History

Portland Drycleaning & Laundry Service has been continuously operating for over fifty years. Bob Gladman (dec) ran Gladman’s Drycleaners next to the current location for several years. When the supermarket was built, Bob re-located to the current site at 28 Percy Street Portland where he & wife Una ran the business until their retirement. Bruce & Joy Wallace from Mount Gambier purchased the business from the Gladman’s and continued to service the Portland area for a twelve year period.

In 1995, Terry Gleeson started work for the Wallace family as their Tradesperson Drycleaner. Four years later in July 1999, Terry purchased the business from the Wallace’s where he continues to operate today. Portland Drycleaning & Laundry Service offer efficient, professional service to Portland & District. Prior to 1999, the Laundry only operated for a half day per week. It now operates six days per week, twelve to sixteen hours a day. The laundry side of the business has grown considerably. With a staff comprising of six full time employees, Portland Drycleaning & Laundry Service provide a quality service to South West Victoria. This Portland business is dedicated to employing local people.

Brought up in Port Fairy by parents James & Kathleen Gleeson, Terry is the second youngest of nine children. Mary (eldest), Michael, Brendan (dec), Gerard, Anthony, Brian, Damian, Terry & Kevin. Most of Terry's family still reside in Port Fairy.

Terry commenced employment with the Hudson brothers from Werribee as an apprentice Drycleaner in 1985. In 1988 in his third year, he was appointed general manager of their Sunbury Plant. Peter & Jim Hudson along with Bruce & Joy Wallace have been instrumental with helping to format the career path for Terry.

Community Involvement

Terry has served as a volunteer Firefighter with the Country Fire Authority since 1985. He held the position of Secretary of the Port Fairy Fire Brigade for a five year period and was Second Lieutenant for one year. He still serves today as Assistant Secretary of the Brigade and was made a life member in 2003.

Terry is the Area Manager of the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal for Port Fairy & District and has co-ordinated the Appeal in Port Fairy since 2002. The Appeal raises approximately $10,000.00 each year in the Port Fairy District with help from various Service Clubs, Emergency Services and general members of the community.

Vision

The vision for Portland Drycleaning & Laundry Service is to be able to continue to provide excellent customer service backed up by a quality product at affordable prices. We believe that quality assurance can only be obtained & maintained by a well educated staff committed to providing a quality product for our clientele. Because Portland Drycleaning & Laundry Service provides service to several towns in the ‘Great South West’, we provide local employment to Portland & district residents. We believe that this alone must contribute to the overall success of other businesses due to wages being spent in our district.

Growth Strategies

• Public Support of Local Business
• Staff Contributions for Successful Business Productivity
• Reduction in Running Costs
• Advertising & Promotion
• Loyal, Supportive Customer Base

Market Share

Portland Drycleaning & Laundry Service maintains market share by promoting the business on the internet as well as in local print. We believe that the best form of advertising is word of mouth. This works for us! It is also our belief that if we are confident & competent in delivering satisfaction to our clients, then we will maintain and increase the market share.