Writer Alice Pung, Speaks to Year 10 English Classes

Alice Pung is an Australian writer, editor and lawyer. Some of her best known books include the memoirs Unpolished Gem (2006), and Her Father’s Daughter (2011), and the novels Laurinda (2014) and 100 Days (2021)

On Tuesday 6 May, Year 10 English classes were lucky enough to welcome Alice Pung who gave a talk on her novel 100 Days, currently being studied by the year 10 classes. Set in 1980s Melbourne, the book asks students to ponder life’s big questions while showcasing some of the ways life for young people in Melbourne has and hasn’t changed. She talked about her characters and about how she gets ideas for her books, sharing some of her experiences as a girl and young woman growing up in Melbourne’s western suburbs. The lively Q&A and long book-signing line that followed gave a strong indication of how much students gained from her insights and of their warm engagement with the book and writer. Huge thanks to Alice for her generous and inspiring words.

Lyn Phelan - English Teacher