Historical information

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.

Significance

These hats are significant because they were manufactured by two iconic Australian companies and sold by an important, long-serving Wodonga business.

Physical description

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.

Inscriptions & markings

Branding and logos on both hats