When the twenty-one leaders attending the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) summit posed for the traditional summit photo in front of the Sydney Opera House, it was Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper who was hoping to wear an Akubra bush hat.
While the other leaders wore the tailor-made, knee-length Driza-Bone stockman's coats that represented the host nation, it was Mr Harper who seemed to be that bit more "fair dinkum" by wearing an Akubra hat given to him as a gift.
Akubra remains the only completely fur-felt manufacturer left in Australia.
Eventually, a cheery Mr Harper took off his hat as official posing for the pool of press photographers began.
Previously, Prime Minister John Howard had told the media that the garb worn in the photo shoot would be very Australian, but ruled any out Speedos and thongs as was cheekily suggested.
While the Driza-Bones worn by the leaders in Sydney had a base colour of the coat's original dark brown, they also included a contrasting colour of each leader's choice from a pallet of four colours said to represent the Australian environment – slate blue of the coastline, mustard yellow for the sun and sand, red ochre for the outback and eucalyptus green for the famous Aussie bush.
The Driza-Bone came into existence a hundred years ago when a sailor fashioned waterproof coats out of windjammer sails for protection against the harsh Australian trade winds. The coats then proved perfect for use by people on the land and quickly became regular outback attire.
For last year's summit in Vietnam, the leaders dressed in colourful, traditional ao dai outfits.
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