Billionaire Andrew Forrest and ex-wife Nicola have purchased Australian hat maker Akubra in a multi-million-dollar deal.
The iconic hat brand has been owned by the Kiers family for almost 150 years and has hatted PMs, Diggers and even a Pope.
Outgoing chairman Stephen Keirs says the Forrests are the right people to take over the brand, with their first order of business being to bring the Akubra to overseas markets and make it more popular in Australian cities.
“Absolute hats off to the Kier family; it’s going to be hats on for Australia,” Mr Forrest said on Sunday.
“Australia is the winner out of this, Australia keeps a legacy at home with an organisation who is so proud to be Australian, who is so proud of our nation, our history, everything which our Diggers have fought for.”