Cindy Malifa (née Wallace) – Class of 1989

Let’s be honest, no one voted me ‘Most Likely to Become a Law Firm Executive’. I was too busy being a pain. Case in point: the legendary Year 12 ambush, where I climbed onto the school roof and pelted unsuspecting teachers with water balloons as they arrived. Back then, I didn’t quite fit the mould. I was loud, opinionated, and a non conformist, but thankfully two teachers saw through the chaos and provided me with a real education; Mr Torcutti made me laugh and encouraged me to be curious; and Mr Kelly made me believe I wasn’t just the class clown and I could write. Their support stayed with me long after I left Wantirna High.

Life took me on some wild rides. After being kicked out of home as a teenager, I carved out a career in IT that spanned 25 years. Then I moved to Bali for 11 years to raise my son before returning to Oz during COVID. At 49, I earned my MBA in Leadership and Innovation — and yes, I thought of Mr Kelly as I doubted myself and handed in my assignments.

These days, I’m General Manager of a law firm, happily juggling strategy, staff, and a serious coffee habit. But no title or degree compares to the friendships I made at Wantirna. The same girls I met back in high school are still my best friends today! We take an annual girls’ trip, laugh until we snort (and bubble snot cry) and remind each other where we came from.

Wantirna High gave me resilience, mischief, and memories — but most of all, it gave me my tribe.