OBERON is the first country town this side of the Blue Mountains, and much of its appeal comes from its fascinating history.
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Prior to the early 19th century arrival of runaway convicts, explorers, stock-keepers and eventually settlers, the Oberon district was visited by Aboriginal groups.
From the Sydney side, the Cox’s River, its tributaries and the Jenolan Caves were visited by the Daruk.
From the west, groupings from the Wiradjuri Nation roamed near O’Connell, Bathurst and Macquarie Plains, and the tributary streams of the Macquarie River.
During the summer months, they visited the higher country and relics tell of communal meeting places, workshop areas, fishing, hunting and food-gathering.
In the early days of NSW, the Blue Mountains were a formidable barrier to its white settlers and it was not until 1813 that the explorers Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth found a way across the mountains to the western plains.
In early 1814, surveyor G. M. Evans reported favourably on the land west of the mountains and in late 1814, Captain William Cox led the party which built the first road across the mountains.
From about 1818, settlements in the area began when grants of land were taken up along the Fish and Campbell Rivers and between Oberon and Taralga to the south.
During the dry periods, settlers from the plains brought their stock to the green pastures of the higher pastures around Oberon.
Increasing numbers of settlers took up residence, many from Ireland, either growing vegetables or fruits of British origin, or grazing stock. Gold was also first discovered in the Fish River by surveyor McBrien in 1823.
The site of Oberon was surveyed by Horace Charlton and John. F. Mann on 456 acres of Crown Land, adjacent to an area known locally as Bullock Flats.
On July 4, 1863, the village of Oberon was proclaimed and named after the King of the Fairies in Shakespeare’s play A Midsummer Night’s Dream and in March 1906, the Oberon Shire Council was formed at a public meeting.
The 20th century saw an agricultural transformation in Oberon, with such things as carbon tetrachloride bringing control of liver fluke in sheep and super-phosphate leading to developed pastures.
For almost 50 years, peas and potatoes were important crops and for many years fat lamb production was a major economic item.
From about 1930, when plantings of radiata pine commenced, the timber industry has become increasingly economically important.
The town population of almost 200 in the 1880s had swelled to about 2500 100 years later. In 2013, Oberon and district population is just over 5000.
Though many of the original wattle and daub or pise buildings that dotted the area in its early years no longer exist, there are a number of historical buildings across the district as reminders of the past.
Some of these buildings include the pise barn at O’Connell which is believed to be the oldest rammed earth building in Australia, the convent built in 1914, the National Bank building, St Barnabas’ Church built in 1869, Ramsgate House built in 1906 and the art deco Malachi Gilmore Hall built in 1937.
Oberon’s history is deeply rooted in its personality. In particular, the agriculture that existed in the 19th and 20th centuries is still active and very present in the areas surrounding the Oberon township.
Prime lamb, beef cattle, cropping, hay and silage production, wool, vegetables, and even the amazing production of truffles are all strong agricultural products in the Oberon district, making farmers an integral part of the success of Oberon’s growth.
Oberon will mark 150 years since proclamation on Thursday, July 4.
Official celebrations will take place on Saturday, July 6.