Meet the Team
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Wayyln Turner
CEO
Barmah Hats
Melbourne, Australia -
Rob Gell
Global Sales Manager
Barmah Hats
Melbourne, Australia -
Rhyys Turner
CTO
Barmah Hats
Melbourne, Australia -
Lakeisha Nevin
Marketing Manager
Barmah Hats
Melbourne, Australia -
Bryyn Turner
Asst. Production Manager
Barmah Hats
Melbourne, Australia -
Brayyd Turner
USA Sales Manager
Red Rock Hats USA
San Diego, US -
Glenn & Gwen Turner
Founders. Since 1990.
Barmah Hats
Melbourne, Australia
The Barmah Hats Story
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2025: Opening our USA distribution warehouse
We opened our San Diego distribution warehouse in early 2025, helping us better support our USA stockists with faster local dispatch and reliable supply.
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2023: Developing Dri-Hide™ hat leather
We worked with a specialist tannery to develop our first Dri-Hide™ leather range, made specifically for hats. The result is a lightweight, water-resistant leather designed for comfort, durability, and performance, using safer chemical processes and REACH-compliant materials.
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2020: The next generation joins the business
The second generation of the Turner family became more involved in the business, continuing the family story and helping guide Barmah Hats into its next chapter.
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2010: A recognised Australian leather hat brand
By 2010, Barmah Hats had become one of Australia’s best-known leather hat brands, recognised for practical, durable hats made for outdoor use.
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2008: Greater control over leather quality
Barmah Hats purchased a dedicated leather finishing facility in Melbourne, giving the business greater control over leather quality, consistency, and product development.
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2008: Refocusing on Australian Operation
During the Global Financial Crisis, the Turner family refocused their efforts on Barmah Hats Australia, strengthening the business at home before future international growth.
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2001: Australian leather hats reach the USA
Barmah Hats expanded into the USA market, introducing Australian leather hat styles to American retailers and customers.
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2000: From small workshops to dedicated production
Over the years, Barmah Hats grew through several Melbourne locations, including North Melbourne, Abbotsford, and Seddon, before settling in Spotswood - our current Melbourne factory and headquarters. Today, Spotswood remains the heart of our business, where our team manages production, product development, packing, and distribution.
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1994: Barmah Hats is established
Barmah Hats was established as a family-run Australian leather hat business, built around practical hats made for the Australian outdoors.
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1990: The first hat was sold
Our founders, Glenn and Gwenda Turner, sold their first hat, beginning the journey that would later become Barmah Hats.
The Stories Behind the Styles
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Squashy
The Squashy was the first hat we designed, and it quickly became a customer favourite. Supplied with its own bag and made with a spring in the brim, it became our “original and unique Hat-in-a-Bag” - a lightweight leather hat that could be packed, folded, and spring back into shape.
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Foldaway
The Foldaway range followed, offering an alternative Hat-in-a-Bag style with a rounder crown and a more structured look. It kept the same practical packable idea, while giving customers a different shape and feel.
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Canvas
Our Canvas range was designed for sun protection, breathability, durability, and affordability. With its wider brim and lightweight material, it became a favourite everyday work hat - the kind you will spot on council workers, farmers, fishermen, and everyday Australians who need reliable outdoor protection.
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Bushie
Our newest style is the Barmah Hats Bushie - a legendary Australian-inspired shape with a western influence. It has more flair and character, while still being fully packable as a Hat-in-a-Bag.
About Barmah Hats
For over 30 years the Barmah Hats team has been hand crafting high quality Australian made hats. Barmah Hats are ideal for all outdoor activities, work and play.
Second Generation Family Owned and Operated
Barmah Hats started as a small family business and has since grown to employ over 20 staff in their Melbourne Factory, creating hats for retailers all over the world. We are proudly Australian owned and Second-Generation family operated.
Designed in Australia, all Barmah Hats must go through a meticulous development phase. We create prototypes, test production quality and find the best materials – all done to ensure our hats meet our high standards.
Supporting Aussie business is important to us.
We work with local suppliers to find the best materials for our hats and pride ourselves in using Australian Leather and Canvas in our hats. From our tags to our crowns - we endeavor to use local resources and business where possible.
Handcrafted by passionate and dedicated members of the Barmah Hats team, you can be assured your Barmah Hat is made to endure almost anything!
Wholesale Focused
We don’t sell direct to the public.
We support our valued retailers to distribute our quality products. For over 30 years we have supplied great quality, highly sought-after products with friendly customer service.
If you’re interested in becoming a retailer of Barmah Hats click here.
Looking for your closest retailer of Barmah Hats? Check out our stockist map.
