Megan Mulquiney disappeared in 1984 — her family still waits for answers

It has been 41 years to the day since 17-year-old Megan Mulquiney seemingly vanished into thin air – an unresolved case that continues to haunt her family, who are still searching for answers.

Big W in 1984, Woden Canberra. (Meghan Mulquinney not pictured).

It has been 41 years to the day since 17-year-old Megan Mulquiney seemingly vanished into thin air — an unresolved case that continues to haunt her family, who are still searching for answers.

On the morning of July 28, 1984, Megan began her shift at Big W in Woden Shopping Centre in Canberra, clocking in at 8.30am.

She was last seen around 12.15pm outside the centre’s western entrance, adjacent to the car park, after finishing work at noon. Megan was expected to catch a bus home.

She never made it back.

Four decades later, there has no been no fresh information and no fresh leads in the case.

At the time, her sudden disappearance stunned the city and devastated her family.

17-year-old Megan Mulquiney went missing in July 1984. Photo: Supplied through Shine The Light and the Mulquiney family.

Megan’s mother Dorothy, father Paul, and siblings Michael and Karen are still alive and still cling to hope that one day they will finally learn what happened to their beloved daughter and sister.

Her family believe “Mum has never left the family home” and that she is still with them.

Cousin Mandi said she speaks to Megan’s mum Dorothy, every single day.

“Every day we call and we talk about Megan. We talk about her for 20 minutes or longer without fail each day,” she told this publication.

Megan was described as a kind-hearted, quiet teenager who cherished her family and rarely went out — except for ice skating with her sister and friends.

A studious girl, she had recently taken up knitting and was known for her sketches and love for the St George Dragons rugby league team.

Megan often went on camping trips with the extended family – cousins, aunts and uncles.

Her mother still holds onto a small blue top Megan had just finished knitting before she disappeared.

Woden Plaza, Canberra in the 1980s, where Megan worked at BigW before she went missing. Picture: Supplied.

The family said Megan was “always smiling” and “just wanted to make others happy”.

This National Missing Persons Week, the Mulquiney family is calling on the public to come forward with any information — no matter how small or insignificant it may seem.

“We all love and miss Megan so very much … we all deserve answers,” the family said in a statement.

“As a family we will never give up hope.”

Megan is one of several still-missing Canberra residents whose cases remain unresolved, among 2,600 nationally.

Shine The Light Missing Persons Australia — a grassroots Facebook page dedicated to raising awareness about missing people across the country — has thrown its support behind Megan’s case.

The page works closely with families to provide free resources, guidance, and visibility for those navigating the difficult and often confusing systems around long-term disappearances.

“Our mission is to ensure that people like Megan are never forgotten,” spokesperson Doret Price said.

An ACT Policing spokesperson said detectives were still investigating Megan’s disappearance and “her profile will be one of the ones highlighted during National Missing Persons Week”.

They reiterated that the case was still open.

Got a story? Email hannah.farrow.news.com.au

Originally published as Megan Mulquiney disappeared in 1984 — her family still waits for answers