//Foreword//
An ordinary hoodie
had a new Australian migrant
searching desperately for two years!
Even after finally fulfilling his dream,
some said
he was now "officially an Australian"!

#01:

Two-Year Hunt at Bunnings Ends in Success for Canadian Migrant

In Australia, Bunnings is not just a well-known hardware chain—it’s a symbol of a unique "lifestyle." One of its limited-edition annual products is even considered a badge of "true Aussie identity."

Josiah Hein, a migrant from Canada, embarked on a two-year "dream chase" for this very item.

And recently, he finally succeeded!

In Australia, Bunnings is a magical place. On the surface, it’s just a hardware store, but whether you're a construction worker, a DIY enthusiast, or a newly arrived migrant, almost everyone falls under its spell.

For 37-year-old Canadian migrant Josiah Hein, Bunnings was his "starting point" for integrating into Australian life.

Since moving to Australia two years ago, Josiah had been eyeing the limited-edition merchandise Bunnings releases annually for trade customers. The item he coveted most? The legendary Bunnings hoodie.

Though he works as a teacher, he persistently asked around about how to get his hands on this iconic hoodie.

But things didn’t go smoothly.

"Australians absolutely love Bunnings—it’s beyond just shopping, it’s almost like a religion. Ever since I arrived, I kept seeing people wearing that hoodie, but every time I asked, staff said they were all gone," Josiah said with a wry smile.

However, persistence pays off. After two years of searching, his chance finally arrived last month.

When he learned that the Bunnings store in Burleigh Waters, Gold Coast, was hosting an early-morning trade breakfast, Josiah quickly signed up using his trade account. Despite being half-asleep, he rushed to the event—and there it was: his long-awaited hoodie!

#02:

Excitement Goes Viral, Netizens Joke: "Now You’re Officially Australian!"

Overjoyed, he shared his triumph online: "I can’t believe I finally got it!"

His enthusiasm resonated with countless Australians. One joked:

"Now all you need is a straw hat to complete the look!"

Another declared:

"You’re officially an Aussie now!"

Originally, Josiah started making these videos to share snippets of his life with his nieces and nephews back in Canada. But his genuine curiosity and heartfelt reactions to Australian culture also won him a local following, earning widespread praise.

Many don’t realize that Bunnings’ trade breakfasts are a perk for PowerPass account holders—a way to enjoy breakfast, network with other tradies, and snag exclusive merch.

Though Josiah is a teacher, he qualified by holding an ABN (Australian Business Number) for a side hustle.

"Technically, if you have an ABN, you can apply for a PowerPass. I did, and it worked," he explained.

Final Thoughts

A seemingly ordinary hoodie
might mean nothing to most,
but Josiah’s journey
shows how migrants embrace Australia,
bit by bit.
Here, even a hoodie
can become a cultural bridge—
a thread of belonging.