Heard an interesting phrase on an Australian TV show and wondered if anyone could explain...

[Jace]

While watching "Halifax: Retribution" on PBS..the phrase "fringe dweller" was said.
I'd never heard that before. Is that a common phrase?
What does it mean?
Anyone?

 

[Warrigal]

Without the context I cannot be certain but in general it would refer to people living on the fringes of society - eg outcasts, unemployed or homeless people, or communes of hippies etc.

Indigenous Australians who live in camps along the river banks would be considered as fringe dwellers.

 

[Jace]

T Y, W, for your reply..it almost sounds better than homeless...

 

[Jules]

One of the terms used here (BC) is ‘living rough‘.

The news media call them campers. It used to be squatters. That white washes the situation.

 

[Bretrick]

That term when used in Australia is almost exclusively used for groups of indigenous Australians who camp on the fringes of towns.
They mostly do this because it keeps them away from police eyes.
Many of them drink heavily and would be locked up if they done this in the town centres.
They have no permanent housing and many of them do not want housing, preferring to sleep under the stars.
Really sorry state of affairs which mainstream Australia turns a blind eye to.

 

[hollydolly]

One of the terms used here (BC) is ‘living rough‘.

The news media call them campers. It used to be squatters. That white washes the situation.

Ours tends to be referred to as ''rough sleepers''