THE book has been three years in the making, and is now on the shelves at Bingara Newsagency – just in time for Christmas.

Bingara: Our Town, Our People Volume 2, by well-known Bingara historian Rod King, is the perfect follow-up to Volume 1, and continues Mr King’s fascinating stories and historical facts about Bingara and the families who pioneered the district.

Sales of volume 2 are also helping Bingara Historical Society, with 80 per cent of the cover price going directly to the society, which Mr King warmly calls the “protectors of our town’s heritage”.

“Buying a copy of the book helps preserve our history for future generations,” he said.

Mr King has again researched thoroughly and deeply to write about the district, with feature stories on local families and individuals.

Bingara historian Rod King with Bingara: Our Town, Our People Volume 2 at his Maitland Street newsagency.

Volume 2 has taken three years of meticulous research by Mr King, who also somehow manages to man the front counter day in and day out at Bingara Books, Toys and Newsagency, the local business he purchased in 1988.

“As a lover and writer of history, I’ve poured my heart into researching and documenting these stories,” he said.

“Every page reflects the dedication to preserving Bingara’s heritage and honouring the people who made our town what it is today.”

Mr King first began publishing stories about the district online and in print quite a few years ago. It was only natural his passionate research and story-telling would extend to books.

“Over time, my love of Bingara history gradually grew, and I started publishing stories in various publication,” Mr King said.

His first book, Bingara: Our Town, Our People was published in 2022, and features engrossing stories and images about the people who shaped the district.

Volume 2, available in-store as well as online HERE, features stories about the fires and floods down through the years, and the making of the historic Gwydir Shire.

Mr King writes about the Ballarat gold mine and the famous Monte Christo diamond mine, and its founder, Captain Charles Rogers.

There is also a chapter about “bushrangers you’ve never heard of” and the Making of the Gwydir Shire.

He writes about the origins of rugby league in the district and the Legends of Minor League.

Another chapter is dedicated to Bingara’s early years from 1852 to 1900, and the pioneers who defied the odds to tame the district.

Mr King, now 81, is Bingara born-and-raised. He joined the bank of New South Wales in 1964 and not long after left the district.

“My first management branch was Lightning Ridge, then Rose Bay and Edgecliff in Sydney,” Mr King said.

“When the bank merged with the Commercial Bank of Australia in 1983, banking culture started to change, so in 1988 I resigned and returned home to buy the Bingara Newsagency.

“I was 44 years old at the time and still love the work and interactions with the town’s people and the large number of visitors,” he said.

Bingara: Our Town, Our People Volume 2 is available online at Rodney’s Relics as well as in-store at Bingara Books, Toys and Newsagency.

“The easiest way for people to get copies is at my online shop – Rodney’s Relics – where we carry many Australian and local history books and biographies, plus lots of other stuff,” Rodney smiled.

Bingara: Our Town, Our People Volume 2 is $29.90 (plus postage), with 80 per cent of all sales donated to Bingara Historical Society.