Guyra oval named in honour of local centenarian

Guyra Recreation Ground oval will be named after civic-minded centenarian Ted Mulligan, after a Sports Council recommendation was endorsed at Council’s March Ordinary Meeting.

The proposal to name the oval Ted Mulligan Oval was submitted by relatives of the 102-year-old Guyra resident, in recognition of his long-standing commitment and dedication to the town and its community.

The submission by members of his family Lindsay Mulligan and Rita Williams says Ted has contributed to the Guyra community for more than 80 years, including the town’s show society, pony club, polocrosse club and district cricket association.

His community service also includes the Zone 13 Pony Club Association (New England Region), Australia Stock Horse Society and Northern Tablelands Cricket Association. Ted is also involved with Guyra’s Sub Branch of the Returned Services League (RSL) of Australia, as a veteran serving in New Guinea in World War II.

“I never thought anything like this would happen to me and I consider it a great honour and a privilege for both myself and my family to have the oval named after me,” Mr Mulligan said.

“I have always been a cricket fanatic and I scored my first century in competition cricket on this ground at around 17 years of age. I have had many good wins on this oval and many floggings too but that is the beauty of sport, you win some and lose some as well, the enjoyment is in competing.”

Armidale Regional Council Mayor Cr Simon Murray said this was a fitting tribute to man who has and continues to do so much for the Guyra community.

“What a fantastic opportunity to acknowledge such an admirable member of the community by naming the oval after Ted,” said Cr Murray

“Guyra is lucky to have a citizen like Ted who has made outstanding achievements throughout his life and has dedicated much of his time to the community.”

Ted, a retired grazier, was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 2006 Queen’s Birthday Honours List and has been the Guyra Citizen of the Year. He has also been awarded the keys to the town of Guyra and has made a lifelong commitment to the community.

Published on 12 Jul 2019