We like it when firefighters just play cards all day

October 1, 2026

Everyone likes to keep busy, but there are some occupations which we all wish never had to do any work at all. One of these is Fire and Rescue. Last week, the firefighters in Oberon had almost too much work to do with two house fires only days apart.

Photos supplied by Fire and Rescue NSW Station 411 Oberon

One of the fires caused the Oberon Matters office to be without power for a while, but this is what can be called "a minor inconvenience". The families living in the two houses have lost things that can't be replaced and are looking for somewhere to live until their lives can be reconstructed.

You can help the families by donating to two fundraising appeals.

Support Nat and her family: https://gofund.me/02a63bdee – Nat and Family
Support Emma and her family: https://gofund.me/f53b941d1 – Emma and Family

If you're unable to donate, sharing these fundraisers can also help get them in front of people who may be able to assist.

And speaking of help, Nat's family had the good luck of having somewhere else to go to. The alternative wasn't really habitable, so the people of Oberon pitched in with a working bee to clean the place up and make it suitable for accommodation, even if only temporary.

The working bee. Photos supplied.