If you ask Ted Mulligan his secret to longevity he will tell you “not dying beforehand”.
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Just days before his 100th birthday, and just as jovial as ever, Mr Mulligan has received the key to Guyra.
Senator John Williams and former mayor Hans Hietbrink presented “the oldest man in Guyra” with the honourable token, in recognition of his contribution to the community.
“Barnaby Joyce asked me … what was the secret to leading a long, healthy life,” Mr Mulligan said.
“I said the only secret I know is not dying beforehand.
“Old age is alright if you’ve got your mental health.”
The event was witnessed by hundreds of Mulligan descendants who had travelled from all corners of the nation to Guyra over the weekend to celebrate his birthday which also coincided with a family reunion.
Mr Mulligan, who is now the last surviving member of his generation in the family, was awarded an Order of Australia in 2006 and is the recipient of 10 bravery and service medals.
He was also a member of the 12th light horse brigade and one of the first six servicemen in Australia to learn to drive tanks in World War II.
Mr Mulligan has also been Guyra citizen of the year.
Two years ago Mr Mulligan was hit by a car and examinations revealed damage to his vertebrae as well as lymphoma.
After a short battle with the disease, Mr Mulligan shocked doctors when he became one of the oldest people in the world to go into remission.
“I got cancer of the blood,” Mr Mulligan said.
“They found out that I had leukemia and I went straight up to Brisbane and was in there for a long time.
“I’m all clear of that now.
“They reckon I’m the oldest person in Australia to go into remission … I said I suppose you said you tell them all that.”
Former mayor Hans Hietbrink was pleased to present the accomplished Guyra citizen with the big gold key on Saturday.
“Ted has been a wonderful asset to this community and has contributed so much over so many years,” Mr Hietbrink said.
Senator John Williams, who had been in Parliament all week, travelled to Guyra especially for the occasion.
“What a great Australian … it’s one of the greatest honours I’ve had as a senator in eight years,” Mr Williams said.
“I’m going to do an adjournment speech in Parliament and then print that out and present it to him.”
Mr Mulligan is still currently patron of six organisations within Guyra and the Northern Tablelands, with no intentions of slowing down just yet.
