Story behind the story of Ted Mulligan

When I first met the jovial Guyra resident, three days before his 100th birthday, he was surrounded by almost 200 other Mulligans at a family reunion.

It was immediately obviously that not only had Ted been the life of the party, but he was also a very well respected member of the community. 

I had first heard about the accomplished New Englander after his named surfaced in a Council business paper, stating that he was to receive the key to Guyra just before celebrating his 100th birthday.

The action would honour his many years of service to the community.

The whole operation was highly secretive because both Council, the state government and the Mulligan family wanted the presentation to be a surprise. 

My mission was to find an angle that wouldn’t reveal the true surprise, but to gain enough information to still be able to write about it.

What I really loved about this story, struck me soon after a Google search where I discovered publications about Ted, revealing his amazing fight for life after beating cancer and surviving being hit by a car.

Further investigation revealed that Mr Mulligan was possibly, according to doctors, one of the oldest survivors of cancer who had gone into remission.

I decided I had to meet this man with nine lives, whether I did a story or not.

After connecting with Mr Mulligan, I was humbled to learn that while he had accomplished more in his 100 years than 100 people might in a lifetime, he was extremely private and didn’t want to make a fuss about his achievements, or even his birthday.

Respecting his wishes I ceased my decision to write about him but I was still intrigued, hoping to one day get the opportunity to ask that lingering question which we all want the answer to – what’s your secret to a long, healthy life?

Is it raw eggs for breakfast? An apple every day?

A few weeks later, still before Ted’s birthday, I received a message from another Mulligan, inviting me along to a giant Mulligan reunion in Guyra.

The day coincided with another event, a walk and bike ride to raise money for a man who passed away from brain cancer earlier this year.

As I drove up the New England Highway between Guyra and Armidale, I began to feel really excited about meeting the famous Mr Mulligan.

When I arrived I was taken aside by former Guyra Shire Council mayor Hans Hietbrink to give me a sneak peak of the town’s key. 

Senator John Williams was also in attendance to present “the oldest man in Guyra” with the honourable token.

When I walked into the room, I was approached by some family members who weren’t sure if I would be able to speak with Ted, however it wasn’t long before we were sitting together and I could finally pop my pressing question – what’s your secret?

“Barnaby Joyce [also] 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 of the 12th and 13th of November, 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 in 1938 and one of the first six servicemen in Australia to learn to drive tanks in World War II.

At 91 years old, just nine years ago, Ted Mulligan headed to Israel, to participate in a special ceremony which dedicated a park and a memorial to the people of Be'er-sheva.

He has even been named Guyra citizen of the year.

Further discussions with Ted revealed more about his dramatic experience two years ago when he was hit by a car in Armidale.

The 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.”

Mr Hietbrink was pleased to present the accomplished Guyra citizen with the big gold key.

“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 is based in Inverell, had been in Parliament all week and 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.

Armed with a great sense of humour, Ted is still patron of six organisations within the Northern Tablelands, with no intentions of slowing down just yet. It’s people like Ted Mulligan, and stories like these that make journalism, in my opinion, the best job in the world.