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Akubra
In the early 1870s, Benjamin Dunkerley
arrived in Australia, determined to set up a hat making factory.
His skills as a hatter were backed by his ability to invent
machinery, and soon after 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. He moved his business from
Tasmania to Sydney and set up a small factory. Stephen Keir I
joined the business soon after. Whilst working for Dunkerley Hat
Mills, he married Ada Dunkerley. Following Benjamin Dunkerley's
death in 1918, Stephen steered the Company to greater things; he
moved the factory to larger premises, increased production and
began branding the hats "Akubra". The Company won large
contracts for the supply of the famous military Slouch hat in both
World Wars, and in the early 1950s obtained the prized licenced
manufacturing agreement from Stetson of America. In the 1970s,
Akubra moved to its current site in Kempsey. Although modern
techniques are used and new machinery has been installed, the
traditional family values are still clearly evident. Over the
years, Akubra has maintained its ability to be in vogue. Akubra in
fact has become the generic term for hat. Always at the forefront
of the industry, Akubra adorns the heads of State, Royalty,
Presidents, film and sporting personalities - the famous and
sometimes the infamous. Now in its fourth generation of family
ownership, Akubra hats are appreciated worldwide. This Australian
family company is set to move confidently into the next century.
Akubra takes great pride in maintaining the traditions of quality
and style established so long ago in this superb Australian
product.
Our range of styles, colours and trim enable us to cater for a
broad spectrum of tastes. There is an Akubra to suit everyone and
every occasion. Akubra make over100 different
hats, from straws to special releases like "Spirit of
Australia" & some of the more popular lines carried
at CQ Saddlery are, "Bronco", "Areana",
"Outback Club", "Warrego", "Pilbara",
"Colly" and the newest to our stock is the "Rough
Rider". We carry a wide range of sizes and colours and more
than 1000 hats in stock.
Please call 1800 4HORSE or e-mail (cqsaddlery@bigpond.com) us
while our web site is still under construction.
CLICK HERE to purchase Akubra Products online at CQ
Saddlery.
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