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Tongala Primary book parade brings stories to life

By Jemma Jones

Aug 22, 2025

An epic group of characters were Chett Cox and Kase Tucker from Year 3, Tait Ohlsen, Tex Townsend and Oscar Watson from Year 4 and Zayden Williams also from Year 3. Photo by Jemma Jones

Tongala Primary School dazzled the community with a spectacular Book Week parade on Monday, August 18, launching an exciting week of literary celebration.

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With boundless energy, students eagerly set up chairs around the school’s basketball court.

Each year level then took turns parading, leaving no hands un-slapped in their path.

Harry Potters, Smurfs and Smurfettes, Dr Suess characters, and more leapt off book pages and into the school’s courtyard.

The parade also showcased a range of characters, from mini Harley Reids to Happy Gilmores, prehistoric beasts to doctors.

The highlight was the school staff, led by principal Robert Hogan as Gru, forming an adorable army of minions.

McPherson Media Group journalist Jemma Jones was there to capture the beginning of the week’s Book Week action.

Tilly Emonson and Lucy Gledhill from Year 3 as Thing 1 and Thing 2.

Prep Archie Hughes celebrating his first Book Week going as a turkey and a West Eagles fan.

Melanie Ganzan from Year 1 looks eerily like Wednesday Addams.

Maya Brunt from Year 4 and Willow Todd from Year 3 with Charlie the dog.

Prep Jaxs Verhey takes a job in the police very seriously.

Hanna Hughes and Rubi Emonson from Year 5 making sure to slap everyone’s hand.

Something tells me that blue paint is going to take a lot of effort to remove; but it looks like it was worth it.

Jumping off the pages were Baste Saludares, Logan Campbell and Ethan Campbell from Year 3, Axel Reyes from Year 4, Maxene Rosete from Year 3, and Prep Maverick Rosete.

Gia Duca from Year 2 channeling Tonny’s hometown hero Harley Reid.

Teacher Deena Pridham leading a team of minions, including Kaylee Kades, Scarlett Radford and Anika Haas from Year 6.

The real winners of this year’s Tonny Book Week were the teachers who matched as minions, led by their leader, both fictionally and in real life, Rob Hogan, who dressed as Gru.

All students got in on the Book Week action in any way they could.

By Jemma Jones

Journalist

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