWAY SCENIC WORLD SPRINGWOOD THREE SISTERS WATERFALLS WENTWORTH FALLS ZIG ZAG RAILWAY Last week’s solution

Test your knowledge about Remembrance Day in this week’s special trivia quiz...

TRADIES YOU CAN TRUST

1. When is Remembrance Day? 2. What does Remembrance Day acknowledge? 3. At what time of day is a minute’s silence observed? 4. What flower is associated with Remembrance Day? 5. In what year did Australia formally proclaim Remembrance Day? 6. What was Remembrance Day

previously called? 7. How many years has it been since 1918? 8. Which World War I poem written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae inspired the use of red poppies? 9. What is the bugle call played during Remembrance Day ceremonies called?

ANSWERS 1. November 11 2. The day honors the end of World War I 3. 11am 4. The red poppy 5. 1997 6. Armistice Day 7. 108 years 8. In Flanders Field 9. ‘The Last Post’

Trivia Quiz

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TEST YOUR BRAIN STR8TS SUDOKU No. 819

Medium

Str8ts

8 7 5

2 1 3 4 2 2 3 4 3 4 5 9 7 8 5 6 7 6 8 6 7

2 5 4 7

1 2 1

9 6

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

Cracking the Safe

6 3 8 2

No. 819

Previous solution - Easy

1 4 8 6 5 7 9 3

4 3 5 7 6 9 7 8 8 6 4 2 2

5 7 8 6 8 7 8 9 6 7 2 4 3 3 2 4 3 5 5 4

8 6 4 2

5 2 9 6

Name the Movie

In order to crack open the safe solve the six digit code. You are given five clues. The letters can be any number between 0-6.

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.

WRADETHILPREAD E Previous solution:

HINTS

One of the five letters is in the right place.

the western weekender » Thursday, November 12, 2026

Who Am I?

One of the five letters is in the right place.

BrainSnack® The Last Word

Previous solution: THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

1. Enter the last word at the bottom of the grid. 2. The symbols show how many letters from the word next to it are or are not used in the last word.

One of the five letters is not used. 3. All letters from the letter list below the symbols, are used at least once in the grid.

Previous solution:

1. I’m known for being rebellious, sarcastic and always getting into trouble. 2. I often tease the popular girl, but there’s more to me than meets the eye. 3. I once said, “Does Barry Manilow know that you raid his wardrobe?” 4. I usually wear dark, layered clothes, have messy hair and don’t care much about following the rules. 5. I spent a Saturday in detention at Shermer High School. Last week’s answer: PRINCE

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Thursday, November 12, 2026 « the western weekender

Maddie’s Meals

Caramalised Cookie Cheesecake A deliciously decadent dessert for anyone who loves cosy caramelised flavours What you’ll need: - Spring form pan - 1 mixing bowl - Electric mixer (handheld) - Measuring spoons - Spatula

Ingredients: Base: - 1 packet Biscoff biscuits – crushed - 1 tsp cinnamon (optional) - 125g melted margarine or butter

Filling: - 3 tubs/packets of cream cheese – room temperature - 1 cup white sugar - 1 tsp vanilla essence - 2 eggs

- 1 bar of Caramilk chocolate (melted) and 1 block Caramilk chocolate (to top) - 2 tbsp Biscoff spread

Method: 1. Mix biscuit crumbs, cinnamon and melted butter together and press mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan. Chill this in the fridge while preparing the filling. 2. Beat cream cheese and sugar with an electric mixer until smooth. 3. Add vanilla and eggs (one at a time), beating constantly. 4. Add in the Caramilk bar and Biscoff spread and mix again until combined. 5. Pour mixture into prepared

crumb and spread evenly. 6. Bake at 150° for 45 minutes. Leave in oven to cool. 7. Check cheesecake is cooked by inserting small knife or skewer into the centre. If the knife is clean, it’s cooked, if not, put back in the oven on low heat and monitor. 8. Once completely cooked and cooled, melt the Caramilk block and drizzle over the cheesecake. Enjoy!

Lasagne, with a glass of Prosecco, Wine or Beer.

$40

Sydney’s Best Lasagne

*Per person. Booking essential.

542 HIGH ST , PENRITH (PARK & ENTER VIA UNION LANE) | PALERMODINING.COM.AU OPEN WEDNESDAY-SATURDAY FROM 5:00PM

the western weekender » Thursday, November 12, 2026

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weekendeFrree THE GREATEST the western

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PENRITH’S #1 NEWSPA PER

TROY DODDS

enrith’s greatest ever period of success has delivered the once struggling club a second straight Premiership and confirmed the Panthers rugby league juggernaut.are an unstoppable It is impossible to argue with James Fisher-Harris’ cheeky claim that this is Penrith team of all-time. They are the best an unpreceden delivering ted sustained period of success and have lost just 10 games three seasons, in the past breaking countless along the way. records Coach Ivan Cleary Nathan have also and his co-captain son entered Panthers tality, creating immorall sorts of history in what one of the greatest Premiership defences was game has ever seen. the Ivan is now the only won dual Premiership Penrith coach to have s with the club, just 24 Nathan while at is on club’s greatest ever his way to becoming the player. But Cleary was overshadowed Final night by on Grand a stunning performanc fullback Dylan e from Edwards, who claimed the Clive Churchill Medal as player of the match. Penrith players and fans partied and hard into long the night after Sunday’s 28-12 demolition of Parramatta. It was a definitive game of this incredible Penrith era and proved the club’s dominance of over the past three the competition seasons. It was billed as the the West in history greatest Battle of but kick-off it was obvious almost from the Parramatta were little chance of stopping a switched Penrith. on Eels fans were barely in their seats by time it was obvious the trophy was stayingthe the foot of the Mountains. at Penrith has emerged from an 18-year drought and near title collapse to now more Grand Final have two wins, and show slowing down. no sign of The scenes at Panthers Leagues Club after the game and at a fan Bet Stadium prove day on Monday at Bluethis over the community Penrith team has won . From Bathurst to cially own the west Blacktown, Penrith offi– the result of hard taking a chance and a playing group work, taken the NRL by that has storm.

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