Guest Speaker Report
by
Rotarian Peter Douglas
Wednesday 20 May 2009
Our ‘Guest Speaker’ was PP Terry Rohan who was introduced by Janelle Watson.
Terry initially spoke of the great family get together of he and Stephanie, their 4 children and their respective partners along with 10 grandchildren who spent 2 weeks together at Batemans Bay. Following this Terry and Stephanie set off for Tasmania via Melbourne where they spent time in Launceston and Hobart, then off to Port Arthur where he had first met Stephanie some 45 years ago. They also did the historical train trip from Queenstown to Strachan, the gateway to Tasmania’s World Heritage area.
Following their return to Sydney Terry and Stephanie undertook the 25 hour journey to London where they stayed for a time with their daughter.
The next move was on to the Continent where they travelled to Prague in the Czech Republic. Prague has a population of 1.2 million and is the capital of the Czech Republic which was formed with the peaceful separation of the former Czechoslovakia into the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic in 1993. The Czech Republic is landlocked and surrounded by Poland, Germany, Austria and Slovakia. The Czech Republic was admitted to membership in NATO in March 1999 and into the European Union in May 2004
The city of Prague had its beginnings in the 9th century with the building of the Prague Castle. The city has 4 defined areas - the old town which was established in the 13th century, the lesser town which was established in the 14th century, the castle area (Hradcany) and the Jewish quarter. The Hapsburg dynasty ruled the area from 1526 until 1918 and this was known as the Golden Era. The area was occupied by the Nazis during WW2 but fortunately no damage was inflicted by them. After WW2 it was under communist rule until 1989.
Prague has been described as the Heart of Europe and is a beautifully preserved city with amazing architecture, stunning old buildings, narrow winding streets and many famous sights. The Czech people are also renowned for there breweries and good wholesome food. From a tourist point of view it is also a cheap place to visit.
After experiencing Prague Terry and Stephanie returned to England where they ventured to the wilds of Cornwall.
Terry was thanked by Paul White.