Rediscovering Ginninderra:
Edward Joseph Mulligan
Married: Sarah Ann Coulton
[Research done on Edward Joseph Mulligan to see if he may have been the person responsible for establishing Mulligans Flat Homestead. Researched by Robin Astbury for Hall School Museum & Heritage Centre]
Edward Joseph Mulligan was son of Cornelius Mulligan, an ex convict who served his time in Sydney, and Margaret Farrell (came to Australia a free migrant). They married in Goulburn on 20 Apr 1846 and then moved to Yass where they settled and spent the rest of their lives.
Their son Edward Joseph Mulligan married Sarah Ann Coulton of Oakey Creek, Wallaroo, at Yass on 4th Feb 1878.
Their first child, Patrick Joseph, was born at Ginninderra in 1878. Their second child Cornelius (Joseph or James??) claimed to be born at Queanbeyan (Ginninderra??) in 1879, but can't be located in Birth Index. The remaining four children were born between 1884 and 1890 in Yass.
Patrick Joseph spent only a few years in the Ginninderra region and is most unlikely to have set down roots thereabouts. Had he obtained land and established a homestead it is unlikely that he would have returned to Yass so quickly.
Conclusion: It is most unlikely that Edward Joseph Mulligan was the Mulligan that gave his name to Mulligans Flat.