Another DT article .... paraphrased (we'll have to watch for DM to repeat it)
Melissa's school friends think of her as a nice girl who never got into trouble, and who came from Lugarno.
They are shocked and bewildered as to how their curly haired friend became a fraudster.
They grew up in the 70s and 80s in Lugarno (south Sydney) and played outside until dark.
It seemed miles away from Sydney, and was a safe, quiet, middle class suburb.
Most kids there went to Lugarno Public School, then Peakhurst High School.
A girl called Melissa Linabury went to both schools with Melissa (Grimley).
They were close in primary school.
Melissa (Grimley) wasn't tall, she had very, very curly hair. Melissa G went to all of Melissa L's birthday parties since Grade 3, and they had sleepovers at Melissa G's house.
Melissa G's house was lovely, as are her parents ... their parents were friends.
Melissa G lived toward the bottom of Grandview Crescent, the house having a view of the river, and being one of the nicer homes in the area.
Melissa G was very friendly. In 1988 she was in Year 12. Big smile, big hair, looked nothing like she did recently.
They met up again in 2018, at their 30 year school reunion.
Melissa G dressed lovely, had straight hair, they talked for quite a while. Melissa L presumed that Melissa G had 'married wealthy' because of all the o/s holidays, nice car.
Melissa G didn't gloat, wasn't stuck up, Melissa L just picked up on little things.
In high school Melissa G was very quiet, and had a small group of lovely friends. Didn't stand out in the crowd.
Another friend, Susanna Dale, said Melissa G said she was very in love with AK (at the reunion). They both have younger husbands.
Presented as quite wealthy ... jewellery, clothes.
Shane Parry, another friend, said they are all having trouble reconciling their childhood friend with the fraudster. They all really feel for Melissa's son.
Melissa was in one of the top classes in high school, very smart.
Then the article goes on to speak in detail of all the fraud details that we already know.
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