Meri Shelley, Brigadier Dave McCammon to hold torch in Anzac Day relay

On Anzac Day this year a torch relay will start in Pozieres, France to celebrate the centenary of Legacy marking 100 years of service to those who have sacrificed. Here’s when the torch will arrive in Townsville.

Legacy window Meri Shelly will one of the Townsville Torch Bearers for the Legacy Torch Relay 2023. Picture: Evan Morgan

On Anzac Day this year a torch relay will start in Pozieres, France to celebrate the centenary of Legacy marking 100 years of service to those who have sacrificed.

The Legacy Torch Relay 2023, presented by Defence Health, will travel 50,000km over six months visiting 100 locations, including Townsville, carried by up to 1500 torch bearers.

The relay will make landfall in Australia first in the port of Albany, WA, where the first convey of ships left for WWI in 1914 carrying Australian and New Zealand solders, horses and supplies.

The Townsville leg of the relay is on May 27 with the torch finishing its journey in Melbourne on October 13.

For the past 100 years Legacy has supported the partners and children of those who have given their lives or health in their service to the country.

Legacy window Meri Shelly will one of the Townsville Torch Bearers for the Legacy Torch Relay 2023. Picture: Evan Morgan

Legacy widow Meri Shelley’s family has had a long connection with military service and she will help carry the Legacy torch through the streets of Townsville.

Her husband, Ken passed away in July last year after a battle with cancer, but although born and raised in Ireland, he immigrated to Australia specifically to join the army and serve his new country.

Mrs Shelley moved to Townsville from Cairns to be with her husband just as the city was caught in the Covid lockdown.

“By the time the lockdown had been lifted Ken had been diagnosed with cancer and could not be immunised so we were cloistered again because nobody wanted to come home and bring anything to him,” she said.

“So that was my life for the last couple of years then all of a sudden he’s gone.

“I am in a new town where I don’t know too many people.”

Exercise Silicon Brolga at Townsville Field Training Area at High Range. Commander of the 3rd Brigade, Brigadier Dave McCammon out in the field. Picture: Evan Morgan

But Mrs Shelley said Legacy has helped bridge the social gap and when the call came for Legacy Torch Bearers she did not hesitate to sign up.

“I am really proud of my husband, he was Irish, and he immigrated here and got citizenship directly to join the army,” she said.

“So I am very proud of that.

“Both my great-great grandparents emigrated from Ireland (to Australia) met and married had eight sons.

“In the first world war two went, Matthew and Thomas, Thomas came home, Matthew was buried in France.

“Then when the Second World War came around she had three of her sons, including my grandfather go plus her eldest grandchild.

“I just look at my great-great grandmother and think how amazing, what a terrible thing knowing after the first one (world war) to watch (more of her sons’ leave).

“When the Second World War came around my granddad was 35 he didn’t have to go.”

“My brother went to Timor and then my husband. He went to Timor, Solomon Islands, Afghan.”

She encouraged the Townsville community to support the relay when it comes to the Garrison City in May.

Townsville Legacy CEO Nicole Hayes said the Townsville leg will begin at 7.30am with 3rd Brigade Commander Dave McCammon carrying the torch from Lavarack Barracks.

Townsville RAAF Base Senior Defence Force Officer Wing Commander Naomi Gill and Mayor Jenny Hill will also carry the torch.

“From Lavarack Barracks and it will travel through the Murray Sporting Complex, then along Charters Towers Road to Anzac Park, along to the Stand and conclude at Jezzine Barracks,” Ms Hayes said.

“There will also be a community day (at Jezzine) for everyone to come on down and watch the cauldron being lit at 12.30pm.

“There will also be a lot of community volunteers helping and supporting along the route so there is a call for people who would like to volunteer in that space as well.

“We are really lucky to have Legacy as part of our community and for the last 100 years supporting families in all of our local communities across Australia.”

Originally published as Meri Shelley, Brigadier Dave McCammon to hold torch in Anzac Day relay