Cabbage-tree hat

Seeking protection from the sun, early European settlers started to make hats using fibre from the native palm, which soon became popular throughout the colonies.

"[2] During the convict era, gangs of insolent youths were known as cabbage tree mobs because they wore hats.

While on duty in the bush they usually wore patrol jacket and trousers, and wide brimmed cabbage tree hat.

Many of them, I noticed, indulged also in blue serge shirts in lieu of coats, cabbage tree hats, belt supporting leather tobacco pouches, and in some cases a pistol""...

In the country, cabbage palm hats, as large as an umbrella, tied under the throat and sometimes burnt black by the sun, were especially common.