Pink Skies of Oberon
November 7, 2024 in Community

We're thrilled to announce the winners of the Pink Skies of Oberon photo competition, which is part of the Pink Up Oberon events this October. Thank you to everyone who participated and supported the McGrath Foundation during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
See the winning photos here

Oberon Sports Complex construction moves along
November 7, 2024 in Sport and Community

Work keeps happening at the site of the new Sports Complex.
You can see what Oberon Council has to say about this here

Burraga Redfin Roundup
October 31, 2024 in Community and Sport

We don't know how propitious are the circumstances
October 31, 2024 in Community

Life's tough in Oberon, but how much better off would we be living in a place with a lot more people and resources? Oberon Matters looked at a local government area with over 60 times the population to find any benefits. We don't know how lucky we are.
See the full story here

NAIDOC celebrations
October 24, 2024 in Community

On Saturday, October 19, Oberon gathered at the Common for a celebration of NAIDOC Day. The day included exhibitions of various aspect of indigenous culture such as crafts, painting and, weaving. There was face painting, ochre spatter painting of hand silhouettes, a painting produced by a collective of anyone who wanted to join in, but the main event was the dedication of the Yarning Circle in the Common.
See more about this here

The railway gets to another milestone
October 24, 2024 in Community

The Oberon Tarana Heritage Railway is another step closer to seeing trains running on the tracks. The trackwork between Oberon and Hazlegrove is completed, and this was celebrated on Friday, October 18.
See some more about this here

Have your say on health reform in regional NSW
October 24, 2024 in Community

The Select Committee on Remote, Rural and Regional Health has commenced Its third and final inquiry into the implementation of recommendations made in a landmark 2022 Legislative Council report. The Committee wants to hear what progress has been made in areas that require collaboration between governments, and consultation with remote, rural and regional communities. Submissions close 1 November.

Congratulations Number 1
October 24, 2024 in Community and Business

Congratulations to Mawhood's IGA for the announcement that they have been awarded a Community Recognition Statement by Member for Bathurst Paul Toole for "the outstanding community and business contributions Mawhood's IGA have made to the people of Oberon."
See the full certificate here

Congratulations Number 3
October 24, 2024 in Community

Congratulations to Meg Low for being a finalist in the 2024 Crown Lands Management Awards. The citation read: "As the Chair of the Oberon Showground Land Manager, Meg has been instrumental in helping the showground host both big and small events. Meg excels in liaising with community groups and enhancing the camping experience and works tirelessly to promote the showground."

Pines Wind Farm releases the first draft
October 17, 2024 in Community

The first draft has been released of possible locations for wind power turbines in the forests around Oberon. 250 locations have been identified (see the map here), although it seems unlikely that all will be used (or even useable). Pines Wind Farm will be holding information sessions at Oberon (2pm on Thursday, October 17, at the Community Centre), Black Springs (10am on Saturday, October 19, at the Black Springs Community Hall) and Burraga (6pm on Tuesday, October 22, at the Burraga Community Hall) and everyone is invited to go along and find out more.

You can see a media release about the draft proposal here.

Media Release - Squash courts facelift completed
October 17, 2024 in Community and Sport

Squash players will now be playing on flash new courts at Oberon RSL as renovations are completed. The upgrades included some new flooring, painting and roof restorations.
See the rest of the media release here

Coming soon - The Great Schnitty Search
October 17, 2024 in Community

The chicken schnitzel (with chips, of course) is a staple of pub and café menus. With so many places offering this delicacy around the area, Oberon Matters has embarked on a journey to try them all. So far, the offerings at Cafe Oberon, the Tarana Hotel and the Hampton Half Way House have been sampled (the view at Hampton would make up for any shortcomings in the food), and visits will be made to DJ's Cafe, the Royal Hotel, Oberon RSL, the O'Connell Hotel, Oberon Golf Club, the Cave Pizza and anywhere else that can be discovered as the budget and the GP's advice about diet permit.

Never say we're short of places to eat around here.

October 2024 Oberon Council Meeting
October 17, 2024 in Community

The major items on the agenda for the first meeting of Oberon Council after the election were the swearing in of the Councillors and the election of the new Mayor and Deputy Mayor.
See more about the meeting here

Let's talk about mental health
October 17, 2024 in Community

October is Mental Health Month with the subset of Mental Health Week running from October 5 to 12. Oberon Matters had a look at some of the activities in the area which assist in supporting and maintaining mental health - Mr Perfect, Walk'nTalk for Life, Men's Shed and for something a little different, writing songs.
See more about this here

What to do on a quiet Saturday?
October 10, 2024 in Community

Sometimes there seems to be nothing to do in a quiet country town on a Saturday. But there usually is something to do if you have a look around. Oberon Matters had a look around on October 5.
See some photos of the adventure here

Sad and sorry Sodwalls Road
October 10, 2024 in Community

When Jenolan Caves Road at Hampton is closed for repairs, one alternative for getting out of Oberon is to go via Tarana and Sodwalls Road towards Lithgow. Nobody who has driven along Sodwalls Road will be unaware of the condition of the road surface. Oberon Matters went out for an inspection and recorded a video.
See more of the tragedy here

Kick the paint tin for the Malachi
October 3, 2024 in Community

Everyone loves the Malachi, but even its greatest fans have to admit that the outside is looking a bit tired so there is a campaign running to raise the funds to repaint the building. Two fundraisers were held over the last few days - a sausage sizzle and a wonderful concert. More money is still needed for the project and you can find out how to do that in the article.
See more about this here

Raffles! Raffles everywhere you look
October 3, 2024 in Community

There always seems to be at least one raffle being sold somewhere along the Oberon Street shopping precinct, but there's one you should look out for every Friday outside IGA.

It's the fundraiser for the Oberon Men's Shed, and the prizes are very worthwhile. There's a raffle for the traditional trailer load of wood and another for food, with prizes being shopping vouchers for up to $300 (so far from Barker's Butchery and IGA). The raffles are drawn when they are fully subscribed.

The Man's Shed has been through some difficulties lately and the proceeds of these raffles will help to ensure its future. Definitely a worthy cause. And you might even win something (unlike the ticket over there - Oberon Matters is still paying for groceries).

First World Problems
October 3, 2024 in Community

Oberon suffered a power failure on Saturday, September 28 affecting 1402 users, including everyone in a business along Oberon Street.

Things could have been worse. And a local resident remembered that they were much worse a few years ago in Wentworth Falls.
See the story here

Oberon's new Council
October 3, 2024 in Community

The votes are in and counted, and Oberon has a newish set of Councillors. Six members of the previous council stood and all were reelected, with three new members coming on board to guide Oberon for the next four years.

Those elected were:

• Frank O'Connor
• Katie Graham*
• Clive McCarthy*
• Andrew McKibbin*
• Helen Hayden*
• Jill O'Grady
• Ian Tucker*
• Anthony Alevras
• Lauren Trembath*
• (The asterisk indicates a reelected Councillor)

Oberon Matters congratulates all the Councillors. The first meeting of the new Council will be on October 15, when the only business will be to swear in the members and elect the Mayor.

You can see a full analysis of the results here.

Walk'n'Talk for Life
September 26, 2024 in Community

Another successful get-together to talk about preventing suicide. Federal MP Andrew Gee came along to offer his support. Others who need to be thanked are Wayne Barker at Barker's Butchery for the sausages and steaks and Oberon Smash Repairs for kicking the can with sponsorship. The next W'n'T event is on Saturday October 13 at 11:30 at the Oberon Common.

Edith car boot sale
September 26, 2024 in Community

The weather was perfect for the annual Car Boot Sale at the Edith Recreation Ground. The shed is looking better all the time, and the money raised will make it even better in the future.
See more about this here