Dorothy Eileen Westerman September 15, 1929-June 10, 2021
Dorothy Westerman (née Reid) was a pioneer in Taupō’s early development and a woman determined to succeed, despite the role society may have laid out for females in her younger days.
She became one of the first women in the country licensed as a real estate agent, and built this into a successful family business, served on the Taupō Borough and then District Council for a combined total of 21 years, was a keen cook and gardener, took up patchwork and flying and with husband Paul had nine children.
At her funeral on June 16, celebrant Lianne Fraser said even back in her school days Westerman imagined being a major player in the world.
“This was in the day when women were expected to stay at home, raise a family, and not challenge the status quo.”
Grandson Ben Westerman said diary entries from 1965 such as ‘I am going to be the most successful land agent’ and ‘I am going to pass my exams’ were evidence of the goals she set for herself and “man, did she achieve them in spades.”
Westerman was born in Waimiha, near Taumarunui, the second eldest child of 11.
Her father Victor Reid worked on the railways and moved the burgeoning Reid family to Fielding, where she spent the majority of her childhood.
After high school and nurse training she moved to Hastings, where she met builder Paul Lincoln Westerman, marrying him in 1949.
“As a wedding present, somewhat randomly, Paul’s father gave them a section in Taupō on the corner of Tui and Kiwi Streets,” recounted Ben in his eulogy.
The newlyweds pitched a tent and got to work clearing the section of broom and bracken for the first home that Paul was to build.
This house saw the first three of Westerman’s children arrive, and it was also around this time her taste for real estate began.
Noticing an overgrown section for sale on the corner of Henry Hill Rd and Rokino Rd she bought it, cleared it and put it back up for sale. Legendary Kiwi middle distance runner Peter Snell paid three times what Westerman had laid out.
Asked why he chose to deal with a ‘mere housewife’ and not a real estate agent, Snell told Westerman that he had gone to see all of them in town and by the time they made the effort to pull their feet off the desk and stub out their cigarettes, they expected him to drive around and find the properties himself from a scribbled address on a scrap of paper.
“In contrast, Dot was personable, very helpful and to him, she went over and above to get the sale done. This was a key aspect of the success of her career spanning decades.”
However, as well as opportunities, those same chauvinistic attitudes also presented barriers, said Ben.
The Real Estate Institute refused her first application for a licence based on opposition from her competitors.
“Dot knew someone from the Truth newspaper and took the issue to court to have it hear her case, with reporter in tow. Dot recalls one of them exclaiming ‘the silly b---- has nine kids, how can she even think she could do this job?’ To which the magistrate replied ‘the fact she has nine kids to feed is all the more reason this licence should be granted’ and so it was.”
From this triumph in 1966, she went on to build up the real estate business from scratch into an independent brand, before moving to First National and eventually Bayleys, staying involved with the company until 2000, when the business was sold to twin daughters Elaine and Yvonne, to continue the legacy.
As well as time in local government during which Taupō grew from a holiday village to a thriving town and projects like the Great Lake Centre and East Taupō Arterial bypass were completed, Westerman busied herself with involvement in the Taupō Racing Club, even owning a couple of horses, and going back to school to learn te reo Maori.
“Amongst all of this,” said Ben, “Dot thought driving from A to B was a tad boring and could be done somewhat quicker in the air. So… she went and trained for her private pilot licence and literally took to the skies. Even flying with the famous Jean Batten.”
She also tried her hand at home brew, he said, although he couldn’t find anyone to attest to its taste.
Described as nectar from Venus, Westerman labelled her brew ‘Die Happy’ and the drop came with its own warning.
‘Any complaints regarding the quality of this beer must be accompanied by photographs of actual reptiles seen... the brewers recommend that it be consumed only when locked in a cage. IMPORTANT – do not drink while standing up. Also owing to its corrosive ingredients, remove dentures, gold fillings etc before drinking. Brewed and bottled with an eye to the future.’
“It was a life filled with joy and adventure, but wasn’t without its sad times,” said Ben.
His grandmother saw seven of her brothers and sisters pass before her and three of her own children – youngest Rosie, Goldy and Elaine.
As well as mother to nine, Dorothy Westerman (who was 91) had 14 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren
Credit: Stuff.co.nz
