Westie (person)

The colloquial term Westie (also spelt Westy) is used in Australian and New Zealand English to describe residents of a city's western suburbs.

Origin of the term

The term originated, and is most often used, in relation to residents of the numerous western suburbs of Sydney, Australia, and of Auckland, New Zealand. It is also frequently used in other Australian cities (such as Canberra and Brisbane). In New Zealand the term is largely confined to Auckland. Some residents of suburbs such as Blacktown, Mt Druitt in Sydney and Waitakere in Auckland might be considered (and in some cases be proud to be) westies.

Sydney, Australia

In Sydney, westies have taken their name from Sydney's western suburbs, a region of suburbs in which the cost of living is generally considered to be less than that of Sydney's more easterly and inner-city suburbs. The former are also known to suffer from higher crime rates, and lower levels of professional employment, however they are home to increasing number of small businesses.

The westie stereotype is perceived by some as being in a state of transition, as Sydney is one of the most expensive places in the world to live. A lot of young families are moving out to the western suburbs due to cheap house prices and new towns that are being built on what was formerly farm land on the outskirts of Sydney.

However, tangible tensions and differences still thrive, which has lead to a backlash by some, especially by those who do not appreciate being called westies.

Westie art is used to described art which reflects the experiences of western suburbs youth. Some Westie Artists include Daniel Fulham from Quakers Hill[1] and Peter Beard from Schofeilds.

Auckland, New Zealand

In Auckland, Westies are almost entirely residents of Waitakere City, in particular the Auckland city-side suburbs of Te Atatu, Henderson, Sunnyvale, Glen Eden, and New Lynn. Some people from Avondale are called by others and themselves westies although Avondale is actually within the territory of Auckland City.

To be called a westie in Auckland is sometimes ambiguous as it can be both a pejorative or good natured, depending on intent. Many people from Waitakere City will call themselves westies with pride, yet not meet the sterotypical criteria.

The shift from a pejorative to an societal identifier has been abrupt an in no small part due to local comedian Ewen Gilmour whose stand-up comedy act as Ewen "Westie" Gilmour gave the term national prominence between 1995 and 2000 in the premier television programme, "Pulp Comedy". He was "unofficially appointed cultural ambassador" for Waitakere City. He was elected as councillor for the Waitakere City Council in 2004 and joins former mayor Tim Shadbolt as sterotypical westies who have entered local body politics.

Well-known Auckland westies include:

Comedian Ewen Gilmour
Singer Jan Hellriegel; who had a minor hit with her song Westie Girls
Tim Shadbolt; former 1960's student radical; former Mayor of pre-amalgamation Waitemata City before moving to Invercargill, where he has also had several terms as Mayor; currently a nationally-known raconteur, guest speaker and local authority politician
Bob Harvey; current Mayor of Waitakere City

Terms pertaining to the westie stereotype

Westies are generally stereotyped as being a certain type of person. This type of person is characterised as being unintelligent, undereducated, unmotivated, unrefined, lacking in fashion sense, working-class or umemployed, etc.

The following is a list of terms which refer to people who fit this stereotype. It should be noted that not all westies fit this stereotype and not all people who fit this stereotype are westies. The term westie is therefore not synonymous with these terms. However, due to the stereotype, the term westie is used with a similar implication.

Australian and New Zealand English terms

Bogan in Australia and Hutt Valley in Wellington, New Zealand.
Bevan in Brisbane.
Chigger in Hobart.
Booner in Canberra.
Yobbo in Adelaide or Perth.
Hoon: Westies or Bogans in 'hotted up' cars (driving above the speed limit, acting uncouth).

Equivalent terms used in other English dialects

Trailer trash (US)
White trash (US)
Chav (UK)
Ned (Scottish) (Scottish, particularly Glasgow dialect)

References

SMH Radar: You are where you live

External links