LEVEL UP YOUR WATERING
TAKE WATERING TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH NYLEX
Iconic Aussie brand, Nylex, has launched a new watering accessories range designed to elevate the look of outdoor spaces while offering easy and efficient water usage. With an understanding of current home and landscaping trends, the collection has been created for the style conscious homeowner, transforming necessary watering equipment into a feature they’d want to show.
Architecturally-inspired, the new Nylex range consists of watering essentials including hoses, hose reels and hose carts. Stylish features such as a sophisticated monochromatic palette with contrasting textures and bold streamlined forms, are a significant move away from the bright colours tradition-
ally seen in garden watering accessories.
“For a long time, garden watering products have been purely function-driven, with equipment traditionally hidden away. We’re now seeing a shift towards more visually appealing designs and the new range responds by combining quality performance with a look that homeowners are proud to have on display,” said Paul English, Senior Industrial Designer at Nylex.
“When designing the range, our aim was to approach these products in the way an architect approaches a building.
“We started with simple geometric forms shaped by function, then used colour, texture and material to bring them to life. By stripping
back unnecessary details and focusing on the core features, we’ve created a collection that is both elegant and practical.”
Inge Jabara, horticulture and landscaping expert, says this shift reflects how Australians are living and gardening today.
“Increasingly, gardens are becoming an extension of the home and we’re seeing more focus on cohesive outdoor spaces, which extends from the landscaping right down to gardening tools and equipment,” she said.
“GARDENS
ARE BECOMING AN EXTENSION OF THE HOME”
“For spring/summer 2026 it’s all about functional items that will complement rather than detract from the overall garden aesthetic.
“Depending on the style of your home and outdoor space, we’re seeing fences and garden features in darker moody colours, as well as fresh lighter hues, so to have a range that blends effortlessly into these tones provides a more cohesive look. The new Nylex Retracting Auto Reel with its organic modern casing in either matte black or alpine grey, looks perfectly at home in the garden, on the fence, or attached to a nearby wall.”
The right equipment also makes it easier to maintain essential watering over the warmer months. According to Inge, “If the hose has a home within the garden space and is in easy reach, watering will be much more practical and enjoyable, especially as we head into spring and summer when watering becomes a priority.”
“When selecting watering accessories look for well designed ergonomic, quality products, which are comfortable to use and longer lasting. Your hose should last for years, a retractable hose system needs to be well functioning to make cleaning up after gardening easy, and if using a hose cart make sure it can easily be wheeled up and popped behind some greenery ready for the next use.”
Nylex’s stylish new collection for gardens is available from Bunnings stores nationally and online
What is so great about this property?
Brand-new house with approved granny flat, already rented, offering stylish modern living, functional spaces, and immediate investment income in a highly sought-after location.
Who does this property suit?
Just a short walk to Kingswood Station, shops, schools, cafés,
parks, childcare centres, and local amenities, making daily life convenient and enjoyable.
Tell us about the suburb this property is in?
Cambridge Park is a familyfriendly, affordable Penrith suburb with schools, parks, shops, and excellent transport links, ideal for modern suburban living.
Discover exclusive townhome
living in Oran Pa rk .
Inviting you to enjoy the best of both worlds, Oran Park townhomes combine the space of a house with a back yard and the low-maintenance qualities of apar tment living
You can choose from an exceptional selection of architecturally designed townhomes located near all the town’s popular amenities and most loved at tractions.
Ideal for growing families, downsizers and couples, these distinctive residences of fer excellent value-for-money.
• Spacious, designer interiors
• Landscaped grounds
• Two to five-bedroom layouts
• Private porches and cour tyards
• Family-friendly living areas
• Premium finishes and inclusions
• Tranquil locations
Ready for you to move in, these elegant townhomes are curated for comfor t and practicality. A beautiful lifest yle in one of Au stralia’s fastest growing suburbs awaits.
Arena - Typical example of Oran Park townhomes
The Circuit - Typical example of Oran Park townhomes
Civic Collection - Typical example of Oran Park townhomesB anksia - Typical example of Oran Park townhomes
The ResidencesTypical example of Oran Park townhomes
bene eady rented granny at makes this a fantastic investment with immediate retu
STRENGTH TRAINING FOR CHEER AND GYMNASTICS
Gymnastics and cheerleading demand far more than flexibility and skill, they require strength, power and speed. An athlete’s performance and risk of injury is impacted on their ability to generate power but also control the force produced. That’s why structured strength training is such an important part of preparation for these sports.
For gymnasts, strength underpins almost everything they do. Powerful legs drive vaults and floor routines, while strong upper body and core muscles help maintain control on bars and beam. Cheerleaders rely on the same foundations, explosive lower body strength to jump and tumble and upper body strength for the base to control the flyers. Simple but effective exercises like squats, lunges, push ups and core work build the strength needed to perform skills more efficiently and to a higher standard, decreasing the risk of fatigue or error.
Progressive overload is a training principle where load is gradually increased with demands, prompting continuous adaptation that improves strength, power and speed. This principle is especially important for youth athletes, where
programs should be designed according to their age and ability.
By steadily increasing intensity through heavier weights and volume through additional sets and repetitions, young athletes can safely develop strength while reinforcing proper technique
and reducing the risk of injury.
Training in line with their developmental stage ensures athletes continue to progress while building confidence, and a strong foundation for long term growth in their sport.
Just as important, strength training helps prevent injury. Both sports involve high repetition and impact on joints such as the wrists, knees and ankles. Building stronger muscles around those joints improves stability and reduces strain during landings or awkward movements. When paired with mobility and balance work, athletes become better equipped to handle the demands of training.
Adding strength training to a regular cheer or gymnastics program helps athletes move better, perform with more confidence, and stay safer for longer. Book a session with Hannah, the Strength and Conditioning Coach at OnePointHealth, who brings a background in gymnastics and years of experience.
Tim Webster for Breakfast 5am-9am Weekdays
Chris Smith Across Australia 9am-12 Noon
DESEXING YOUR CAT: A RESPONSIBLE CHOICE
Cats make wonderful companions, but without responsible ownership, they can also contribute to a serious community problem – overpopulation. It’s estimated that in just seven years, one female cat and her offspring can produce as many as 420,000 kittens. That’s a staggering number of unwanted animals, many of whom will end up in shelters or living on the streets.
Desexing – or spaying and neutering – is a simple and effective way to prevent this from happening. Beyond controlling the population, desexing brings significant health and behavioural benefits to your pet.
A desexed cat is:
• Less likely to wander or run away. With a reduced urge to roam, your cat is more likely to stay close to home, lowering the risk of accidents or getting lost.
• Less prone to fighting. Cats that haven’t been desexed may fight over territory or mating
partners. These fights often lead to painful injuries and abscesses, and can even be life-threatening.
• Less likely to contract serious diseases. Fights can spread
mammary cancers in females and testicular cancer in males.
• Better behaved. Desexing can reduce antisocial behaviour, making your cat calmer and more affectionate. It also helps
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), also known as Feline AIDS. Desexing can help reduce this risk.
• At lower risk of reproductive cancers. Desexing can help prevent uterine, ovarian and
prevent spraying or territorial marking inside your home.
For pet owners, desexing is also the more affordable and practical option. A single cat can have 4–6 kittens per litter. Each of these kittens needs to be fed, wormed,
treated for fleas, vaccinated and microchipped – all of which can become expensive very quickly. In fact, it is a legal requirement that all kittens be vaccinated and microchipped before being sold or given away.
The recommended age for desexing is around 4–6 months, ideally before your cat reaches puberty. Local council regulations require cats to be desexed by four months of age unless an exemption letter is provided by a veterinarian. Early desexing is safe, quick, and gives your cat the best start in life.
By choosing to desex your cat, you’re not only helping your pet live a longer, healthier, and happier life – you’re also playing an important role in protecting the wider cat community.
If you’d like more information about desexing, microchipping or registration of your cat, contact Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital on 4736 2027.
Together, we can make a difference.
Relax & Unwind
JOANNE
MADELINE MOORE
Boho Astro
@JoMadelineMoore
© Joanne Madeline Moore 2025
AQUARIUS
JANUARY 21 TO FEBRUARY 19
Are you restless for physical adventure and mental challenges? The New Moon illuminates your travel and education zone, so it’s time to explore, study and experiment! Negotiation planet Venus also encourages you to compromise and hold out the olive branch of peace (especially to a stressed friend or work colleague). Attached Aquarians – don’t put your career before relationships. Singles – you could meet your soul mate while one of you is on holiday.
TAURUS
APRIL 21 TO MAY 21
Venus (your ruling planet) and the New Moon stimulate your daily routine and wellbeing zone, so try to find a nutritious diet and fitness program that you enjoy and will stick to. But there’s the potential for a Sun-Pluto power struggle on Friday or Saturday, with an authority figure, work colleague or loved one. So calm down Bulls, and try to communicate with extra care and diplomacy, otherwise you could overreact and do or say something you later regret.
LEO
JULY 23 TO AUGUST 23
You’re in the mood to talk, text, tweet, publish and/or podcast as Tuesday’s New Moon activates your communication zone. Then on Friday/Saturday there’s a challenging connection between Pluto and your ruler, the Sun. So try to avoid partnership dramas, family squabbles, online arguments and run-ins with authority figures. If you are the person in charge, resist the urge to be bossy and over-bearing. Behaving like a demanding Diva will get you nowhere fast!
SCORPIO
OCTOBER 24 TO NOVEMBER 22
On Thursday the Sun transits into Scorpio and on Friday/Saturday, the Sun squares powerful Pluto, which boosts your temperamental streak and your control-freak tendencies. You may feel like you’re stuck in a self-sabotaging rut or even going backwards. The more stubborn you are, the more challenging things will be. As comedian (and fellow Scorpio) John Cleese observes, “You don’t have to be the Dalai Lama to tell people that life is about change.”
PISCES
FEBRUARY 20 TO MARCH 20
Someone could pressure you to reveal information that was given to you in confidence. Hence your current moral and philosophical conundrum as you ponder, “Is honesty always the best policy’? With the Sun, Mercury and Mars all activating your foreign travel zone, adventure and faraway places beckon, so start planning your itinerary now. It’s also important to keep up to date with your international contacts. Who knows where they will eventually lead?
GEMINI
MAY 22 TO JUNE 21
This week your creativity and peer group zone is being activated by the New Moon and Venus, so it’s a fabulous time to create, inspire, socialise and fraternize. And an exciting new romance or friendship may be just around the corner! Are you single and looking for love? You could be introduced to your future partner via a close friend or a casual acquaintance. The weekend is productive for ticking the to-do list and catching up on a backlog of paperwork.
VIRGO
AUGUST 24 TO SEPTEMBER 23
Tuesday’s New Moon signals a fresh financial chapter. On Friday and Saturday, the Sun/Pluto square could stir up trouble, especially at work or within your neighbourhood. A double dose of diplomacy is required if you want to keep the peace. The focus is on long-term relationships. How to nurture them, keep them … and then let them go if you have outgrown each other. Enjoyable mutual interests are essential to satisfying romantic and platonic relationships.
SAGITTARIUS
NOVEMBER 23 TO DECEMBER 21
Tuesday’s New Moon is the perfect time to revise, reassess and reboot your Sagittarian hopes, goals and dreams. Think of creative ways you can navigate the unpredictable economic landscape, adapt professionally and pivot personally. Taskmaster Saturn encourages you to be more responsible at home and more accountable with family members. If things aren’t going well with loved ones, then it’s time to communicate clearly and cooperate often!
HOROSCOPES
ARIES
MARCH 21 TO APRIL 20
The New Moon and Venus rev up your relationship zone, so you’ll experience the greatest satisfaction if you share your goals and dreams with other likeminded people. Collective collaboration is the key. But you need to think longterm and be patient. Do your best to get the balance right between being creative and being productive; between having inspirational ideas and making practical progress. Resist the urge to be bossy on Friday and Saturday.
CANCER
JUNE 22 TO JULY 22
A fresh start is likely on the domestic front, as Tuesday’s New Moon highlights your home zone. When it comes to relationship issues, are you trying to fix a frustrating situation? Prepare for some resistance from other people (especially your partner or a close friend). Quick fixes won’t work. You need to slow down and think things through in a realistic and responsible fashion. The weekend favours reading, writing and long-term planning.
LIBRA
S EPTEMBER 24 TO OCTOBER 23
With a New Moon stimulating your sign (and Jupiter jumping through your life direction/professional zone) be more proactive about where you are heading. Don’t just sit on the fence and hope that things will magically change. It’s the ideal time to set intentions and make wishes involving personal projects, physical appearance and individual goals. Most of all … enjoy yourself! On Friday and Saturday, friends and finances are a volatile mix.
CAPRICORN
DECEMBER 22 TO JANUARY 20
It’s full steam ahead at work, as Tuesday’s New Moon activates your career zone. However, when it comes to friendships, financial matters or local community connections, things are moving a bit slower. And that’s OK! If you’re a clever Capricorn, you’ll adjust your energy and output to the required pace. Your motto is from birthday great, actress Carrie Fisher (who was born on October 21, 1956), “Sometimes the tide’s in, and sometimes it’s out.”
29.
32.
Connect With Us Online!
58.
59.
63.
64.
66.
68.
71.
74.
76.
78.
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.
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: SQUIRRELS
HAIRY TAIL
HIBERNATE
HINDLIMBS
LEAP
PRAIRIE DOG
PYGMY
SHARP CLAWS
STRONG LEGS
TUFTED-EAR
VEGETARIAN
WOODCHUCK
Last week’s solution
What is the smallest bone in the body?
What is in the centre of a bone?
How many muscles are in the body? 9. How many litres of blood does the body hold?
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 see how ‘straights’ are formed.
