‘Old money’ mean girls howling like hyenas at a young mum… How predictable. Their catty group chat exposes a shameless lie so many Aussie women tell themselves: AMANDA GOFF

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Back in the early 2000s, when I left London to start a new life in Sydney, I quickly realized I’d been told two things that weren’t true.

I realized I wouldn’t have to carry an umbrella anymore. Also, I noticed that Australia doesn’t have the same strict class divisions as the UK.

Let’s go through those points one by one, starting with the weather. Having lived in Sydney for over 20 years, I can honestly say I’ve never experienced so much rain.

I’m not referring to a gentle rain like you’d find in a picturesque European city. I’m talking about serious, damaging floods – the kind that nearly stranded my Airbnb guests and cost me a fortune to repair, only for the whole thing to happen again a year later.

Now, onto that other point – the biggest lie of all: that Australia is somehow classless.

What absolute bloody rubbish.

Okay, so I basically know the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, right? I mean, I’ve spent years exploring every street. And honestly? It’s the snobbiest place I’ve ever lived. Seriously! And that’s saying something, because I actually grew up in Wimbledon – yeah, that Wimbledon, in London – which is pretty fancy itself! But the Eastern Suburbs? A whole other level of… pretension. It’s just unbelievable!

I’ve made Melbourne my home, and while I enjoy living here, it feels just as status-conscious as anywhere else, maybe even more so. In areas like South Yarra, people constantly talk about family money or their time at prestigious private schools like Scotch College and Geelong Grammar.

Just a quick note for those in the UK: Geelong Grammar School in Australia is the priciest private school in the country. Interestingly, King Charles attended for a short period. Also, it’s worth knowing that Australian private schools receive some government funding, and this isn’t usually debated.

Despite appearances, Australia still has a class system. It exists even though there aren’t titles or a traditional aristocracy like in other countries.

The pretentiousness here is even more irritating because the wealthy elite have so much money. At least the British aristocracy, who may be rich in property but short on cash, can joke about their situation. It’s like, ‘Oh, Nigel, our castle is crumbling!’

What’s most frustrating is that Australians often pride themselves on being egalitarian, claiming they don’t have strict social hierarchies and that everyone is treated fairly.

They’re really not like us Pommy snobs.

What absolute horses**t. Don’t believe it for one second.

Spend just a few minutes in affluent areas like Double Bay or Toorak, and you’re likely to be quickly judged based on your background. People will immediately want to know where you went to school, where you live, and whether you were born into wealth or earned your money more recently – and they often look down on those they perceive as ‘new money’.

It’s tough to make broad statements about a country and its people I care about, but Australians often seem to avoid acknowledging that social classes exist here.

This leads to the story of influencer Laura Hazzouri. A video of her packing for a trip to the Maldives, showcasing a luxurious lifestyle, caused some controversy among Sydney’s upper class, who considered it tasteless and overly flashy.

It brought up a familiar argument in Britain: the contrast between established wealth and recently acquired fortunes. Laura was quickly branded as ‘new money’ by her snobbish acquaintances.

Is it fair to judge her like this? I don’t know anything about her family’s financial situation. But people in certain wealthy circles are upset that this mother of three comes from Dubbo, a town in rural New South Wales. A snobby conversation circulating on WhatsApp shows that they’re not only critical of her spending, but also of where she grew up.

People are assuming this woman, who came from a modest background and married a successful property developer, now wrongly believes her lifestyle qualifies her for high society.

Wow, that was surprisingly harsh! I didn’t expect such a negative reaction, especially from Australians. It seems like someone’s being brought down for their success – a classic case of people resenting those who stand out.

You know, I’ve always believed that talking about money just isn’t necessary. Honestly, I don’t have a lot to show off anyway, but even if I did, it would feel a little…tacky. I was raised with a pretty simple rule: keep your finances to yourself, and steer clear of discussing politics. It’s always stuck with me, and I think it’s good advice for a more grounded, comfortable life.

I get that Laura chooses what she shares, and honestly, seeing her post those gorgeous YSL bags (each around $800!), all her Cartier jewelry, and that amazing $3,000 Louis Vuitton beauty case with her 65,000 followers is totally up to her. It’s her Instagram, after all!

What really bothers me is the insincerity of some Australian women who act friendly and relaxed, but aren’t genuine.

Responding to the critical remarks, Laura explained that her family had earned their achievements through hard work. She clarified that she only wanted to share personal experiences, not to compare herself to others or make judgements about their lives.

Laura, you don’t need to explain your actions to anyone – not to me, and certainly not to those judgmental people gossiping about you online. Just ignore them.

I’ll admit something here that still makes me wince. 

I went to a private girls’ school in London, and one student really stood out. She came from the East End and had a distinct cockney accent, which made her feel like an outsider. Unlike most of us who were there because our families could afford it, she’d won a scholarship and truly earned her place.

No one was deliberately unkind, but she often faced lighthearted teasing – the sort of jokes told with a friendly smile. I’m sorry to say I participated in it as well.

We used to tease her about how she spoke, making little jokes at her expense. Then, suddenly, she moved away. Now, looking back, I often wonder – and feel ashamed to admit – if our behavior caused her to leave.

I think class-based meanness isn’t about obvious confrontations. It’s more subtle – things like private jokes, little gestures, and dismissive looks, often shared in group chats like WhatsApp.

Thinking back on how I treated her makes me feel awful – especially considering she’s likely doing much better now. But I’ve definitely learned from it. I now realize it was wrong to let where she came from affect how I treated her, and I wouldn’t make that mistake again.

The situation with Laura Hazzouri is similar to a school bullying scenario, except she isn’t in school and her bullies are adults who are acting immaturely, like spoiled children.

It’s frustrating to see women in affluent areas like Double Bay and Toorak still acting like they’re in high school, especially while denying that social class exists in Australia.

Don’t believe me? Just ask Mrs Hazzouri.

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2026-01-21 15:36