Akubra is Australian for Hat

In 1874 Benjamin Dunkerley arrived in Tasmania from England and decided to start a hat making business in Hobart. His skills as a hatter were backed by his ability to invent machinery, and soon after his arrival he had developed a mechanical method of removing the hair tip from rabbit fur so the under-fur could be used in felt hat making. Previously this task had to be done by hand.

In the 1880's Dunkerley moved the business to Crown Street, Surry Hills, an inner suburb of Sydney, setting up a small hat making factory.

In 1902 Stephen Keir I, who had also migrated from England, joined Dunkerley. Keir had hat making experience from England, and was seen as a valuable acquisition for the business. In 1905 he married Ada Dunkerley, Benjamin's daughter and soon after was made General Manager. Since that time the hat making firm has been in the hands of succeeding generations of the Keir family. In 1911, the business became Dunkerley Hat Mills Ltd, and had a mere nineteen employees.

The trade name "Akubra" came into use in 1912. The increasing popularity resulted in the move to larger premises in Bourke Street, Waterloo and expanded production, especially of Slouch hats during World War I. Soon after all hats were branded Akubra. When Dunkerley died in 1925, ownership of the business transferred to Stephen Keir 1. The business continued to flourish and when Stephen Keir retired in 1952 he was succeeded as Managing Director by his eldest son, Herbert. His second son, Stephen Keir II, served as General Manager and became Managing Director in 1972. His son, Stephen Keir III, became Managing Director in 1980. Another son, Graham, joined the firm in 1972, first as sales representative for Northern NSW and later as National Sales Manager. Unfortunately, Graham died prematurely in 1987. The fourth generation of the Keir family continues the succession, and Stephen Keir IV, son of Stephen Keir III, is now General Manager.
Akubra Highlights in a Snapshot

1914 - 1918 and 1939 - 1945
Supplier of hats to the Australian Defence force during both World Wars. 80% of production during World War II was for the Army Slouch Hat.

1950
Akubra Hats approaches the John B. Stetson Company in the USA with regard to producing Stetson hats under License in Australia. Following a visit by Stephen Keir II to the Stetson company, and a return visit by technical representatives from Stetson, a licensing agreement was signed in 1951.

1956
Akubra supplies all Olympic athletes with hats during the 1956 Olympics.

1974
Akubra Hats relocates from Sydney to Kempsey on the New South Wales Mid North Coast. The move was made more attractive because of decentralisation incentives offered by the State Government.

1984
Akubra Hats form part of the Olympic uniform during the Los Angeles Olympic Games.

1986
Akubra Hats signs an historic agreement with the World's number one golfer, Greg Norman. During the period of the agreement Greg Norman wears the famous "Great White Shark" and "Fairway" during every competitive golf tournament. The agreement is a first for Akubra and places the brand name on the world map.

1988
All Olympic athletes wear Akubra Hats during the opening ceremony of the Seoul Olympic Games in Korea.

1990's
Akubra's long tradition of giving priority to quality is formally acknowledged with the Certification for Quality Assurance Standard ISO 9003.

1991
Akubra Hats becomes one of the first sponsors on the women's professional surfing circuit with its agreement with Australia's World No 1 surfer Pam Burridge.

1992
Akubra Hats again form part of the Olympic team uniform at the Barcelona Olympics in Spain.

1994
Soon after the announcement that Sydney had won its bid to host the 2000 Olympic Games Stephen Keir III declared that Akubra would create an Olympic Games fund for its employees. The company committed to contributing $6.00 per week for each employee who also contributed $4.00 of their own money. This would give every employee enough money to attend the Olympic Games, should they so desire. A fund balance of more than $320,000 meant each employee received more than $4,000 to either buy tickets to the games, or use the money however they desired.

1996
Akubra signs an agreement with country music performer Lee Kernaghan and launches the "Outback Club" hat as Lee's signature hat.

2000
Akubra Hats becomes an official licensee of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, with its hats being worn by all medal presenters during medal ceremonies.

2001
Akubra Hats is one of six companies awarded Centenary of Federation Stars at an award night held in South Australia, ranking with Australian Icons such as BHP Billiton, Qantas, Fosters, Hills Industries (Hills Hoist) and Holden.

2005
Akubra becomes a foundation member of the Slim Dusty Foundation, acknowledging its long association with Slim Dusty, an icon of Australian country music.