The company which was to become the manufacturer of the iconic Australian Akubra hat was founded in Tasmania in 1876 by Benjamin Dunkerley at his Kensington Hat Mills in Hobart. In 1906 he relocated to a small workshop in Surrey Hills, New South Wales. He was joined by British hatmaker in 1904. In 1911 Dunkerley Hat Mills is registered with seven shareholders and in 1912 Akubra brand was registered. In 1918 Benjamin Dunkerley died and Stephen Keir became the patriarch of the company which was to remain in the hands of the Keir family for five generations. In 2023 Akubra is acquired by Andrew and Nicola Forrest’s private investment group Tattarang to ensure it remained as an Australian company. During its long history Akubra has produced a wide range of styles as well as having a contract for the manufacture of the Australian Military slouch hat. The Akubra “Clubman” first appeared in 1953. Fayrefield Hats were manufactured by the United Felt Hat Company Pty Ltd. in Abbotsford, Victoria from about 1920. The Company operated in a factory formally owned by Denton Hats. They relocated to Eltham, Victoria sometime in the 1940s. The Australian hat manufacturing industry received a major boost in the late 1920s with the introduction of tariffs on imported hats. As well as selling a wide range of men’s hats, Fayrefield also manufactured Australian military hats in the 1960s. Both of these hats were sold by Ewart Bros. Menswear in High Street, Wodonga. Clarrie and Jeff Ewart opened their business, Ewart Bros. Menswear in High Street, Wodonga in 1954. After 45 years of service to the Wodonga community Ewart Bros. closed their doors on Friday 3rd April 1998.These hats are significant because they were manufactured by two iconic Australian companies and sold by an important, long-serving Wodonga business.Two men's hats sold by Ewart Brothers of Wodonga. Hat One is an Akubra Clubman featuring a feather in the brim. Hat Two is a fedora style hat manufactured by Fayrefield of Melbourne. Branding and logos on both hatsaustralian hat makufacturers, akubra, fayrefield, ewart bros. menswear

About the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games donator Doug Pleasance wrote- During the 1980s the Australian wool industry was at its most prosperous times with record numbers of sheep producing wool receiving ever increasing values due to the success of the Reserve Price Scheme, and the overall guidance of the Australian Wool Corporation (AWC). As a humble technichian, my role was a low profile newly created position of “Controller, Technical Marketing” where wool was to be marketed on its technical properties, as distinct from the “Product Marketing Group” which exploited trhe traditional high profile approach of marketing wool;s superior fashion attributes. The Woolmark was the tool central to this approach. The 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games saw an evolutionary change in designer selection. A Declaration of Interest Form was communicated to over forty potential designers. The task and especially tight timelines that were involved deterred many aspirants, however, there remained eight designers with the potential we were seeking. These eight designers were paid $3,000 per submission and the winning designer, Wendy Powitt, was paid $15,000. For the first time the judging panel included two athletes, one male swimmer and one female basketballer, their influence was pivotal. The ensemble consisted of three elements- 1. The Official Uniform which was used for travel and all official functions. This included: a tailored blazer and trouser/skirt (all water repellent) by Fletcher Jones, pure wool olive-green faille fabric by Foster Valley, cotton PE formal shirt by Pelaco, pure wool knitwear by Spangaro, printed wool tie by TD Noone, wool nylon socks by Holeproof and footwear by Hush Puppy. 2. Opening Ceremony Uniform a lightweight wool fabric printed with floral designs that had been inspired by the work of Australian artist Margaret Preston. This included: Lightweight W/PE shorts by Fletcher Jones in Foster Valley Fabric, socks by Holeproof and footwear by Hush Puppy. 3. Village Clothing was designed to be highly visible garments to make it easy to ‘spot the Aussie’ and helped to contribute to good team spirit. This included: A pure wool shirt featuring blocks of contrasting colours, and a newly developed stretch 50:50 wool/cotton fabric by Bradmill was made into shorts and jeans by Fletcher Jones.Straw hat by brand ‘Akubra’ in the style ‘Olympian’, size 59. Sides of crown woven with decorative pattern and hatband printed with native Australian flora. Labels: Akubra / 59 / Olympian / MADE IN AUSTRALIA1992 barcelona olympics, uniform, australian wool corporation, hat

About the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games donator Doug Pleasance wrote- During the 1980s the Australian wool industry was at its most prosperous times with record numbers of sheep producing wool receiving ever increasing values due to the success of the Reserve Price Scheme, and the overall guidance of the Australian Wool Corporation (AWC). As a humble technichian, my role was a low profile newly created position of “Controller, Technical Marketing” where wool was to be marketed on its technical properties, as distinct from the “Product Marketing Group” which exploited trhe traditional high profile approach of marketing wool;s superior fashion attributes. The Woolmark was the tool central to this approach. The 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games saw an evolutionary change in designer selection. A Declaration of Interest Form was communicated to over forty potential designers. The task and especially tight timelines that were involved deterred many aspirants, however, there remained eight designers with the potential we were seeking. These eight designers were paid $3,000 per submission and the winning designer, Wendy Powitt, was paid $15,000. For the first time the judging panel included two athletes, one male swimmer and one female basketballer, their influence was pivotal. The ensemble consisted of three elements- 1. The Official Uniform which was used for travel and all official functions. This included: a tailored blazer and trouser/skirt (all water repellent) by Fletcher Jones, pure wool olive-green faille fabric by Foster Valley, cotton PE formal shirt by Pelaco, pure wool knitwear by Spangaro, printed wool tie by TD Noone, wool nylon socks by Holeproof and footwear by Hush Puppy. 2. Opening Ceremony Uniform a lightweight wool fabric printed with floral designs that had been inspired by the work of Australian artist Margaret Preston. This included: Lightweight W/PE shorts by Fletcher Jones in Foster Valley Fabric, socks by Holeproof and footwear by Hush Puppy. 3. Village Clothing was designed to be highly visible garments to make it easy to ‘spot the Aussie’ and helped to contribute to good team spirit. This included: A pure wool shirt featuring blocks of contrasting colours, and a newly developed stretch 50:50 wool/cotton fabric by Bradmill was made into shorts and jeans by Fletcher Jones.Straw hat by brand ‘Akubra’ in the style ‘Olympian’, size 56. Sides of crown woven with decorative pattern and hatband printed with native Australian flora. Retains original swing tag.Labels: Akubra / 56 / Olympian / MADE IN AUSTRALIA1992 barcelona olympics, uniform, australian wool corporation, hat

A complete replica uniform set of clothing and all items that were or could be worn by a first AIF soldier.Light horse brigade .1) Jacket, 100% wool with cotton lining. 7th Battalion AIF colour patches with a brass A signifying original ANZAC on both sleeves. Right sleeve has sergeant's stripes & 5 blue & 1 red chevron stripes. Left sleeve has 3 brass bars re WIA 3 times. Rising Sun badges on each collar & Australia badges on shoulder straps. Belted at waist. .2) Jodphurs, khaki corded wool. Brass button up fly. .3) Braces, red, white & blue oblique striped. .4) Hat, size 57, khaki Akubra with felt pugaree, leather chin strap, & blackened brass Rising Sun badge on upturned rim. .5) & .6) Puttees, pair, khaki wool felt with khaki cotton tapes. .7) & .8) Boots, pair, size L, tan coloured leather with dark brown leather laces, leather soles with metal reinforcing on heels..1) & .2) Makers labels. .4) Hat: Akubra, Made in Australia; On badge: Australian Commonwealth Military Forces. on hat: "5.7 Akubra Made in Australia"uniforms-army, costume - male footwear, costume - male headwear

About the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games donor Doug Pleasance wrote- During the 1980's the Australian wool industry was at its most prosperous times with record numbers of sheep producing wool receiving ever increasing values due to the success of the Reserve Price Scheme, and the overall guidance of the Australian Wool Corporation (AWC). As a humble technician, my role was a low profile newly created position of Controller, Technical Marketing where wool was to be marketed on its technical properties, as distinct from the Product Marketing Group which exploited the traditional high profile approach of marketing wool;s superior fashion attributes. The Woolmark was the tool central to this approach. The 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games saw an evolutionary change in designer selection. A Declaration of Interest Form was communicated to over forty potential designers. The task and especially tight timelines that were involved deterred many aspirants, however, there remained eight designers with the potential we were seeking. These eight designers were paid $3,000 per submission and the winning designer, Wendy Powitt, was paid $15,000. For the first time the judging panel included two athletes, one male swimmer and one female basketballer, their influence was pivotal. The ensemble consisted of three elements- 1. The Official Uniform which was used for travel and all official functions. This included: a tailored blazer and trouser/skirt (all water repellent) by Fletcher Jones, pure wool olive-green faille fabric by Foster Valley, cotton PE formal shirt by Pelaco, pure wool knitwear by Spangaro, printed wool tie by TD Noone, wool nylon socks by Holeproof and footwear by Hush Puppy. 2. Opening Ceremony Uniform a lightweight wool fabric printed with floral designs that had been inspired by the work of Australian artist Margaret Preston. This included: Lightweight W/PE shorts by Fletcher Jones in Foster Valley Fabric, socks by Holeproof and footwear by Hush Puppy. 3. Village Clothing was designed to be highly visible garments to make it easy to  spot the Aussie and helped to contribute to good team spirit. This included: A pure wool shirt featuring blocks of contrasting colours, and a newly developed stretch 50:50 wool/cotton fabric by Bradmill was made into shorts and jeans by Fletcher Jones.8135.1 - Straw Akubra style hat with Australian native floral printed band. The left hand side has a small hat pin that features the Australian flag with the Olympic rings underneath. 8135.2 - Straw Akubra style hat with Australian native floral printed band. Around the printed band on the right side of the hat is a tag with the hats details.8135.1 - on the inside - Akubra Olympian Made in Australia 8135.2 - on the inside - Akubra Olympian Made in Australia1992 barcelona olympics, sport, athletes, fashion, design, uniform

Colour patch is probably 2/2nd Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment.1. Jacket, wool. Colour sort of grey tinted khaki. Has 4 front pockets. Buttons are darkened AMF type - 4 on front. Epaulettes have darkened "AUSTRALIA" name badge on each collar have darkened Rising Sun Badges. Shoulders have a triangular shaped colour patch. Red and Blue triangle on grey felt triangle. Chest has a ribbon bar showing 4 service medals. 2. Trousers - wool - colour Khaki. 3. Hat - Khaki, slouch. WW1 style hat band. Darkened Rising Sun Badge- AMF. Service ribbons are; 39 - 45 star. Pacific Star. British War Medal. Australian Service medal.Trousers - in green texta - “21-95” in waistline.ww2, uniform, army, passchendaele barracks trust

Slouch hat, Khaki fur felt, leather lining inside, no pugaree on.“Davey 3799339” “D SHUGG” on banduniforms -army, costume - male headwear, slouch hat

RAAF broad khaki fur felt slouch hat, dark blue puggaree, no chin strap, no clips on side turning rim up.“Forrest” possible.uniforms airforce, raaf

Cardboard hat box / Oval Shape Akubra Hats of Quality

Fur Felt Slouch Hat as issued to the Royal Australian Navy. Navy Blue Pugaree and blue metal badge with QE11 Crown.Akubra C.C. 21 JS February 2010

Grey felt School hat with coloured hatband with school colours, blue, gold and green, worn from the late 1960s. Sint Lucernae Ardentes. Inside is written "Akubra" Finest Fur Felt".education, school, hat, morongo, geelong, girls, uniform, boarding, presbyterian, uniting, history, private-girls-school, lucy-shaw, gertrude-pratt, dulcie-brookshaw, 1920-1994, kindergarten-year-12, sint-lucernae-ardentes

Army slouch hat issued to John Nelson Taylor QX25010;2900269;3108420 who served with the AIF 19/1/41-7/12/1945;Regular Army Special Reserve 30/1/1952-29/1/1955 and CMF 1/8/1959-2/1/1960. John was posted to 2/7 Advanced Workshops and saw active service in New Guinea. He again saw active service with the 2 Battalion Royal Australian Regiment in Japan and Korea including action at the Battle of the Hook. He joined the CMF and served with the 8/14 Victorian Mounted Rifles until final discharge on 2/1/1960. He was awarded the 1939-45 Star,Pacific Medal,War Medal 1939-45,Australian Service Medal 1939-45,Australian Active Service Medal 1945-75 with clasp Korea,Korea Medal,United Nations Service Medal (Korea),Australian Service Medal 1945-75 with clasps PNG and Korea,Australian Defence Medal and Returned from Active Service Badge. John was an active member of the Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch, served on the Committee and received a 50 year certificate of service to the RSL. He passed away in January 2021.Khaki felt hat with rising star badge attached to brim turned up on right side. Dark and light blue diamond patch attached to hat band/pugaree.Dunkerley Ltd Akubra Size 6 1/2 Made in Australiaww2, new guinea, korean, japan, 2 bn rar, 2/7 advanced field workshops, 8/13 vmr

Grey felt nurse's hat, broad brimmed with black band with silver and red badge attached.Dunkerley Ltd. Akubra 1969 Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps Badge.nurse's hat

Standard issue item as used by Australian servicemen during the conflict in Vietnam(1962-1973). One of several items donated in memory of Sergeant Trevor J Nicholson, who served in Royal Australian Armoured Corps, C Squadron and B Squadron 1st Armoured Regiment, 1969-70, Vietnam.Slouch hat of brown felt/khaki colored band/golden queens rising sun badge on uplifted side brim/ Hunter river Lancers silver badge on front showing flags, elephant and crown.The Australian Army on Rising sun badge/ Hunter River Lancers Inside hat-Akubra 1988/58/Made in Australia.slouch hat, hunter valley lancers, trevor nicholson, 1st armoured, nicholson, 4410261

Slouch hat complete with puggaree, colour patch, Royal Australian Engineers cap badgeInside crown: "Dukes" written in biro Inside hatband: Dunkerley Ltd, Akubra 1968, 7 1/8, Made in Australia

This hat is part of the former Brighton Technical School girls' uniform. Brighton Technical School was officially opened in Berwick Street, Brighton on 28 July 1922, following a ten-year campaign to establish a local public secondary school. A separate girls' campus was opened two years later at Cora Lynn, a Victorian-era Italianate villa in 45 Cochrane Street. Generations of Brighton students went through the school until it was closed by the Victorian Department of Education in 1991.Navy blue fur felt hat with rounded crown and slighty upturned brim. Navy blue grosgrain hat band with narrow red, gold and brown stripes.Interior label: "CREATED BY / VARDEN / MELB. / 'AKUBRA' FINEST FUR FELT". On the reverse side, the name "Eleanor Clark" is written in blue pen.brighton technical school, school uniform, school hat

Two replica Slouch hats and three standard issue Slouch Hats. Used for Museum Displays and Bendigo RSL Commemorative Services.1. & 2. Two slouch hats, khaki fur felt completes with "Rising Sun" badge, puggaree, khaki coloured, brown leather chin strap and emu plume. Replica. 3. 4. & 5. Three slouch hats, khaki fur felt complete with "Rising Sun" Badge, puggaree, khaki coloured and brown leather chin strap. 3. Maker's stamp on inside leather sweat band. Moth hole in Crown. 4. Maker's stamp on inside leather sweat band. 5. Illegible maker's stamp on inside leather sweatband.Maker's stamp - gold ink. 3. "AKUBRA 1991/ 54^/ MADE IN AUSTRALIA". 4. " ^ MOUNTCASTLE 1992/ MADE IN AUSTRALIA/ 57". 5. " ^ (Illegible) / 53". uniform, headwear, replica, aif, ww1

The Australasian pictorial Magazine issued October 1, 1947. Price 2 shillings. The magazine has 67 pages. On the cover a outback girl in yellow pants, white and red shirt, a red vest and an akubra hat, she is holding a thoroughbred horse. The book is full of photos of Australian people, cities, industries, fields, beaches outback, mountains, indigenous people.book, magazine, the australasian pictorial

During the Great Depression from 1929 to 1932, rabbit trapping was a means of survival for many people. Rabbits provided meat and pelts which were sold for making felt hats such as the Akubra. Rabbit populations are controlled in the 21st century by poisoning, destroying or 'ripping' burrows (warrens), biological control with rabbit haemorrhagic disease and myxomatosis, and by shooting. Rabbit-proof fences also prevent the spread of rabbits into some areas. (ref. Powerhouse Museum) Steel-jawed rabbit traps were widely used in urban and rural Australia from 1880 to 1980. This trap is symbolic of the battle that Australians have waged against burgeoning rabbit populations for over a century. Rabbits cause enormous damage to Australian soils and biodiversity. The introduction of rabbits to this country was an environmental disaster.Two iron rabbit traps. Each consists of a pair of jaws held closed by spring tension and a triggering mechanism. When the trap is triggered the jaws close over the top of the bridge, plate and tongue mechanism that is designed to trigger the trap. A chain is attached by a hook on the bent end of the trap's spring with a long steel spike looped over the last link of the other end of the chain. The trap is designed so that the metal jaws snap shut against each other when the trap is activated by the application of weight to the pressure plate. In use, traps are set with open jaws, buried lightly just below the surface of the earth. When an animal steps on the pressure plate, the jagged teeth of the jaws snap around the animal's leg, usually breaking bone and sinew. Thus the animal is immobilised.rabbits rural trapping

During the Great Depression from 1929 to 1932, rabbit trapping was a means of survival for many people. Rabbits provided meat and pelts which were sold for making felt hats such as the Akubra. Rabbit populations are controlled in the 21st century by poisoning, destroying or 'ripping' burrows (warrens), biological control with rabbit haemorrhagic disease and myxomatosis, and by shooting. Rabbit-proof fences also prevent the spread of rabbits into some areas. (ref. Powerhouse Museum) This trap was used in the Orbost district. Steel-jawed rabbit traps were widely used in urban and rural Australia from 1880 to 1980. This trap is symbolic of the battle that Australians have waged against burgeoning rabbit populations for over a century. Rabbits cause enormous damage to Australian soils and biodiversity. The introduction of rabbits to this country was an environmental disaster.A rusted iron rabbit trap which consists of a pair of jaws held closed by spring tension and a triggering mechanism. When the trap is triggered the jaws close over the top of the bridge, plate and tongue mechanism that is designed to trigger the trap. A chain is attached by a hook on the bent end of the trap's spring with a long steel spike looped over the last link of the other end of the chain. The trap is designed so that the metal jaws snap shut against each other when the trap is activated by the application of weight to the pressure plate. In use, traps are set with open jaws, buried lightly just below the surface of the earth. When an animal steps on the pressure plate, the jagged teeth of the jaws snap around the animal's leg, usually breaking bone and sinew. Thus the animal is immobilised. rabbit-trap rural

These hats were worn by Toorak students as part of the winter and summer uniformHat with prefect bandToorak College winter hat Navy blue hat with school hat band in blue red and gold. Centre front is school badgeToorak College school motto 'In Labore Quies" is inscribed on the band centrehat, toorak college, navy blue, akubra, crest, in labore ques, winter, summer, hats

Steel-jawed rabbit traps were widely used in urban and rural Australia from 1880 to 1980. This trap is symbolic of the battle that Australians have waged against burgeoning rabbit populations for over a century. Despite the fact that most children first learn about rabbits as cute and cuddly animals, rabbits cause enormous damage to Australian soils and biodiversity. The introduction of rabbits to this country was an environmental disaster. Lane's Ace rabbit trap was the most commonly used trap in Australia. Hundreds of thousands of the traps were made and used in this country. As such, this item is representative of every day life in Australia during the period from 1880 to 1980. During the Great Depression from 1929 to 1932, rabbit trapping was a means of survival for many people. Rabbits provided meat and pelts which were sold for making felt hats such as the Akubra.On base of trap - "LANE'S" ACErabbit

This photograph shows a young Wilfred Busse wearing work clothes in the Australian bush. These clothes were all chosen for their practicality in the Australian bush, and create together a distinctive style that is easily recognisable. While it initially appears that he wears long boots, he actually wears shorter shoes with an additional leg protection called gaiters. These protected the legs and were particularly useful to Australian settlers to protect from snake bites. His trousers, or breeches, are of a similar style to the ones issued as Australian Army regulation during the First World War, which were baggy around the thighs and became tighter below the knee. His long shirt protects him from the harsh Australian sun, and he wears an iconic Akubra hat for sun protection on his face. It is assumed that this photograph shows Busse when he was working on a Station in Victoria in his twenties, which is supported by the style of his clothing and his age.This photograph is significant as it shows Wilfred Busse as he appeared in his younger years, presumably on a Station in Victoria. It also provides a primary resource of working clothes for white settlers in the early 20th centuryBlack and white rectangualr photograph on matte photographic paper in wooden frameaustralian settlement, settlement, workmen, work, clothing, workwear, bush, wilfred busse, busse, busse author, chiltern, chiltern athenaeum, chiltern athenaeum museum, 1920s

The conduct of the LA games changed many factors in a short space of time. The Americans made their Games a huge financial success, whereas other countries, e.g. Canada, was left with a huge debt. The key to this was SPONSORSHIP which soon replaced the old Australian way of fundraising with pub raffles. It also began to change the atmosphere where the AWC had previously been valued for their generous donation. There was a move by commercial specialist uniform marketing organisations paying sponsorship money to publicise the fact that they were clothing high profile athletes. Old loyalties remained but became tested more and more as time progressed. For example, each uniform was expected to include an Akubra hat, why? Because it always had. For the same reason the uniforms also had Driza-Bone Coats. The day before the Seoul Opening Ceremony it rained in Seoul, so at the Opening Ceremony the Australian Team emerged in their Driza-Bones, made from cotton, not a wool fibre in sight, and the wool growers were footing the bill for over a million dollars. Thoroughly embarrassed, I resolved to avoid this situation next time by having all uniform fabrics pre-treated with Scotchguard prior to garment making.The scarf is brightly coloured in blue, green, yellow, purple and red on a plain cream base fabric. The lines of colour run on an angle across the fabric as jagged, irregular lines with small motifs of Australia, the Southern Cross stars, fish, triangles and a wave pattern, placed throughout. The centre of the scarf is dominated by a depiction of Australia presented in yellow. Within Australia are eucalyptus leaf shapes as well as mountainous shapes and the wave shape that is featured elsewhere on the scarf. The left hand short hem of the scarf has a differing pattern with larger lines running on the opposite angle to the rest of the scarf. Within the larger lines the same motifs are again printed.

The KHES was constructed from the late 1940s to the early 1960s. Jack Watson worked on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme for 39 years. The photos show a group of men (workers) at the entrance of a tunnel.1. Jack Watson is the worker on the back right hand side with a soft Akubra type hat. 2. Jack Watson at the front on the right hand side. 3. Men not identified. When Jack retired he had been the supervisor of the patrolmen during the last 8 years.Three black and white photos of a group of men in work clothe at the entrance to a tunnel on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme.jack Watson has been identified in two of the photos.jack watson, tunnel workers khes