In 1827, the explorer Allan Cunningham crossed the Gwydir River and made a discovery that would shape the history of New England, New South Wales — the site of what would become the town of Bingara. The squatters followed, then the gold miners arrived in 1851/52, and with them came merchants, families, and a community that would grow into something truly special.
To mark the Sesqui-Centenary of that historic discovery — 150 years later in 1977 — the Bingara Historical Society published a remarkable tribute: the Allan Cunningham Cook Book.
👉 Buy the Allan Cunningham Cook Book – $22 with FREE shipping
A Community Cookbook Like No Other
The men and women of Bingara rallied together to honour Cunningham's legacy in the most heartfelt way imaginable — by sharing their favourite recipes, many handed down through generations of pioneering families. This isn't just a cookbook. It's a living record of the people who built Bingara, told through the food they cooked and the names attached to every recipe.
Each recipe carries the name of the contributor — a roll call of Bingara's proud families — making this book as much a piece of social history as it is a culinary guide.
A Sample of the Recipes — and the People Behind Them
Here's just a small taste of what you'll find inside:
- Curried Tuna Dip – Neville Butler
- Nuts & Bolts – Lila Bilsborough
- Iris Coffee – Lorraine Batterham
- Shoulder of Lamb – Barbara Lemin
- Sweet & Sour Pork – Pam Hall
- Sweet & Sour Meat Balls – Helen Mitchell
- Tomato Cream Beef – Wendy Weare
- Steak & Kidney – Wendy Gill
- Steak & Capers – Jackie Wilson
- Beef Ragout – Judy Abra
- Salmon in Curry Sauce – Ivy Smith
- Lemon Cream Pie – Kath Coss
- Passionfruit Pie – Marilyn Dixon
- Christmas Pudding (no eggs) – Brenda Pankhurst
- Easy Fruit Pudding – Kathy Groth
- Australian Coffee Cake – Jan Rose
- Old Style Dundee Cake – Georgina O'Keefe
- Five Minute Cake No.1 – Mavis Brien
- Sponge (Never Miss) – Betty Hayes
- Powder Puffs – Gay Holden
- Beer Batter – Esther Withers
- Brown Tea Cake – Lucy King
- Tartare Sauce (No.1) – Joan Bull
Do any of those family names ring a bell? If you have Bingara connections — or you're researching your family history — this book may hold a wonderful surprise.
The Perfect Gift for Anyone with Bingara Roots
Whether you're a descendant of one of Bingara's pioneering families, a history enthusiast, a genealogy researcher, or simply someone who loves a good old-fashioned Australian recipe, the Allan Cunningham Cook Book is a treasure.
- 📖 First published 1977 by the Bingara Historical Society
- 💰 $22.00 — with FREE shipping anywhere in Australia
- 🎁 We can gift wrap and post to anyone in Australia — just use their address when checking out
👉 Order your copy here — $22 with FREE shipping Australia-wide
Rodney of Rodney's Relics absolutely guarantees returns/refunds for anyone unhappy with their purchase.
📞 Call our Bingara main street shop on 02 6724 1500 with any questions.
Please buy and enjoy responsibly — and may your kitchen be filled with the warmth of Bingara's pioneering spirit!