A wide-brim country hat has become the symbol of regional Australia , and many of our Ray White Rural and regional members don ’ t leave the house without their favourite headwear .

Not only does it keep the harsh Aussie sun at bay , but it has also become a part of their uniform - a source of pride for those in the rural industry . It ' s a badge of honour , a statement , and a trusted companion .

If you ever find yourself in regional Australia , you ' ll quickly learn there ' s more to the wide-brimmed hat than meets the eye .

Tim Bayliss , director of Ray White Rural Dorrigo | Bellingen ( pictured above ), knows a thing or two about these iconic lids . His number one rule ? Never leave it lying around .

“ If you ' re not wearing it , hang it up . And if you must set it down , always place it with the brim facing up ,” Tim advised .

A seasoned hat-wearer like Tim always has a spare hat on hand , just in case - “ it ’ s just common sense .”

And when it comes to colour , Tim swears by Silver Belly which is a classic fawn hue . Spotting city folk is easy , according to Tim .

“ Their hats are always clean and unshaped . A good hat always carries a bit of dirt , even your best one . A professional knows how to shape their hat just right ,” he said .

The shape of a hat also varies by region . Tim said Queenslanders prefer hats with a wider brim to deal with the

harsh sunshine , while in New South Wales , the style is a bit different , it ’ s flatter , with the sides typically turned up .

Tim also ensures his hat is shaped appropriately , depending on whether he ’ s selling sheep or cattle . To those in the know , the shape of a hat speaks volumes . When it comes to materials , pelt beats wool hands down in Tim ’ s opinion .

“ Pelt is lighter , holds its shape better , and isn ’ t as heavy , which are important qualities when you need a hat that can withstand the odd trampling ,” Tim said .

A hat that goes out of shape easily is his pet hate . Whether it ' s a gust of wind or a knock in the cattle yard , you never know when your hat might end up underfoot . It should stand the test of time and the elements .

But whatever you do , don ’ t try to clean it !

If you ’ re heading into a client ’ s home , the hat comes off , along with your boots . But in the car or around the office , it ’ s perfectly fine to keep it on .

George and Simon Southwell ( pictured above ), the father-son duo behind Ray White Rural Canberra | Yass | Murrumbateman are also firm believers in the power of a good hat .

“ Rule number one is non-negotiable , you never touch another person ’ s hat ,” George said .

A hat , much like a good pair of boots , is an investment . And when it comes to shaping a hat , he prefers using kettle steam .

“ You buy quality shoes , so why wouldn ’ t you buy a high quality hat ?” George asked .

To the Southwells , their hat is a symbol of the rural industry and part of their uniform . It ’ s not just about function or fashion , it ’ s about pride .

“ A hat opens doors , and I always find I get more respect when I ’ m wearing mine ,” Simon said .

Indeed , when Simon and George attended an agricultural event in Canberra , they both wore their hats . During her speech , powerhouse Australian business woman Gina Rinehart even complimented the pair , remarking on how happy she was to see two people taking such pride in their rural roots .

And while hat preferences and etiquette are deeply personal , one thing both Tim and the Southwells agree on is that you can never trust a person with a black hat .

So , whether you ' re a seasoned farmer or a city slicker , wear your hat well , wear it with pride , and most importantly , wear it the right way .

Principal of Ray White Esk | Toogoolawah Jade Jaenke ( pictured above ) has been with the group for 14 years . In fact , she first started at head office working for Paul White when she was 17 years old .

Her hat is very special . She bought it from a local boutique in Esk called ' Little Country Lane '.

“ I think it ' s important to support local small businesses . I purchased the hat for my maternity shoot when I was pregnant with my son Hunter . My mum took the photos on their property in Esk ,” she said .

Hats are also vitally important in Australia . According to SunSmart , more than two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime , while about 2,200 Australians die from skin cancer every year . Unlike a trucker cap , a wide brim hat protects your neck and ears , along with your face , from damaging sun exposure .

Recently , Ray White Rural and Livestock CEO Stephen Nell had a significant skin cancer removed from his ear which resulted in 26 stitches and an ear “ that now looks like Mr Spock ”.

“ While the warm messages of concern have been lovely , the comment that plays on my mind is ‘ better out than in ’. I can ’ t help but think ‘ would be better , if not at all ’,” he said .

“ In the job that we ' re in , on the land , outdoors , driving and on inspections , my message here is - sunscreen and a hat is your best friend . The sun is not your friend . To be the best that we can be , for work or for family , we have to look after ourselves .

“ What would I tell my 21 year old self ; listen , wear SPF and a hat everyday . Please , please do the same .”