Bingara has always punched above its weight when it comes to remarkable people. In this third volume of Bingara Stories, we shine a light on three locals whose lives were defined by service, quiet courage and an unshakeable love of their community. These are just tasters — the full stories are waiting for you in the books.
Ray Whitfeld M.B.E., O.A.M — The Town's Greatest Champion
When Ray Whitfeld retired from Bingara Shire Council in 1987, a journalist called him the 'Town's greatest champion.' It's hard to argue. Ray served as a councillor for 37 years — 31 of them as Mayor. But titles alone don't tell the story.
During the devastating 1965/66 drought, with no government assistance in sight, Ray formed a district committee, brought in hay and fodder, and distributed it freely to those in need. Bingara Shire became the first council in NSW to tackle drought relief head-on. At one stage the council employed an extra 100 men — and the pay queue stretched past the Sportsmans Hotel.
A decorated World War II veteran, champion cattleman, MBE, OAM and Silver Jubilee Medal recipient — Ray Whitfeld was, as poet Alex Cross put it, 'a person with deep feelings, with a kind and gentle heart, and the welfare of the people he had right from the start.'
Joseph Henry 'Pop' Pankhurst — Anzac of the Year at 93
To the kids of Bingara he was simply Pop — a quiet old man in his favourite chair, wireless tuned to the ABC. But there was always something more to him, and in 1980 the whole town found out what that was.
At 93 years of age, Pop Pankhurst was named RSL Anzac of the Year — the oldest person ever to receive the award. The citation recognised a lifetime of selfless community service: founding the Bingara Senior Citizens Club, nine years on Shire Council, teaching Sunday School for decades, and quietly helping elderly residents navigate their pension paperwork.
Typically, Pop made light of it all. Standing before the gathering he said, 'Here I am Anzac of the Year and I didn't even fight in the war! I was turned down twice on medical grounds — they reckoned I had a bad heart. But when Kaiser Bill heard I was coming, he chucked it in and the war ended.' The room loved him for it.
And every Sunday, he'd pick flowers from his garden in Ridley Street and walk to the hospital to give them to the 'old people' — most of whom were younger than Pop.
Eli Brown — A Friend to All
At the entrance to Gwydir Oval once stood the Eli Brown Memorial Gate — a tribute to a man who touched almost every corner of Bingara life. Shearer, bookmaker, flood warden, sports administrator, Red Cross volunteer, P&C president for 30 years — Eli did it all, and then some.
During World War II, Eli sent a handcrafted shield to Winston Churchill himself — decorated with Australian wool, wheat, gold and a kangaroo — with the message, 'Australia to the people of England, wishing them a very happy Christmas.' Churchill wrote back personally to thank him.
At his memorial unveiling, John Wearne AM said it best: 'Eli Brown was a simple, modest man. What was most certainly not simple were the outstanding deeds and the overwhelming contribution he made to the development and wellbeing of Bingara.' And of all his passions, it was children he loved most — which is why honouring him in a children's park felt so right.
These three stories — and many more like them — are preserved in the Bingara history books available at Rodney's Relics. They make wonderful gifts for anyone with a connection to the New England region.
We can gift wrap and post to anyone in Australia — just use their address when checking out. 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.