Articles published in October 2026
First piles drilled in major milestone for Victoria Pass reinstatement
October 1, 2026 in General News  Someone was whining on Facebook a few days ago, complaining that no work was being done to reopen Victoria Pass. He was wrong, of course, but attempts to educate him failed. Here is the latest report from Transport for NSW, with a video showing that a lot is really happening.
Read the media release here and look at the moving pictures.
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RFS recognises years of service
October 1, 2026 in People  The Rural Fire Service had ceremonies on September 26 to recognise the service that its members have provided over the years. Members from Oberon and surrounds figured prominently.
See the awards here
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Oberon Council Mayor's Column
October 1, 2026 in Community This fortnight's column from Oberon Mayor Andrew McKibbin can be seen here. We like it when firefighters just play cards all day
October 1, 2026 in Community  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.
See the story here
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They Say They're Saving a Forest. They're Really Saving Coal.
October 1, 2026 in Opinion and General News  There's that old saying: "Follow the money". Social commentator Frackman Project has done a bit of research into what is going on around Oberon. It's worth a read.
Read the article here
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Mayoral Message: Request for Respectful Debate
October 1, 2026 in Community and Opinion The investigation into the feasibility of constructing and operating The Pines Wind Farm is a highly significant issue that has generated strong and differing views across our community. Mayor Andrew McKibbin asks for politeness and restraint.
See the Mayor's comment here | | |
Year 12 students might feel anxious as exams approach. Here's what can help
October 1, 2026 in Schools  With final exams coming up, students might (probably will) be anxious about their results and what those results mean for the rest of their lives. This article from The Conversation might help with that anxiety.
See the article here
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Schools settle down for the holidays. And the HSC.
October 1, 2026 in Schools  The week before the holidays and everyone is looking forward to a few days away from education. Except for Year 12, of course, who are looking forward with trepidation to the HSC exams. Good luck to all (although you probably don't need it).
See what happened here
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Sport winds down for the season
October 1, 2026 in Sport  With almost all the sports reaching the end of their seasons, it was a week of presentations and looking back to 2026 and forward to 2027.
You can see some of the fun here
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Another place to eat in Oberon
October 8, 2026 in Business   Have you ever got back to Oberon late in the evening (and even later now with Victoria Pass closed) and wanted to buy some food but everything seems to be closed? Well, now there's an answer because Emma Leggo has opened Emma's Takeaway, It's in the BP service station on Albion Street and it's open at the following times:
- Monday - Thursday: 6pm - 6am
- Friday: 6pm - Midnight
- Saturday: 10am - 1pm
- Sunday: CLOSED
And what about the food? Oberon Matters test drove a bacon and egg roll and some chips and the reviewer kept mumbling "Excellent!" through mouthfuls of bun. But you need to go there to see for yourself. Find out more at Emma's Facebook page. While you're here, Emma lost her house in one of the fires a few days ago. You can help by going to https://gofund.me/f53b941d1 and throwing a few dollars into the collection bucket. | | |
Excitement in the forests is coming to Oberon
October 8, 2026 in Sport  Forest rallying returns to Oberon with events on October 31 and November 14. On October 31, the Australian Motor Sport Action Group (AMSAG) will be holding a rally based on Black Springs. The service park will be the Avoca Reserve and the action will take place in Vulcan and Essington State Forests. The roads in these forests provide excellent action for both competitors and spectators. Two weeks later the Rally Car Club will be running the final round of the NSW Rally Championship. The service park and rally HQ will be at the Oberon Sports Complex with competition happening in Jenolan and Hampton State Forests.
If you want to get even closer to the action, both events require officials and you don't have to have any specialised knowledge. Officials are always needed for road closures, timing control points and spectator control. For more details contact AMSAG or the Rally Car Club. Better still, contact both of them. | | |
Remembering the goodest dog
October 8, 2026 in General News  This week marks the tenth anniversary of the death of Cody, who was my best friend in the world when I moved to Oberon. This is something I wrote for the Oberon Writers' Workshop in 2019.
Read the story here
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Two views of the same subject
Book review: "The Digital Delusion" by Jared Cooney Horvath
October 8, 2026 in Reviews and Schools  There
is a range of views on the use of screens and other technology in schools. One extreme is that they are essential to prepare students for life in the real world where the technology is ubiquitous. The other extreme is that their use is harmful and degrades the learning process by both distraction and deskilling. The truth, as with most things, lies somewhere in between. This book leans towards the "harmful" end of the spectrum.
Read the review here
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New research looks at how screens are actually being used in Australian classrooms - the results may surprise you
October 8, 2026 in Schools  With all the schools on holidays there's not a lot of activity to report, so here's an article from The Conversation detailing research into the use of screens and devices in schools. It seems that things might not be as bad as some people think.
Read the article here
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When most sport stops, the golfers don't
October 8, 2026 in Sport  Almost all sports have finished their seasons and celebrated with presentations, but the golfers just keep getting back out there doing a whatever it is that golfers do.
See the week's results here
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A day out at the markets
October 15, 2026 in Community  Saturday, October 10, saw another edition of the Seasonal Markets at the Edith Rec Ground. The number of stalls was a little smaller this time that in the past, but that didn't affect the experience. There was still lots to see and, with a busker performing, to hear.
See some of the day's action here
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[_private/a_inclusions/articles/2026/10 October/1015puppy_farm.htm]Oberon Council Mayor's Column
October 15, 2026 in Community This fortnight's column from Oberon Mayor Andrew McKibbin can be seen here. A little bit of schooling does you good
October 15, 2026 in Schools  Things are slowly getting back to normal after the holidays, although Year 12 students starting the HSC this week would probably love something approaching normal.
See the week's reports here
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Worried about your Year 12 exams? 3 ways to help anxiety
October 15, 2026 in Schools  Nobody would deny that exams are very stressful, even if you think you know the work. The stress is probably greatest at the HSC if you think the results will dictate the rest of your life (hint - they shouldn't and don't). This article from The Conversation has some useful advice about coping with exam stress.
Read the article here
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All the sport that's fit to print
October 15, 2026 in Sport  Another quiet week in sport with only the pony club, hockey and the inevitable golfers challenging the back pages. We are all waiting for a summer season of something.
See what happened here
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When you need a shot of caffeine
October 22. 2026 in Community  Sometimes you just need a cup of something hot, and there's no shortage of coffee sources in Oberon.
See some of the choices here
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A bit of administrivia
October 22, 2026 in General News|
Updated October 29, 2026  The man behind the curtain has been busy this week, dealing with Facebook and blocking AI systems from stealing the content of the site.
You can read the gory details here
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School's back for summer
October 22, 2026 in Schools  The schools are back from the holidays and working towards the end of the year. And the HSC exams are still going on, so good luck to Year 12.
See what's happening here
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A little birdie told me ...
October 22, 2026 in Sports  ... that even when all the other sports took a weekend off the golfers would still be out there on the fairways chasing those elusive dimpled balls.
See the week's results here
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NAIDOC Day at the Common
October 29, 2026 in Community  Sunday, October 18, saw the people of Oberon gathered at the Oberon Common to celebrate NAIDOC Day. After a Welcome to Country from a local Elder, there was a smoking ceremony and some traditional (and new) dances, displays of art and artifacts and an opportunity for everyone to join in and celebrate the history and continued presence of the original inhabitants of the land we all call home.
See some photos from the day here
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An important advertisement
October 29, 2026 in Community October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and it is certainly something to be aware of. Breast cancer screening will be available in Oberon from Monday, November 23, to Tuesday, December 8. The van will be in the Tallys Lane car park and it will be difficult to miss - it's big and pink. You can book by ringing
or by going to breastscreen.nsw.gov.au. 
You would I hope be amazed to find that there are people so depraved that they object to attempts to reduce the incidence of breast cancer and would even suggest that screening can cause cancer. You can go here to be astounded and offended.
A reminder - don't get scammed
October 29, 2026 in General News I've received two fake invoices in the last week wanting me to pay for renewal of a business name. One of the scammers had been trying for years, but the other one was new. As it looks like they are getting ready for the "get everything done before Christmas" season in many businesses a reminder is probably justified. An old scam resurrected. And it's completely legal.
February 5, 2026 in General News  When Benjamin Franklin said that the only inevitable things were death and taxes he couldn't have foreseen the scam invoice industry. If there's a "legal" way to defraud people or organisations, someone will find the niche and fill it. One method of fraud has arrived at Oberon Matters twice in the last few weeks.
There's more to see here
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Here's a bit of trivia
October 29, 2026 in General News If you remember a teacher mentioning Pythagoras at school you might also remember his theorem about right angled triangles. Even if you don't, we have just passed through a Pythagorean date. On October 24, 2026 it happened for the first and last times in our lifetimes. 102 + 242 = 262. The next occurrence will be in 2105, but there will be two - April 3 and March 4. 
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Oberon Council Mayor's Column
October 29, 2026 in Community This fortnight's column from Oberon Mayor Andrew McKibbin can be seen here. Schools teach the "Three Ls" - Learning, Learning and Learning
October 29, 2026 in Schools  And the learning certainly went on at the schools around Oberon - learning about cultures, learning about future careers, learning about science, learning about friendship and support, learning about serious health problems, ... It goes on and on.
See the activities here
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A short putt to the back page
October 29, 2026 in Sport  Once again the golfers dominate the week's sporting news. Mainly because everyone else stayed at home.
See the scores here
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