Australia Day in Oberon, 2026

January 29, 2026

It seemed like the entire population of Oberon crowded into the Oberon Community Centre for the 2026 Australia Day Ceremony. Several trips had to be made to find extra chairs as the crowd kept coming. If the population of Oberon gets any bigger we might have to build a bigger hall.

You can see the program for the day by clicking on the image over there on the right.

As everyone was arriving and enjoying the morning tea put on by the ladies from the Oberon Hockey Club, the ukulele players from U3A entertained with some great strumming and singing.

Oberon Mayor Andrew McKibbin read the Acknowledgement of Country and officially opened the proceedings. Oberon's 2025 Citizen of the Year Peter Ryan unfurled the flag.

In the Oberon community Australia Day is a true celebration of where we live and of those individuals and groups that the community have nominated for their service to the community or special achievements. For everyone who has been nominated there is an individual story which has been included in the Australia Day Booklet. Their stories highlight what is truly good amongst us. We also recognise some individuals and groups who have not been nominated but have contributed greatly to our common good.

We celebrate all the things we love about Australia, our unique landscape, our lifestyle, our democracy and the freedoms we enjoy. Australia Day is about acknowledging the contribution every Australian makes to our contemporary and dynamic nation. From our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who been here for more than 65,000 years, to those who have lived here for generations, to those o come from all corners of the globe to call our country home and have found that home in our community.

Australia Day is a time when we also confirm new citizens of Australia and acknowledge those who have become new citizens over the preceding year.

The occasional address was given by Australia Day Ambassador, Graham Ross AM. You can read the speech here.

Many of us are Australians by accident - we were born here - but the country we know has been built on arrivals from other countries. One of the highlights of Australia Day is welcoming new citizens and this day's naturalisations were Victoria Bewley and Youstina Tawadros. Welcome to the rights and privileges that we all enjoy.

Comment from Oberon Council:

The National Anthem was led by Lyn Hancox.

Now on to the Australia Day awards. The comments from the program follow each photo.

The award for Environmental Champion of the Year went to Oberon Citizen Science Network.

The Oberon Citizen Science Network is a group of people living in and around the Oberon LGA. The members of the network have a shared interest in science and in studying important aspects of the local environment. The Oberon region contains rare sub-alpine habitats and rivers that provide vital habitat for endangered and cold-tolerant species. However. little systematic or recent data on our fauna exists. The Oberon Citizen Science Network aims to fill in these knowledge gaps by working with researchers and conservation groups to run structured surveys across the region.

Through modern tools such as lime-lapse cameras and sensors. members are able to collect data to create a better understanding of the local wildlife. including how to protect it. In October. the Network was involved in a school holiday workshop for school aged children, creating an edible community garden This project and others including STEM [Science. Technology, Engineering and Mathematics] activities will be undertaken alongside the library staff.

Volunteer Group of the Year went to Oberon Men's Shed. As this is the second time they have won this category, handicappers will be taking a close look at them in 2027. (Other nominations were the Oberon Junior Hockey Association, Oberon and District Garden Club and Burraga Sport & Recreation Club.)

Oberon's Med Shed Inc. was established in 2009 to address and assist the issues of isolation and the health of men in Oberon. providing a relaxed atmosphere where local men can call in without any obligation. start new friendships and improve their lifestyle Oberon's Men Shed Inc. has been successful since the start and continues to be to this day, allowing members to be productive. connecting and contributing to the community and maintaining an active body and mind - providing a safe environmental where these factors are easily accessible.

Members of the Oberon Men's Shed Inc. range from 19 to 93, encouraging members to talk. share stories. and commit to projects they enjoy. The members hold a weekly lunch and have regular guest speakers who discuss issues relating to the group, issues men struggle with and other subjects of interest. They engage in different activities like raffles, physical activities, maintaining the area and regularly participating in major local events. The Oberon's Men's Shed Inc. regularly hold events that include members' partners. and they maintain contact with other men's sheds, either visiting them or receiving a visit from others weekly. They continue to soar with a very active member base that is constantly growing.

Volunteer of the Year always attracts a big field of nominations, and this year it was Bree Rowlandson. (Other nominations were Michelle Williams, John Giblin, Kieran Lawless, Jeannette Kruk, Katie Maher, Arthur and Shirley Parker, Heather Crichton, Shirley Parker and Hayley Byrom.)

Bree is a huge inspiration for many. with her many successful events bringing people together every year. Her dedication, effort and enthusiasm for these events have led to her successfully running the Oberon Rodeo, the Oberon Bull Futurity and the Optimal Performance Academy. These events require countless hours of planning, coordination and hands-on work, all of which she takes on. Under her leadership, these events have become annual and something many local residents and tourists look forward to.

Impressively, her Optimal Performance Academy attracts local, state. national and international stars and fans to learn from world-class professionals. Her initiative has inspired many and has cemented the next generation of competitors and stars in the Oberon region and beyond.

Community Event of the Year was a difficult decision for the judges, so they decided to recognise both nominations as two very worthy causes - the Oberon Tigers Can Assist Charity Round and the inaugural Rotary Club of Oberon Shakespeare Festival.

Every year. the Oberon Tigers Junior and Senior League combine to create a fundraiser for the Can Assist charity. In 2025 they reached a reached a remarkable milestone. raising a record breaking $69,000. All funds raised on the day go towards the Can Assist Charity which assists members of the local community who are battling cancer. The committee organised a home game with all Oberon teams participating followed by by an auction. The event, which has become an annual tradition and is in its 15th yea, continues to increase its fundraising each year. Members of the community come together at the end of the football games to attend the Jersey Auction, followed by a night of entertainment. The number of volunteers and their hard work is all made worthwhile, seeing a packed Oberon Rugby Leagues Club filled with locals willing to support the cause.

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With a small but dedicated membership, the Rotary Club of Oberon successfully hosted a fully sponsored Inaugural Oberon Shakespeare Festival in 2025. Conducted for over three days, the event engaged with a Sydney theatre group, "Come You Spirits", to inspire culture, creativity and connection throughout the Oberon community. The festival aimed to ensure all generations can share the joy of performance and storytelling, attracting locals and tourists alike.

The days consisted of a free performance for the residents at the Columbia Age Care Facility, followed by a free workshop and performance at Oberon High School, which was attended by 150 students and staff. The festival officially opened on the Friday night with a dinner and performance at the Malachi Gilmore Hall, attracting l00 guests. There was a street play outside the Malachi Gilmore Hall with performers engaging the public and a full performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream at The Common, attended by approximately 300 people. The Rotary Club of Oberon provided a free barbeque, as well as the many picnics brought by the attendees.

Sports Team of the Year is usually a close run thing and this year went to the Oberon Tigers Rugby League Club Limited Men's First Grade Team. (Other nominations were the Oberon Under 15s Junior Hockey Team and the Oberon United Football Club Women's Shewolves.)

The Oberon Tigers Senior League have proven themselves to be the heart of their community, winning their 2025 grand final, showcasing their dedication, teamwork and resilience both on and off the field. Despite narrowly losing their first game, the team started an unbeatable run for the season, ending with a score of 34-8, one of the most dominant grand final wins in the Woodbridge Cup 2025.

The team comprised of mainly local players who have played for the Oberon Tigers from their junior years, creating a groundswell of community support and culminating in large crowds towards the end of the season. The lead-up to the grand final attracted an enormous amount of community interest, attention and media coverage for both the team and Oberon, putting a spotlight on Oberon and the new Sports Complex for 2026. They are also recognised beyond their achievements for their commitment to community support. Each year they host an annual Can Assist Fundraiser, raising funds for local families affected by cancer. Their efforts demonstrate their strength not only as athletes, but also their leadership and generosity as role models in our community. Year after year, the Oberon Tigers Senior League continue to inspire younger players, bring the community together, and make a positive and lasting impact both on the field and beyond.

Team Members: Lachie Gilmore, Abel Lefaoseu, Robby Walsh, Tyler Young, James Stewart, Ryan Jervis, Nathan Barlow, Jamie Arriola, Will Melchers, Luke Christie-Johnson, Leighton Lothian, Shannon Hodgson, Senio Lefaoseu, Callum Limon, Blake Fitzpatrick, Matt Ranse, Blake Miller, Sam Manatua, Nie Barlow

Young Sportsperson of the Year is another category that attracts a lot of nominations. This was another tie and the judges chose Grace Yeo and Victoria Webb. (Other nominations were Harrison Galloway-Smith, Oliver Galloway-Smith, Madeline Cooper and Serenity Saville.)

Grace is a role model amongst many in the local sporting community. Proving herself at every level, her skills allow her to compete in the Under 15s and Under 18s competitions and play First Grade. She made a significant impact in the Premier League Women's team with South Bathurst all while being under 15. Grace displays her ability to adapt, lead and perform in both the game and community. She has volunteered in the canteen, coached goalkeepers for both the Oberon Junior Hockey Association and two Bathurst Indoor Development programs, all while undertaking umpiring duties across both junior and senior grades, filling in for teams when necessary She plays with skill, heart, integrity and unwavering sportsmanship, leading by example and always lifting her teammates. Grace displays a level of professionalism and passion that can be seen whether she is on the field, sidelines or behind the scenes.

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During 2025, Victoria received multiple horse and rider trophies, and is the President of Oberon Polocrosse Club. She was honoured as the Club's 'Best and Fairest' member for 2025. Victoria has been selected to play for NSW Polocrosse at the Nationals in June 2026. She also received the Best C Grade Player award in the Western District Zone for Polocrosse. Victoria also plays Ladies League Tag and was the joint winner of the Rookie of the Year. Victoria also excels in hockey and also earned the 2025 Players Player Award for the Oberon Women's Hockey Club.

Young Citizen of the Year recognises those on their way up to even better things. The 2026 winner is Serenity Saville.

Serenity is a very driven young adult. She was the 2025 School Captain at Oberon High School and teaches Kung Fu to people ages four through to adulthood, all while working at Cafe Oberon. She has won multiple awards and certificates for martial arts and recently received an award at the EFC Seminar Business Awards for teaching children. When Serenity isn't studying, working or training she plays for the Oberon Wolves soccer team. The team has won the last two grand final games, and she has been invited to play soccer in New Zealand in 2026. Her next steps are studying to be a forensics detective.

Now for the big one - Citizen of the Year, and for 2026 it's Helen Ivers. (Other nominations were Helen Hayden, Bree Rowlandson and Meg and Peter Low.)

Helen is an outstanding community member who quietly works behind the scenes. She worked as a nurse at the Oberon Multi-Purpose Service [Oberon MPS] for over 50 years and continues to work one day a week providing a foot care service for members of the Oberon community. She is a quiet achiever and role model who always goes the extra mile for everyone around her, ranging from providing haircuts for the elderly, painting nails and shopping for her patients. She always ensures everyone who is in her care was treated with dignity and respect. Helen continues to help people within our community without seeking recognition or compensation. A quiet achiever and role model, Helen has touched countless lives of Oberon families through her work and dedication to the Oberon community.

But wait, there's more!

The judges decided to present a special award to Meg and Peter Low for their continued support for Oberon's activities over many years.

Meg and Peter moved to Oberon over 40 years ago as school teachers. Together they established a beautiful garden right in the heart of Oberon, which is accessible by the public during Autumn and Spring months, and all proceeds raised are donated to charity. Meg is the chairperson of the Showground Land Managers and has been for the last five years. During her time at the Showground, there have been significant changes and improvements to the facility. Both Meg and Peter help coordinate the maintenance of the showground, which include regular mowing, plumbing jobs and cleaning. Peter recently put his wood working skills to use with the renovation and restoration of the old showground bar.

Together, Peter and Meg coordinate and maintain the grounds for the Oberon Show, Oberon Rodeo, Oberon Campdraft, Oberon Bull Futurity, the Yard Dog Trials, the Swap Meet and many more. The availability of camping has been a great achievement, where power, water, toilets and showers are available to campers. Peter and Meg have been coordinators and promoters for the Oberon Community Markets for the last nine years and have raised over a total of eighteen thousand dollars, which has been donated to local charities. Peter and Meg are also long-time members of the Show Society, where Meg has recently taken the position of Secretary. Peter and Meg are also active members of the Oberon Tennis Association.

Meg led a committee to establish the Oberon Craft Centre which provides an outlet for local artisans to sell their products and Meg can regularly be seen driving her mini horse and sulky through the streets of Oberon attracting attention from visitors and locals alike.

Oberon Matters would like to congratulate all the winners, and the nominees too of course. Now on to 2027.

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