As The Westsider’s resident rover of all things west I have had an exciting few weeks as Anthony Callea’s publicist! Over coffee I got the chance to ask him a few nifty questions – here’s what he had to say!
I was born in 1982 and grew up in Werribee.
I loved the swimming carnival in Werribee – I still go swimming every day. Back then it was an old Olympic pool. It’s probably changed a lot since then.
My favourite event was Werribee’s Weerama Fair. It’s a big festival that would happen every year on Watton Street. There would be stalls and live entertainment, I used to perform there.
I went to St Andrew’s Primary and once I was allowed to start walking to school on my own, I used to get a sausage roll at Baker’s Delight. When I was able to start work, I scored my first job at Raffael’s Café on Watton Street.
My parents and uncle used to own the Vic on Hyde Street (now the Hyde Hotel) in Yarraville and I also worked there and sometimes performed on the piano.
One of my strongest food memories of growing up in the West was every Sunday mum used to go down to Bruno’s Delicatessen, next to the bread shop on Watton, and my siblings and I would wait in the car while she went in requesting extra kabana through the window.
We used to scoff it down in the back of the car. I used to love the smell of that place. I absolutely loved it. My mum still brings me deli goods before a concert and it’s the best.
When I head to the West now, I like to visit the Wyndham Estate Winery. It’s such a unique space so close to the City. We truly are lucky.
Anthony Callea ARIA Number 1 Hits in Symphony recorded with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is out now through Sony Music Australia.
Want to know about my adventures in the west? Follow me at www. houseofwebb.blogspot.com.au or facebook.com/houseofwebb
