| Msgr. Patrick S. Brennan |
|
Perth is a city of 2 million people with a futuristic skyline overlooking the Swan River on the southwest coast of Australia . It is sometimes described as the "loneliest city in the world." The nearest comparable city, Adelaide, is 1,680 miles to the east. This has created a spirit of independence on the part of the inhabitants. Founded in 1829, it was first a colony of free settlers; but out of commercial necessity, it eventually brought in convicts. Margaret River is about 150 miles south of Perth and is one of Western Australia's delights: an area of world class wineries, wildflowers, spectacular caves, and some of the country's best surf beaches. An upscale town, one sees the latest Mercedes next to an old VW camper. It is a weekend getaway for Perth's well-to-do.