Matthew Oram - Life Post WWI

Life Post WWI

After the war, he returned to practising law in Palmerston North. He also owned a farm in the Manawatu.

Oram was instrumental in the establishment of Palmerston North as a flying hub for the North Island. He obtained his pilot's licence in the 1920s and became the first president of the Manawatu Aero Club. He promoted that the club compete in the handicap section of the MacRobertson Air Race and paid half the entry fee, but ceased to support the event when his nominated pilot was not chosen.

Oram supported multiple groups. He was involved in setting up the Palmerston North branch of YMCA and was their chairman for seven years. He was involved in establishing the local debating club, and helped form the competitions society. He helped establish the Manawatu Repertory Society and was involved in their annual productions for two decades. He chaired this group for five years (1935–1940) and was later chairman of the New Zealand Players board. One of his main interests was in education. He was on the board of Palmerston North Boys' High School for 29 years, 14 years of that as chairman. He served on the Wanganui Education Board for over a decade. In 1937, he was appointed to the Victoria University College Council and a year later, he joined the Massey Agricultural College council; he held both positions until 1950. He was chairman of the Chamber of Commerce in Palmerston North.

Oram owned race horses, and in 1955, Golden Galleon won the Wellington Cup.