Transcript:

Introduction
You wouldn’t have expected an ordinary teenager from the isolated town of Wirrawee to
become the devil itself. I mean how could me, Ellie be anything but hell itself. Hell was
what caused this madness, this calamity... In a sense, Wirrawee was sacred ground to
me, it was eccentric, vivid and teaming with vibrancy. The numerous times I gazed into
the sky, mesmerized by its beauty and the friendly community I had grown accustomed,
however that experience was nothing more than a past event, and now I’m fighting for
the sake of my life, friends and family. The place I once called home, had become an
infestation of soldiers and war...

Theme 1: War/conflict
War and conflict consumed the natures of our lives, I can visually recount the moment
we arrived back to town after the trip to Tailor’s Stitch, the unpleasant feeling of unease
was noticeable as the atmosphere was still, almost empty but I could never forget that
horrifying moment when I realised we were on our own… The town of Wirrawee was
invaded, our hometown and lives shattered in an instant. War was the invaders and us
teenagers must fight to save our families and home, who’ve been taken hostage.

I remember Corrie telling me “Ellie, I just can’t believe this is happening. Invasions only
happen in other countries and on TV. Even if we survive this, I know I’ll never feel safe
again.” From my experiences I’ve learned that war can happen at any time and any
place, it’s not secluded to poor countries but at any given moment you could be the
victim. It’s ungiven how criminating war is, I considered it gruelly and unnatured as I
recounted the moment when I saw the “merciless slaughters of people I knew and grew
with”, I fell into a vat of trauma and cowardness. I mean how would it feel if the people
you knew and grew up with, suddenly died you wouldn’t have anticipated it, this
destructive capability war wields.

It's a matter of choosing between life or death, blowing up the bridge while getting shot
and narrowingly escaping death was just the many encounters of war/conflict, it
resonates with us now, trying to forget it would be impossible.
Theme 2: Friendship
The invasion proved to take a toll on my mindset ,as I wanted to crowd into an empty
corner and wait it out, I was a coward. Had it not been for my friends, I doubt any
confidence I had now would have disintegrated. Robyn, Corrie, Fi, Kevin, Lee and
Homer gave me reasoning to move on, before I knew it, it had become the source of
fuel driving my motivation. Homer reassured any displeasure when he said “everyone
calm down, stay calm or we’ll get nowhere. My friends comforted any displeasing
events and nullified fits of anger,​*Pause​ ‘they were family to me’.

We were able to accomplish success through our cooperative thinking, blowing up the
bridge was impossible for an individual but we pulled it off, stopping the supplies of
weapons entering Wirrawee. Or when Lee took a bullet for Robyn saving her. These
unanimous feats proved the value of friendship, friendship is everlasting and soars
above the rest, it was worthwhile to have such loyal companions. I would’ve taken a
bullet for any of my friends, endure mental strains or forceful trauma, whatever it was in
order to keep them safe.

Friendship can accomplish anything...

Theme 3: Survival
Coping with the war without basic knowledge of the environment would prove to be
lethal, survival was a key element I learned carefully. I thought I knew what survival
meant, having spent a week in Tailor’s Stitch brightened my view of surviving but never
did I think it would play a much prominent role than ever. Living in a town like Wirrawee,
gave even the most introverts methods on coping the with the dry terrain. Once war
broke out, we grabbed the essentials and memorials to aid in our survival.

We were able to feign off the invaders and survive in barren conditions, while cultivating
crops and tending to newly born chooks. Survival meant sacrifices, we couldn’t eat hot
meals everyday nor have an everflowing supply of water. Could you imagine only
indulging in wheaty biscuits and powdered milk, you’ld likely grow lethargic within a few
days. Facing death meant survival, on one occasion our group was ambushed, being
pebbled by bullets we utilized the trees for cover, therefore surviving.

This matter proved the difference between life or death, survival was the deciding factor.

Conclusion: ​Tomorrow, When The War Began taught me the many aspects contradicting with
war, friendship and survival. To survives means to face death face to face, without friendship
nothing would be worthwhile and war/conflict shaped our lives for better or worse.