NEWS Akubra PO Box 287 Kempsey NSW 2440 • Phone 02 6562 6177 • Fax 02 6562 8726 • www.akubra.com.au • WINTER 2016 AKUBRA SOLE SLOUCH HAT HATS OFF TO SUPPLIER TO DEFENCE RIDE FOR In what can only be Keir III) and he recommended that COUNTRY described as a historic I decline the invitation. Apparently day for this company, we had not been a successful KIDS CYCLISTS representatives from tenderer for quite a few years, so in the end we stopped tendering. the Department of Defence have advised “But Defence were quite the Managing Director of encouraging and I convinced Steve to tender one more time. Akubra Hats, Stephen Keir IV, that Akubra is now “We then received a contract for the sole supplier of the approximately 3,000 slouch hats. I can remember Steve’s grin. I think iconic Slouch Hat to the he was excited to be making these Department of Defence. hats again given our history with ROYAL FAR WEST RIDING FOR COUNTRY KIDS bike riders stop by the Akubra The relationship between Akubra the Department of Defence. It was factory and the famous slouch hats began a very small part of our overall before World War 1 and has always business but a very important part Congratulations to the been a very important part of this of our identity.” 108 bike riders who company’s history. Mr Wilkinson also remembers peddled 380kms to raise “I can remember not long after then General Manager and now over half a million dollars I first started at Akubra in 1997 Managing Director, Stephen Keir IV, for the Royal Far West being contacted by representatives saying to his father, “wouldn’t it be (RFW) Riding for Country of the Department of Defence great if we were one day the sole Kids event. asking us to tender for the supplier of the Slouch Hat”. Every cent of these funds will be upcoming contract,” commented “What he meant was that his family committed to helping country kids Chief Financial Officer Roy had made a deep commitment to through RFW therapy and support. Wilkinson. manufacturing hats in Australia and “I went into then Managing genuinely believed that an iconic Over three days of challenging Director Steve Keir’s office (Stephen part of the Australian Defence countryside, the riders visited Force’s uniform should be Australian Bowraville Central School to see made,” Mr Wilkinson said. first-hand the impact of RFW’s work, rode into Taylor’s Arm with “Today Akubra has achieved this, all seven kids from the local school, now supplying more than 20,000 enjoyed a community dinner in hats a year to Defence personnel.” Macksville and turned heads in the Managing Director Stephen Keir IV Coffs Harbour town centre. said, “I am just sad that Dad isn’t Akubra is thrilled to be a supporter alive to see this. He would have of this awesome initiative which has been thrilled.” raised over $500,000 with more THE ICONIC Australian Slouch Hat donations still coming in. AKUBRA TRENDING ONLINE JIM TAMES THE WILD WEST We would like to welcome Jim Turpin as the new agent for Western Australia. Jim started his wholesale career at age 16 in the 1970’s, and since then has represented We are proud to unveil For example we have included many well-known our new Akubra website information on the process of hat and popular brands, to showcase our iconic making and handy tips for hat care. including Hard Yakka and brand, featuring the Check out the Akubra World pages, Gloweave. ideal combination of designed to keep everyone updated Over the past 38 years, Jim has seen customer-friendly ease of with the latest news and events, many changes in the retail industry, navigation with a fresh then click on TV to see Akubra clips including Australia’s increasing and commercials. and engaging look. reliance on imports, and this has Akubra understands the importance heightened his passion for locally The one-stop-shop for all things of enlisting social media to spread owned and manufactured products. Akubra includes dedicated sections the word, so we have also recently for Hat Collections, History and “I have always been drawn to iconic launched our official Facebook page Australian brands, those that are Craftsmanship, Akubra World, “akubraofficial”, which aims to Corporate Direct and Stockists. family-owned and who put time create increased brand awareness, and effort into not only looking The website is not only aimed at showcase products and build fan after their customers, but their staff engaging and supporting the needs engagement amongst our Akubra too,” Jim said. of our customers and corporate community. “There’s really a nice feel associated clients, but also acts as a valuable The link to this, plus our Instagram resource for staff training. with doing business on behalf and Pinterest pages are available at of Akubra and it’s not just about www.akubra.com.au selling product, but building strong relationships – with the manufacturer, the agent and the retailer.” Jim is looking forward to building on Akubra’s national and international growth and outstanding reputation to ensure the brand continues to flourish in our western regions. He will soon be visiting Kempsey to see first-hand where the magic happens. Good Luck Jim. EDDIE THROWS HIS HAT IN THE RING is there making its mark in the city as the brand has always done in the bush. It’s really about changing attitudes to get more people wearing hats as the norm - schools have No Hat No Play policies, yet many adults don’t know or ignore the importance of sun protection, even in the city.” As the agent for the cosmopolitan and multicultural hub that is Sydney, Eddie is looking forward to sharing the history, storytelling and rich heritage behind Akubra with a new and diverse audience. EDDIE WHITE at the Ameripolitan Music Awards “Part of the attraction for me was the opportunity to work with such We are delighted to opportunity arose to come aboard, an iconic Australian brand, and welcome Eddie White, our he jumped at the chance. I’m excited about spreading the new agent for the Sydney “Ken has always spoken very word, especially with those new to Metro Area to the Akubra highly of the brand and the family Australia who may not know how team. business ethos, so when the Sydney the Akubra is the stuff of legends in agent role came up I decided to the Australian bush.” With an existing admiration and throw my hat in the ring, pun Akubra has also gained a country respect for Akubra, and a highly intended,” Eddie said. successful retail career spanning legend of its own in Eddie White – 35 years, Eddie is the perfect fit to Eddie believes there is a renewed Eddie has hosted his own popular grow the business in the city and appreciation for headwear that radio program for 20 years, Cosmic beyond. combines sun protection with style Cowboy Café on 2RRR in Sydney, and Akubra’s fusion of fashion, the home of Texan Country Music. Eddie has owned and operated quality and practicality means the Eddie was a nominee in “Best three men’s clothing stores in brand is in an ideal position to Ameripolitan DJ” category at the Sydney (City, Dee Why and make hats the new black. 2015 and 2016 Ameripolitan Music Hornsby), and over the years Awards, one of only two non- “Certainly there is a groundswell he’s worked closely with Ken American nominees. Check it out at happening as the inner-city hipsters Mackenzie, (an Akubra sales www.cosmiccowboycafe.com.au agent in Queensland), so when an make hats cool again, and Akubra FAMILIAR FACES IN SEMAPHORE IAN FROM McHALES SHOE REPAIR at Semaphore, a seaside suburb of Adelaide in South Australia, chatting to a group of regulars who make the journey from Western Australia to his store every two years, especially to buy their new Akubras. Looking good fellas, safe travels. LOCAL COMES HOME With a childhood spent beside the Macleay River and a love of the bush lifestyle, Amanda Steger was delighted with her AKUBRA ON-AIR recent appointment as NATIONWIDE Administration Assistant here at Akubra. What do the lush, rolling Amanda now lives on a few acres at green pastures of the Aldavilla, when she is not traveling AMANDA STEGER joins the team Bega Valley share with the the countryside for pony club and Educational Resources”, and is now red desert opal mines of equestrian events with her three enjoying the challenge of very busy Coober Pedy? How about horse-mad daughters. days processing orders from our the footy-loving port city For the past 10 years Amanda retailers and reps. of Geelong and the croc- has worked for “Kookaburra Welcome Amanda. infested riverbanks of Jabiru? These unique locations and News from the factory floor landscapes are just a few of the Changes to stock service Stock deliveries and back places where the air is filled with Please note, the following styles orders the sound of Ray on the radio. will no longer be available from our We continue to experience Every week the popular talkback stock service range effective 1st significant increases in demand from radio broadcaster and rugby league September 2016. These styles will stock service, and we are working commentator, Ray Hadley, hosts then be Indent only available hats: hard to replenish stocks and deliver the Country Music Countdown • Pastoralist Tawny Fawn stock orders on time. - Australia’s top 20 country music • Stockman Santone At present the factory is on overtime songs and brand new tunes, plus • Territory Black and we expect to return to normal interviews with Country artists and • Plainsman Santone stock levels within four to six weeks.