The cook at a massive cattle station in Australia’s Northern Territory has launched her own recipe book with all proceeds going to help flood-stricken farmers in the area. She calls it "The Stations Helping Stations Cookbook."
Working as the cook on Tipperary Cattle Station – that covers more than 300,000 hectares or more than 741,000 acres near Daly River – is quite different than what Wendy Cox was accustomed to when she ran cafes in the big city of Brisbane, Australia. But it’s a way of life she has gelled to during the past two years, keeping as many as 50 staff at the station well-fed and watered.
That region of Australia is well-accustomed to a wet season from December to April. But this year it’s been particularly wet, with many roads and much infrastructure succumbing to heavy rain and floods. Many farms are underwater and some have been cut off as floods surround them. Livestock have been lost and farmers are desperate for fodder supplies to keep the remaining cattle fed.
And that’s when Cox thought of the idea of launching her own “station-styled” cookbook to sell around the world. She wants to help raise money for local flood funds.
“I’ve been the cook at Tipperary Station since 2024,” she said. “This is the start of my third season. Before coming here I owned cafes in Brisbane for 15 years, so cooking for people has always been a big part of my life.
“Moving to the station was a bit of a life change for me but I absolutely love it. Feeding a big crew every day and being part of station life has been an incredible experience.”
The Northern Territory is a vast rural area home to many cattle stations and communities. Many areas have been badly affected by the floods, as has the 30-kilometer-long driveway of Tipperary Station – almost 19 miles long. It’s currently a challenge to negotiate.
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