Armidale Regional Council would like to acknowledge the passing of passionate Guyra local Ted Mulligan who died yesterday at the age of 104 years and six months
Ted is a local legend in the Guyra and district community and will be greatly missed. His contribution to the town and its residents will be enduring.
Mayor Ian Tiley was fortunate to catch-up with Ted last month before ANZAC Day and was honoured to reflect with Ted on a life well lived.
“It was such a thrill for me to catch-up with Ted and hear about his wonderful life and his great love for horses, family and cricket,” said Mayor Tiley.
“I believe he has touched so many people in the Guyra community and more broadly in the Campdraft and Pony Club community and will be greatly missed.”
Ted was born at Armidale Hospital in 1916 and grew up on Glenore the family property near Guyra. He was one of seven children and like many kids growing up on properties would jump on a horse and ride to school.
Ted was a talented cricketer in his youth and from all accounts had the talent to one day play for Australia, but instead he chose to enlist in the army and serve his country joining the 12th Light Horse Regiment in 1938 at 20 years of age.
His passion for horses was legendary and he only rode ‘good horses’ and was often recognised, in fact his horse was chosen out of 700 to carry the Governor General on an inspection of the Northern NSW Troop.
After the war Ted returned to the family property and his beloved Guyra. In 1958 he established the Guyra Pony Club and was an active member of the Guyra Show Society. He continued to play cricket, playing A Grade until the age of 66. He even made the Golden Oldies side bound for Canada.
Ted has achieved much in his life and has been acknowledged with the Key to the Town of Guyra in 2016 and more recently the ring entry gate at the Guyra Showground has been named in his honour as well as the main cricket ground in Guyra. He was also an OAM recipient. Ted was an outstanding Australian.
Rest in peace Ted.
