[1] Westlake studied the clarinet with his father and subsequently left school early to pursue a performance career in music.
[1] By the age of 17, Westlake was touring Australia and the world, performing as a freelance clarinetist, bass clarinetist and saxophonist with ballet companies, a circus troupe, chamber music ensembles, fusion bands and orchestras.
[2] In 1983, Westlake studied bass clarinet and composition in the Netherlands[1] and was appointed composer in residence for ABC Radio National in 1984.
[1] From 1987 to 1992 Westlake was resident clarinettist with The Australia Ensemble, and went on to join guitarist John Williams' group Attacca.
[1] In 2008, Westlake founded the Smugglers of Light Foundation in memory of his son Eli, to promote cultural awareness and empowerment through music and film in youth and Indigenous Australian communities.