Former journalist Peter Greste’s Akubra missing in Hobart

Peter Greste’s Akubra hat has survived the bowels of the Egyptian prison system — but not Hobart’s waterfront with his trusty companion going missing.

Veteran journalist Peter Greste and Australian actor Richard Roxburgh at Darwin's Deckchair Cinema ahead of the screening of 'The Correspondent'. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

It’s been in the bowels of the Egyptian prison system, played a movie cameo and a constant companion for former foreign correspondent Peter Greste — but now the much loved soft akubra is missing.

The International Akubra has been described as soft, squishy to pack easily in a bag, much loved, slightly worn and with a bit of dust.

Mr Greste believes it dropped out of the car outside Frank Restaurant at Franklin Wharf on Monday about 6pm while he was visiting Hobart to attend preview screenings of The Correspondent, a film sharing his Egypt experience where he was arrested.

Speaking nearly four days later, Mr Greste said there had so far been no leads.

“We can safely declare it’s still missing,” he said.

“This one means a little bit more than the average akubra with the history attached to it.

“They don’t make any more like it, and I won’t get another quite like it.”

The International Akubra is a soft felt and he remembers buying his trusty companion during a trip home to Sydney 15 years ago.

“It’s been a constant companion when I was in Africa, visiting Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan and Somalia,” Mr Greste said.

“It’s been part of my work uniform.”

When he was arrested in Egypt, the hat was stuffed into a plastic bag with the remainder of Mr Greste’s clothes.

“I thought I was never going to see that hat again,” he said.

“When they released me, I got my crumpled clothes and it was still in there. I was genuinely overjoyed to see it.”

Journalist Peter Greste with actor Richard Roxburgh who portrays Greste in the newly released film The Correspondent. Picture Lachie Millard

It has since become an iconic part of the former journalist’s look, with TV producers insisting it played a cameo in The Correspondent.

Mr Greste remained hopeful of being reunited with the lost Akubra.

“I think someone picked it up quite innocently. I’m pretty sure it dropped onto the road when we got out of the car outside Frank Restaurant.

“I’m hoping when someone realises the emotional attachment I have with it that they can send it back.

“I don’t normally get overall attached to things, but this is a little more significant than your average item of clothing.”

If found, Mr Greste’s Akubra can be returned to the ABC Hobart office.

Originally published as Former journalist Peter Greste’s Akubra missing in Hobart