Annalise Hudson is a third-generation drycleaner in Werribee. She tells Adem Saban about her strong roots in the area.
How long have you been in Werribee?
My whole life – 41 years. I was born here, grew up here and never left. I went to St Andrews for primary school and then on to Westbourne. I pretty much grew up at the rec centre, playing basketball and netball. I represented Werribee in both. I spent a lot of time just hanging out there between games, too.
What did you do after school?
I went to university for about six weeks to study professional writing in 1994, and then I got into the family business of drycleaning. I worked at the family shop during the day and went to trade school at night. I’m a third-generation drycleaner here in Werribee. My grandfather owned the big drycleaning factory on Station Place, and then we moved to this shop on Watton Street.
Your family has a few political connections, right?
Yes. My [maternal] aunt is Joanne Ryan [federal Labor MP for Lalor] and my [paternal] grandfather was Neville Hudson [the only Liberal MP to hold the state seat of Werribee]. My uncle is former Werribee Shire mayor Peter Hudson. The family is very passionate about politics at family get-togethers. I don’t get involved though – I’m an easy customer.
What’s your favourite thing about Werribee?
Even though it’s quite big now, it’s still a small town in some respects. We get a lot of people coming through the drycleaners that have memories of the Hudson family in drycleaning and remember my family. I remember a lot of them from growing up, too. Werribee has got heaps to offer. This is what I know – this is home.
If you could change one thing about Werribee, what would it be?
I would change that people sometimes feel frightened. Wyndham is a diverse place these days … some people are scared of change and diversity. There isn’t anything to worry about. We don’t get anything here that you wouldn’t get anywhere else. It’s a great place.
What’s life like today?
I have two daughters – Charlie, who is 17, and Peri, who is 12. They’ve both grown up playing basketball and netball. Charlie does clay shooting, too. They’re good girls and have good friends.
