Home & Lifestyle April 16 2026

RETIREMENT WITH A SIDE

OF GOLF AT OATLANDS

Retirement living operator Levande recently marked a major milestone for its Oatlands retirement village, with a sod–turn ceremony formally signalling the commencement of works on the site adjacent to Oatlands Golf Club in Sydney’s north–west.

The Oatlands development will deliver a premium, purpose–built retirement village comprising 127 independent living apartments across four buildings, along with 13 townhouses, all set within landscaped surrounds close to the Parramatta CBD.

Levande acquired the development rights for the 1.6–hectare Bettington Road site from Mirvac in 2025 and is partnering closely with Oatlands Golf Club as part of the project, including the delivery of a new clubhouse for club members.

Levande Chief Executive Officer Kevin McCoy said the sod turn represented an important step forward for the project and for the local community.

“OATLANDS IS A WONDERFUL PART OF SYDNEY”

“Oatlands is a wonderful part of Sydney, offering an exceptional lifestyle and strong community connections,” McCoy said.

“This sod turn marks the transition from planning to delivery, and we’re looking forward to creating a retirement community that reflects the quality of the location and meets the expecta-

tions of future residents.”

The Oatlands site is well served by public transport and is close to major retail, health and entertainment precincts, including Westfield Parramatta, Westmead Hospital, CommBank Stadium and Rosehill Gardens.

The development adds to Levande’s growing national portfolio of retirement villages and follows a period of sustained growth for the operator, which owns and manages communities across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia.

Western Property

SO MUCH POTENTIAL!

What is so great about this property?

Positioned in a peaceful cul-desac, this well-maintained family home presents an outstanding opportunity for homeowners and savvy investors alike. Set on an R2 Low Density Residential zoning, the property offers excellent potential to add value

with a granny flat (STCA) or even a swimming pool, making it ideal for those looking to maximise rental return or future growth. For investors and those needing space, the property features exceptional parking options including a secure lock-up garage, attached carport, and a high-ceiling covered carport-per-

fect for multiple vehicles, boats, or caravans.

Who does this property suit?

Outstanding opportunity for homeowners and savvy investors alike Tell us about the suburb the property is in?

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living in Oran Pa rk .

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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.

NOW HIRING: EXPERIENCED CONVEYANCER ABOUT US: ABOUT YOU:

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We look forward to hearing from you.

RESISTANCE TRAINING IS A KEY FOR YOUR HEALTH

As the population continues to age, maintaining health, mobility, and independence has never been more important. Resistance training is now widely recognised as a key component of healthy ageing. Involving exercises that work against a force such as weights or resistance bands this type of training delivers benefits far beyond simply building muscle.

One of the most important advantages is its ability to combat age-related muscle loss, known as Sarcopenia. From around the age of 30, muscle mass naturally declines by three to eight per cent per decade, with this rate accelerating significantly after 70. This loss can impact strength, balance, and overall independence.

Regular resistance training can slow, and in some cases reverse, this decline, helping older adults maintain the strength needed for everyday tasks.

Bone health is another major area of benefit. Conditions such as Osteoporosis become more

common with age, particularly in women. Resistance and weight-bearing exercises stimulate bone growth and improve density, reducing the likelihood of fractures and falls.

The benefits also extend to metabolic health. Resistance training improves insulin sensitivity, which plays a key role in preventing and managing Type 2 Diabetes. It can also increase resting metabolic rate, making it easier to maintain a healthy

weight and lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Beyond the physical, resistance training has a positive impact on mental wellbeing. Research shows it can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression while also supporting cognitive function, including memory and decision-making. The release of endorphins and improved blood flow during exercise both contribute to these benefits.

Importantly, resistance training

is both safe and adaptable for older adults when guided appropriately. Starting with light resistance and gradually progressing under professional supervision can help minimise injury risk while building confidence. If you’re unsure where to begin, consulting an exercise physiologist can be a valuable first step. With the right guidance, resistance training can help you stay strong, independent, and active well into later life.

KELLIE TICKNER

Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital 4736 2027

FELINE PANLEUKOPENIA: VACCINATION MATTERS

Feline Panleukopenia –often referred to as feline parvovirus – is a disease many cat owners have heard of, but few truly appreciate until it appears close to home. Over the past month, veterinary clinics across western Sydney have reported a concerning increase in cases, serving as a timely reminder of just how serious –and preventable – this virus can be.

Feline Panleukopenia (FPV) is a highly contagious viral infection, closely related to canine parvovirus. It primarily affects unvaccinated cats, particularly kittens, and can spread rapidly through communities. What makes FPV especially dangerous is not just how easily it transmits, but how resilient it is in the environment. The virus can survive for up to a

infected simply by coming into contact with contaminated faeces. However, the virus doesn’t stop there – it can also be carried on clothing, shoes, and hands, as well as through bodily fluids like saliva, urine, and vomit. This means even indoor cats are not

devastating, with mortality rates approaching 90 per cent in severe cases. Early veterinary intervention is critical, as while there is no cure for the virus itself, intensive supportive care – such as fluid therapy, medications, and nutritional support – can significantly

completely risk-free if the virus is inadvertently brought into the

improve survival chances.

One of the most challenging

after recovery, cats can continue to shed the virus for up to two months, posing an ongoing risk to other animals.

Despite its severity, there is a clear and effective line of defence: vaccination.

FPV is included in the core vaccination schedule for cats, and when administered correctly, it offers strong protection. Kittens require an initial series of vaccinations, followed by a booster at one year of age, and then ongoing boosters as recommended by your veterinarian. More importantly, immunity develops about two weeks after the final vaccination in the initial course, so keeping to the recommended schedule is essential.

The recent rise in cases across western Sydney is a sobering reminder that preventable

Relax & Unwind

JOANNE

MADELINE MOORE

Boho Astro

@JoMadelineMoore

© Joanne Madeline Moore 2026

AQUARIUS

JANUARY 21 TO FEBRUARY 19

Pluto (in Aquarius) squares the Sun (in your domestic zone), which could lead to some uncomfortable home truths about how you relate to your nearest and dearest. Don’t blame other people for challenges and roadblocks! Take a close look at what you’re doing – perhaps you are the problem? Look within for the answers. Be inspired by actress (and birthday great) Shirley Maclaine, “The most profound relationship we will ever have is the one with ourselves.”

TAURUS

APRIL 21 TO MAY 21

This week you’ll feel the positive effects of the Sun, Venus and Uranus in Taurus plus four planets in proactive Aries. So avoid getting stuck in a static way of thinking and a routine way of behaving. A current situation (or ongoing problem) has more creative options and exciting possibilities than you previously thought. Wisdom for the week is from movie star (and birthday great) Barbra Streisand, “I just don’t want to be hampered by my own limitations.”

LEO

JULY 23 TO AUGUST 23

Many lively Lions are independent operators, fiery communicators and masters at juggling multiple projects. But things could go haywire this week, as the Sun/Pluto square complicates personal and professional relationships. Don’t let it deter you. Think things through carefully, consult widely – and then grab opportunities with both hands! Your motto is from birthday great, Barbra Streisand, “Every setback is an opportunity to come back stronger.”

SCORPIO

OCTOBER 24 TO NOVEMBER 22

Prepare for a rather explosive and intense week, Scorpio! Five planets in fiery Aries amp up your bossy and controlling side, especially at work. And then the powerful weekend Sun/Pluto square stirs up a tricky relationship with a romantic partner or a family member. So make sure you confiscate all sharp implements and choose your words wisely, as many people (including you) will be quick to anger and liable to make mountains out of molehills.

PISCES

FEBRUARY 20 TO MARCH 20

Expect an up and down kind of week. Venus could make you feel attractive, lucky and loved, especially at home. While Saturn could amplify feelings of doubt and low-self-esteem. Don’t stress and procrastinate Pisces! Wisdom for the week comes from birthday great Barbra Streisand, who turns 84 on Friday ““Doubt can motivate you, so don’t be afraid of it. Confidence and doubt are at two ends of the scale, and you need both. They balance each other out.”

GEMINI

MAY 22 TO JUNE 21

Uranus transits into your sign on the weekend, where it stays until 2033. So it’s a good time to update your computer skills, experiment with innovative ideas, learn something radically new, and/ or travel somewhere you’ve never been before. Uranus and Gemini both stimulate the nervous system. So a regular form of relaxation – like meditation, yoga, chanting or Tai Chi – will help to settle your overstimulated brain and nervous system in the years ahead.

VIRGO

AUGUST 24 TO SEPTEMBER 23

The Sun shifts into fellow earth sign Taurus, so it’s time for steady Virgos to step up and be the calm voice of reason, as you find creative ways to work with others. If you collaborate and are prepared to pivot, then it will help steer you onto more solid ground in these uncertain times. Be inspired by birthday great, Queen Elizabeth, “Whatever life throws at us, our individual responses will be all the stronger for working together and sharing the load.”

SAGITTARIUS

NOVEMBER 23 TO DECEMBER 21

With four planets visiting fellow fire sign Aries, this week you’ll be at your sociable, gregarious Sagittarian best – especially with friends and at work. You’re keen to have fun but, when it comes to close relationships, resist the tendency to be superficial. Jupiter (your patron planet) is transiting through your secrets and intrigue zone, so there’s more going on beneath the surface than meets the eye. Smart Sagittarians will slow down, observe, listen and learn.

HOROSCOPES

ARIES

MARCH 21 TO APRIL 20

Calling all red-hot Rams! The week starts with a fiery bang as Mercury, Mars and Saturn hook up in your sign. Ideas, action and determination will take you places. Lucky Venus and inventive Uranus also activate your cash zone. So –when it comes to money matters – being creative and innovative could pay off. On the other hand, don’t be too hasty. Your motto for the moment is from birthday great, writer Charlotte Bronte, “Look twice before you leap.”

CANCER

JUNE 22 TO JULY 22

This week, with Mercury, Neptune, Mars and Saturn all transiting through your career zone, it’s time to be clever, creative, proactive and disciplined at work. Then there’s the powerful Sun/ Pluto square on the weekend, when you could become drawn into a heated argument over money, possessions, an inheritance or a friend. Or you could find yourself consumed by obsessive love, secret desires or jealous thoughts. So calm down and tread carefully Crabs!

LIBRA

S EPTEMBER 24 TO OCTOBER 23

Calling all love-hungry Librans! The week starts with a fiery bang as Mercury, Mars and Saturn all link up in your relationship zone. If you want to improve your love life, then you’ll have to be creative, proactive and persistent. Lucky Venus and inventive Uranus also activate one of your finance zones. So –when it comes to money matters – being cooperative and innovative could pay off, especially involving business partnerships and joint finances.

CAPRICORN

DECEMBER 22 TO JANUARY 20

This week’s tricky Sun/Pluto square could reactivate a festering friendship or money issue that’s been brewing and stewing. A large dollop of diplomacy – and a heap of humility – will get you through. The good news? Destiny is around you and fate could lead you to a special new contact at work. Be proactive and adventurous. As actress (and birthday great) Shirley MacLaine observed, “Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb. It’s where all the fruit is.”

KOOKABURRAS, GARDENS

The melodious warble of a magpie’s song and the joyous laughter of a kookaburra is the music that met my ears upon waking up at Comfort Resort Leura Gardens.

I recently made myself at home at this Blue Mountains hideaway, nestled within renowned heritage English-style gardens bursting with colours of crimson and gold to welcome the Autumn season.

I arrived at the 24/7 reception after driving through the leafy village of Leura. Straight after checking in, I explored the destination’s three gardens: the Gazebo Gardens, the Lady Fairfax Gardens, and the Pond.

The Gazebo Gardens are sculpted to surround a walkway that wraps around the left side of the resort and guides wanderers back to the middle of the venue. Bustling branches shade the pathway, and patches of sun light up the colourful flora and the wings of the friendly neighbourhood kookaburras as the fly between the trees.

The Lady Fairfax Gardens echo the colours of the Gazebo Gardens but feature a large grassy area where I could imagine children running around or ladies taking a stroll. It also features magnificent trees with wide trunks that make you ponder for a moment just how long they have been around for, and how much longer they will remain.

The Pond reminded me of a Japanese garden. It featured a steel and cast-iron bench overlooking a lily-pad-filled pond, over which was an arched wooden footbridge. I sat on the bench in the afternoon sunlight, watching the rays bounce off the water, making the garden look ethereal.

From there, I walked under the Linden Tree – where another two kookaburras had landed to enjoy some late afternoon people-watching – and made my way to the giant chess board for a competitive pre-dinner game of strategy.

After suffering a shocking loss, I freshened up in my room before my dinner reservation.

The room was chic and classic. The blue

dining destination in the Mountains), and Leura Golf Course across the road.

From the additional window above the armchair, I also took in the cubby house below – painted in bright shades of pink, blue and green, and surrounded by beautiful trees and bushes.

a

“THE ROOM WAS CHIC AND CLASSIC”

As I imagined returning to the gardens with my own family one day, I made my way to Fairways Restaurant and Bar where I discovered a world of bold flavours and next-level hospitality.

The restaurant – which is situated at the resort – fuses modern Australian cuisine with Flipino influences thanks to Executive Chef Emilio Llausas.

With guidance from Nick, my fantastic waiter for the evening, I went on a mind-blow-

AND FOOD TO SAVOUR AT LEURA

ing journey through the menu. I started with rosemary and garlic focaccia served with mandarin and miso butter. I have never seen or tasted anything like this before, and that set the benchmark for the remainder of my reservation.

Another menu standout was the Tuna Kinilaw ceviche served with green tomato, onion, cucumber, and spicy coconut espuma.

“HIS SKILL AND CREATIVITY DESERVES INFINITE RECOGNITION”

With one bite of this dish, I decided I need to move closer to Leura. This was the freshest, most balanced ceviche I’ve ever tried. It was tangy, spicy, and simply perfect.

I followed that with the Bone Marrow Kilawin Tartare – the most beautiful tartare I’ve ever seen. Unlike the usual pre-chewed presentation that beef tartare is known for, this dish looked and tasted like luxury on a plate. It featured punchy acidic flavours accentuated by the savoury undertones of the bone marrow.

One of the final menu items I tried was the Char Siu pork – a slow roasted pork neck with apple and fennel salad, szechuan pepper oil, and fermented pineapple jus. The sweet and savoury share plate was eyes-rolled-back-into-the-head good. With each bite, you can tell the Chef is passionate about delivering amazing flavours with seasonal produce and elegant presentation. After my experience, I genuinely wonder

and

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The restaurant is open for dinner from Thursday to Saturday; lunch from Friday to Sunday; and the refreshing buffet breakfast is available every day of the week from 7.30am to 9.30am.

For anyone with an appreciation for beauty, nature and food, the friendly team at Comfort Resort Leura Gardens and Fairways Restaurant and Bar are ready to welcome you – alongside the feathery singers. You won’t regret it.

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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.

THEME: FAMOUS CITIES BANGKOK

HONG KONG

SYDNEY

BARCELONA

AMSTERDAM

KUALA LUMPUR

CHICAGO

DELHI

NEW YORK CITY

Last week’s solution

Trivia Quiz

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

1. How old was Shakespeare when he died?

2. How many children did Shakespeare have?

3. What are the first recorded works of Shakespeare?

4. How many plays is Shakespeare believed to have written?

5. What was the last play Shakespeare wrote by himself?

6. What is the longest Shakespeare play?

7. Which Shakespeare play influenced the 1999 movie ’10 things I hate about you’?

8. Who played Romeo in the 1996 film adaptation of Shakespeare’s play ‘Romeo and Juliet’?

9. Which play is the quote “To be, or not to be: that is the question” from?

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.

What you'll need:

– Large microwave proof bowl

– Spatula or large spoon

– Baking dish

Ingredients:

– 1 cup of Coco Pops

– 1 bag of Marshmallows

– 2 Twix bars (chopped, sold in sets of 2, so 4 bars in total)

– 2 bags of Nestlé Milk Chocolate Melts

Optional:

– Sprinkles or mini M&ms for toppings

Method:

1. Melt the chocolate in the microwave or over hot water in a bowl.

2. Once completely melted, add dry ingredients to the bowl and combine.

3. Scoop mixture into a baking dish and spread to fill the bottom of the dish. Add optional toppings.

4. Place the rocky road in the fridge to set for at least 2 hours. Once set, cut up and enjoy!