Toongabbie Christian College

GRACE DE VILLA Student 2016-Present College Captain 2021

Occasionally during lunchtime, six characters would assemble to discuss the laws of physics, fantastical worlds, Palestinian immigrants and feminist prose. This literary society was long established; from its original assemblage was the aspiring writer, whose quill was as sharp and sophisticated as she who held it. The writer’s best friend was also a part of the club’s early years. She was an avid reader of scientific discoveries and Margaret Atwood and was one of the most clever people to have graced the College. Upon secret invitation, a new member emerged - the Francophile. She indulged herself in the worlds orchestrated by French writers and immersed herself in stories of eighteenth-century queens and arranged marriages. Soon, a character of eclectic taste also joined the club. Her interests in obscure literature, feminist prose and psychological fiction granted the other three a foreign insight. And finally, the two most recent members were in the ninth grade and drew the four seniors into fantastical worlds where characters wielded magic and undertook exciting quests. Together, these six formed the most recent assemblage of Wong’s Army. Their meeting place was forever changing, but whether it was beneath the trees, behind the shrubs or in the library, the fifty minutes spent immersed in fictitious reveries and scientific discoveries granted these six an escape from the burdens of secondary school. On a particular day, encompassed by walls of greenery and purple flowers, they discussed the places they had travelled to by page. It began with a playful discussion initiated by the two youngest members and then shifted to the lectures of a renowned professor of physics, which introduced us to The Fabric of the Cosmos and theories regarding space and time. Following the insights of the young academic, the aspiring writer detailed her experiences at Hogwarts and revealed certain secrets of her own book. Next was discussed the conclusion of Norwegian Wood and a brief discussion of unread non-fiction. Finally, the Francophile shared the stories of a Palestinian man who travelled to Montpellier to study medicine. With the remaining time, the six discussed the possibilities of magic universities and archaeological endeavours; their discussions did often move beyond the page. And as the bell chimed, the six farewelled one another and departed silently. Their next meeting was certain, although time and place unsure, for Wong’s Army would remain forevermore.

2016 YEAR 7 PHOTO

2019 SECONDARY COS DAY, FEMALE AUTHORS, GRACE FAR RIGHT

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