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BENEATH THE BRIM WITH
Stephen Keir V
Akubra Sixth-Generation Master Hatter
For Stephen Keir V, Akubra is more than a workplace, it's part of his family's story.
As a sixth-generation Master Hatter and Production Manager, Steve carries forward the legacy of the Keir family, descendants of the original family that owned and operated Akubra. Today, from the Akubra Workshop in Kempsey, he leads fur felt production, helping preserve the craftsmanship and techniques that have shaped every Akubra hat for 150 years.
Working alongside the skilled craftspeople in the workshop, Steve ensures the same uncompromising standards continue with every hat that leaves the factory. His role bridges generations of knowledge with the future of Australian hat making, keeping traditional techniques alive while leading production for today's Akubra.
From Hats To The Homestead
WHO ARE YOU & WHAT DO YOU DO?
My name is Stephen Keir and I’m the production manager at Akubra. Outside of work I have a few head of cattle to keep me busy on weekends.
HOW DO YOU FEEL IN AN AKUBRA? WHERE DO YOU GO IN ONE?
I feel very much at home in an Akubra. Whether it's working outside or heading away for a weekend, I almost feel naked without one. Basically everywhere I go a hat comes with me. But if I’m heading off on a road trip, its always a lengthy process choosing what hat I bring.
IF YOUR HAT COULD TALK, WHAT WOULD IT SAY ABOUT YOU?
I think it would say something about me being a jack of all trades. My work is in hats but I also have a passion for agriculture, whilst somehow finding time to head out to sea and fish when the weather's right.
A 150-YEAR LEGACY
AKUBRA IS 150 YEARS OLD, WHAT'S SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NEVER CHANGE?
One thing that definitely should never change is our commitment to quality. It's what the brand is built on and what we’ll keep building on into the future.
You’re wearing an archival Akubra, The Kempsey, part of the Heritage Collection and, something that’s lived in another time. Where would wear it today?
It's definitely a bold style, something you’d wear to a special event. With such a unique finish (Grizzly), it's certainly a statement piece.
If something from the past is carried forward through you in Akubra, what do you want it to still feel like when it reaches the next generation?
Definitely. It’s the attention to quality and detail that we want our new staff to feel as second nature when making our iconic hats. At the end of the day, they are what make the brand as iconic as it is.
HAT 007 / 007 OF THE HERITAGE COLLECTION
Kempsey
The return of the Kempsey is a fitting tribute to both Steve's story and the place Akubra has proudly called home for more than 50 years.
Named after the town where the Akubra Workshop stands, the Kempsey revives one of the brand's original Western styles. It also marks the return of the distinctive Grizzly finish - a richly textured felt not seen in the Akubra range for many years. The unique finish gives the hat a rugged character while celebrating the craftsmanship and heritage that have long defined the brand.
As the final style to return to the Heritage Collection, the Kempsey honours the people, place and traditions that continue to shape Akubra, from the workshop floor in Kempsey to the generations of Master Hatters who have kept the craft alive.
BEHIND-THE-SCENES
STEVE AT THE WORKSHOP
