‘Snowberon’ cops a polar blast
The Beaver family from Sydney. Photo: Elise Searson.
There’s nothing quite like waking up to the sound of kids giggling in excitement as they discover a winter wonderland in their own backyard.
As arctic winds intensified through the night snow chasers poured into the country town of Oberon – almost 3 hours north of Canberra.
Oberon. Photo: Elise Searson.
This usually quiet industrial town of 4,500 people prepared days in advance for the inundation of metropolitan folk causing chaos in the streets. The first cab off the rank were filmmakers from Springwood and Wollongong who slid their way into a parallel park out the front of the servo.
Aaron Murray from Springwood and Corey Jones from Wollongong. Photo: Elise Searson.
“We’ve come here chasing the snow and got more than what we bargained for, Aaron says. We’ve been awake since 11 o’clock last night and need to get back to Wollongong for a job.”
With all roads leading in and out of Oberon closed the only option was to surrender to a ‘snow day’.
Geannie Hocking from Oberon. Photo: Elise Searson.
When it comes to crazy driving Geannie who works at the local service station has seen it all – from the unexperienced driver to plain stupid.
As we were talking she shouted out to a driver in a ute who was in sliding mode “don’t you reverse into my car.”
She admits to loving the snow but not the chasers that come with it.
“We had a drop of snow a few weeks ago but this is the best I’ve seen in 5 years. The closed roads don’t stop people from getting in and out, they still come in. We even get people calling up and asking what time it’s going to snow.”
House in Oberon. Photo: Elise Searson.
Sally Gilday grew up in Oberon and visits her mum who still lives in their family home in town.
“As soon as I read the snow report I knew it was going to be a good one, we were meant to go to Sussex Inlet for the weekend but changed our minds so the kids could experience playing in the snow,” she says.
“When I was growing up we used to see a lot more snowfalls like this, now we get this once a season.”
Sally Gilday. Photo: Elise Searson.
Judy Dansie also mentioned the change in snowfall over the years making a point about the rare days like today.
“Isn’t it so beautiful, I’ve been walking around for an hour now, I just can’t get enough – this hardly happens anymore.”
Judy Dansie from Oberon. Photo: Elise Searson.
Makayla couldn’t get enough “This is the best day ever,” she said while swimming in snow.
Makayla Foley, 9, from Oberon. Photo: Elise Searson.
When the snow dumps on Oberon again again, you can keep up to date with weather and road conditions on the Oberon Council website. In an emergency call SES on 132 500.