COUNCIL PUSHES POOL SAFETY FOR SUMMER
With warmer months upon us, Penrith City Council is encouraging residents to check that their backyard pools, including inflatable and portable pools, are safe, secure and compliant.
Penrith Mayor Todd Carney said pools are a great way to enjoy the season, but they come with serious responsibilities.
“Pools offer fun and relief from the heat, but they can quickly become dangerous if safety measures aren’t in place,” Carney said.
“We’re asking residents to take a few minutes to check that their pool is secure by ensuring there is a compliant child-resistant
barrier preventing children from accessing the water unsupervised.
“Active adult supervision is the best defence against drowning, but a compliant pool barrier adds an essential layer of protection.”
“ACTIVE ADULT SUPERVISION IS THE BEST DEFENCE”
Council’s qualified Compliance Officers are available to assist residents with pool inspections and certification.
Portable and inflatable pools carry the same safety risks as permanent pools. If a pool is deeper than 30cm, it must be properly fenced. Additionally, any pool with a capacity over 2,000 litres requires development approval before installation and filling.
Council can issue on-the-spot fines of $550 for propped-open gates or unfenced pools.
TO HELP PREVENT CHILD DROWNING:
• Install and maintain a compliant child resistant pool barrier.
• Always supervise children around water.
• Teach water awareness and swimming skills.
• Learn CPR – any attempt is better than none.
For more information, visit penrith.city/pools or contact Council’s Swimming Pool team on 4732 7864.
PREMIUM LAND IN ORAN PARK
Western Property
CONTACT AGENT FOR PRICE
Upcoming releases in Marian’s Mana, Oran Park
CONTACT:
Oran Park Sales Office
Trevor Homes • 9043 7500
OPEN YOUR EYES TO BEAUTIFUL ORAN PARK
What is so great about this property?
Marian’s Mana is a prestigious master-planned community offering architecturally designed residences in one of south-west Sydney’s fastest-growing neighbourhoods.
Nestled between the Oran Park Town Centre and its many amenities and the proposed Lake Pondicherry precinct, with its
foreshores, boardwalks, cafés and activity spaces, this family-friendly neighbourhood brings the best of both worlds to your every day.
With easy access to Brooking Park, Whiteman Park, DawsonDamer Park and the proposed 10-hectare lake, you’ll always find the perfect spot for a walk, picnic or quiet reading spot, moments from your front door.
Who does this property suit?
Anyone who’s wanting a more relaxed lifestyle, up-market living without many of the chores that comes with premium homes.
Tell us about the suburb this property is in?
Oran Park Town is a master planned development, designed and being built for a thriving community.
Greenfields Development Company began Oran Park in 2010 and its projected to complete the Town in the early 2040s. The Oran Park Town Centre is at the heart of the master-planned development offering residential, commercial and retail offerings as well as substantial civic and community amenities for residents and daily workers. Visit today!
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
Ideal Family Home or Investment operty – Spacious 650sqm Block
This well-positioned property at 4 Panorama Road, fers a fantastic opportunity for rst home buyers and savvy investors alike. Situated on a ous 653 square metre block with 32.2 metre ontage, the home provides ample space for future expansions, outdoor living, or potential development (STCA). With a solid foundation and a central location, this property is ready to move in, or can be eat addition
Nestled in a sought-after pocket of Penrith,
STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING
Strength and Condi-
tioning (S&C) is one of the most valuable tools for developing young athletes. When delivered in an age-appropriate and well-supervised environment, it provides benefits that extend far beyond simply “lifting weights.”
Developing strength, power and speed
S&C creates the foundation for key athletic qualities like strength, power, and speed. A stronger lower body improves sprint acceleration and jump height, while a stronger upper body enhances stability, balance, and resistance to contact. Core strength is especially important, allowing athletes to transfer energy efficiently and move with greater control and precision.
Building tolerance and reducing injury
Youth sport places unique demands on the body. Sprinting, jumping, changing direction, and absorbing contact all require strength. Without it, athletes are
more vulnerable to fatigue, overuse injuries, and slower progression in their sport.
Well-structured S&C builds resilience by strengthening muscles, tendons, and joints, helping athletes withstand the loads their sport demands.
Confidence and skill development
S&C also boosts confidence. Young athletes who feel stronger and more capable are more likely to take on challenges, persist with training, and enjoy their sport. Learning correct movement patterns, such as squatting, hinging, pushing, pulling, and landing, not only improves performance but also promotes lifelong healthy habits.
Mental and social benefits
In a team or group setting, S&C fosters discipline, teamwork, and accountability. Athletes learn to train with purpose, set goals, and celebrate progress, qualities that extend well beyond sport.
Safe and effective
The Experts
HANNAH NORRIE
OnePointHealth 4732 5188
Research consistently shows strength training is safe for youth when properly supervised. The old myth that resistance training harms growth plates has been disproven. In fact, S&C reduces injury risk compared to playing sport alone.
Strength and Conditioning isn’t just about building muscle, it’s about developing better, more resilient athletes. For youth, it lays the groundwork for strength, speed, confidence, and injury prevention, making it one of the best long-term investments in their sporting journey. Book a session with Hannah at OnePointHealth Penrith.
MOVIE NIGHT MAKEOVER!
Father’s Day just went by, and my kids surprised me with a gift I never saw coming. I’m a big movie fan, especially when it comes to Sci-Fi, Action and Horror. They got me a Philips Hue Lighting setup. Philips Hue is an intelligent lighting system that syncs your lights with whatever’s happening on your TV, turning your living room into a colourful space that matches the action.
Hue lights watch the colours and brightness of your TV in real time and copy what’s happening, so the action spills out into your room. An explosion in a movie lights up your walls with orange, or an underwater scene with blue. It’s all about making you feel part of the action, not just
lighting up the room. What do you need to get started?
To sync your lights with your TV, you’ll need a few essentials:
• Philips Hue Bridge: You need this hub to connect your lights to the Hue app. It also helps everything work quickly and smoothly.
• Colour-capable Hue lights: I got a pair of Hue Play light bars, but you could also use the Play Gradient Lightstrip or Hue Signe floor lamps.
• Sync method: You have two main choices:
– Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box: This device connects your HDMI devices, such as Apple TV, PlayStation, or streaming sticks, to your TV. It can handle up to four devices and works with 4K and HDR.
– Hue Sync TV App: Available on select Samsung and LG TVs, this app eliminates the need for extra hardware by analysing the TV’s internal video signal.
The Hue Sync App is showing up on most new TVs. One of mine had it, but not the one in my home theatre. So, I needed the Sync box, which costs about $500. Setting everything up is relatively simple. It took me a couple of hours to install and play with the lighting settings. The results are impressive. Your living room feels like an extension of the screen, with explosions, sunsets and neon lights looking even more vivid. It’s especially cool for gaming or music videos, where the fast colour changes really add to the excitement. Philips Hue is the leader in this category, but there’s other options.
FOOTY FINALS AND YOUR PETS
With the Panthers once again charging into the NRL Finals, excitement is running high across Penrith. Finals footy brings friends, family, sizzling BBQs, and plenty of cheering as we rally behind our team. But while the celebrations are a highlight for us, they can bring hidden risks for our four-legged family members. Pets are often quick to lurk around the food table, hoping for scraps, and the snacks we enjoy can pose serious dangers if they get their
To make sure your household enjoys the finals without an unexpected trip to the emergency vet, here are a few key foods and party hazards to watch out for: Cooked bones (ribs, It may feel natural to offer your dog a leftover bone, but cooked bones are brittle and can splinter. These fragments can cause choking, intestinal tears, or dangerous blockages. Keep rib and chicken bones out of
reach, and never hand them to your dog.
Kebab skewers: The aroma of kebabs on the BBQ is tempting for everyone, including pets. But if your dog snatches a skewer, the sharp stick can puncture the digestive system or cause blockages. Always dispose of skewers immediately and securely.
Onions and garlic: Whether in burgers, dips, or sauces, onion and garlic are highly toxic to dogs and can damage their red blood cells, leading to anaemia. Even small amounts are harmful, so keep them well away from curious noses.
Salty snacks (chips, pretzels): While we love munching on chips during the big game, excess salt is dangerous for dogs. It can trigger vomiting, diarrhoea, tremors, and in severe cases, sodium poisoning.
Remind guests not to share salty treats, no matter how much your dog begs.
Chocolate
and sweet treats: Chocolate is a well-known hazard, but many desserts also contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is toxic to dogs. Ingesting even a small amount can cause seizures, liver failure, or worse. Keep all desserts well out of reach. Grapes and raisins: Fruit isn’t always safe. Grapes and raisins are extremely toxic to dogs and can cause kidney failure. If fruit salad is on the menu, be extra cautious to prevent sneaky snacking. To reduce the risk of accidents altogether, consider keeping pets in a safe space away from the food table during your gathering.
Relax & Unwind
JOANNE
MADELINE MOORE
Boho Astro
@JoMadelineMoore
© Joanne Madeline Moore 2025
AQUARIUS
JANUARY 21 TO FEBRUARY 19
Flirt alert! With Venus and Uranus in two of your relationship zones (plus the Sun and Mercury in Libra) you’re at your flirtatious best as you charm the cynics and dazzle the doubters. (When amorous Aquarians are in charm mode, you’re hard to resist.) Already attached? It’s time to reboot a tired relationship with some good old-fashioned romance. Singles – are you searching for your soul mate? Be on the lookout for a gregarious Gemini or a lusty Leo.
TAURUS
APRIL 21 TO MAY 21
Courtesy of Venus (your patron planet) a problem involving a child, teenager or close friend should start to improve, and many Bulls will feel a creativity boost as well. With the Sun and Mercury both moving through your health and wellbeing zone, find a diet and exercise routine that suits you right here and right now. Unhappily single? Don’t sit around waiting for love to fall into your lap. With Mars visiting your partnership zone, it’s time to be proactive.
LEO
JULY 23 TO AUGUST 23
Calling all Cats – are you making the most of your clever mind? This week the Sun and Mercury activate your communication and education zone. So conversation, passionate debate, informal study, research and creative thinking will take you far. But – in order to avoid misunderstandings – do your best to convey your ideas in a clear and precise way. It’s also a good time to dig deeper into a relationship problem – the answer is waiting for you to find it.
SCORPIO
OCTOBER 24 TO NOVEMBER 22
Courtesy of the Sun and Mercury in your solitude zone, you’re not in the mood to mix and mingle. So keep a low profile this week as you relax, recharge and self-nurture. Plus – with the Moon and Pluto linking up in your family zone – secrets from the past could boomerang back, as some old karma catches up with you. Expect vivid childhood memories to return or the resurfacing of a sensitive issue. Smart Scorpios will clear the emotional debris and move on.
PISCES
FEBRUARY 20 TO MARCH 20
This week’s stars highlight close partnerships, intimacy, secrets, trust issues and joint finances. With Saturn back in Pisces (until February 14) you will make messy mistakes and experience disappointments along the way. But don’t let them deter you from your chosen path. With hard work and a positive attitude, you can turn things around. As writer (and birthday great) Truman Capote wrote, “Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor.”
GEMINI
MAY 22 TO JUNE 21
This week Jupiter squares your ruler Mercury, which can lead to impulsive behaviour and rash decisions. So slow down and think things through before you speak and act. With Uranus visiting your sign, expect the unexpected! A disappointing rejection one day could lead to a welcome opportunity the next. Be inspired by birthday great, singer and actress Julie Andrews (who turns 90 on Wednesday), “When one door closes, another window opens.”
VIRGO
AUGUST 24 TO SEPTEMBER 23
Personal projects and long-term partnerships (of the romantic, platonic and business variety) are highlighted this week. You may get a knock-back as Saturn tests commitment and perseverance, but don’t get bogged down with negative self-talk and constant criticism. Keep the mood upbeat and the conversation uplifting! Your motto for the moment is from birthday great, actress Julie Andrews, “Perseverance is failing 19 times and succeeding the 20th.”
SAGITTARIUS
NOVEMBER 23 TO DECEMBER 21
Jupiter (your power planet) is in your ‘money-from-others’ zone which often coincides with financial luck and a boost to cash flow. But this week – with Mercury squaring Jupiter – any gains could be gobbled up by burgeoning bills, increasing expenses or extravagant impulse buys. So plan accordingly and don’t fritter good fortune away. With Venus visiting your career zone, nurture your connections with work colleagues, clients and/or customers.
HOROSCOPES
ARIES
MARCH 21 TO APRIL 20
This week the Sun and Mercury both activate your relationship and joint ventures zone, so harmonious partnerships and creative projects are highlighted. If you combine diplomacy with dynamism (and Ram charm with a sense of adventure) then you’ll sail through any temporary challenges. Balance is the key. Your motto is from actress Claire Danes (who has Sun in Aries and Moon in Libra), “Relationships are a constant negotiation and balance.”
CANCER
JUNE 22 TO JULY 22
Remember that Jupiter (planet of optimism, growth and prosperity) is visiting your sign, which only happens every 12 years. Between now and June 30 (when Jupiter transits into Leo) it will be easier to initiate positive changes than at other times. So make the most of the opportunities that are around! Your motto is from peace activist (and birthday great) Mohandas Gandhi, “Our greatest ability as humans is not to change the world, but to change ourselves.”
LIBRA
S EPTEMBER 24 TO OCTOBER 23
Librans love to be pampered and preened but it’s time to jump out of your comfort zone and shake up your usual routine! Jupiter is visiting your public reputation zone and Uranus is revving up your adventure zone. Which encourages you to do things differently, as you banish boredom and initiate positive changes. So your motto is from birthday great, political and peace activist Mohandas Gandhi, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”
CAPRICORN
DECEMBER 22 TO JANUARY 20
The Sun and Mercury light up your career zone, so utilise your drive and communication skills to attract opportunities into your world. Then use your can-do Capricorn attitude to take action. Mars (visiting your hopes and dreams zone) reminds you to be proactive and keep setting goals. Preparation is the key. As singer/actress (and birthday great) Julie Andrews observes, “Work hard, apply yourself and be ready. Then, when an opportunity comes, you can grab it.”
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For many strategies, hints and tips, visit www.sudokuwiki.org
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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.
Last week’s solution
Trivia Quiz
Test your knowledge about AFL Grand Finals in this week’s special trivia quiz...
In what year was the first AFL Grand Final played?
During World War II, the Grand Final was moved from the MCG. What venue hosted the 1942, 1943 and 1945 season deciders?
Why was the Grand Final hosted in Perth in 2021?
How many times has a draw
forced a replay the following Saturday?
5. How many points did Carlton trail by at half-time in the 1970 Grand Final, eventually fighting back to win?
6. Who did Sydney beat to win the 2005 Grand Final?
7. Who won the 2024 AFL Grand Final?
