The moment everyone had been waiting was finally here - today Australian Prime Minister and Pacific Islands Forum Chair Kevin Rudd would unveil his choice of outfit for the time-honoured leaders’ photo.

For both the media and the general public alike this photo opportunity is often the highlight of the regional summit, held this year in balmy Cairns in tropical north Queensland.

Each year we watch on with amusement as heads of state grin and grimace in the compulsory garish outfit, meant to depict the host nation’s traditional style.

Last year’s example from the tiny island nation of Niue:

So with much anticipation as to what the Australian style will be, the media bus bounces along the outskirts of Cairns towards the secret location for today’s photo shoot.

Will we see colourful Ken Done-esque shirts or woolly ugg boots, we muse?

Abruptly, the bus pulls up opposite an innocuous tropical park and some 25 journalists and photographers pile out into the clearing.

Swatting jungle-sized mosquitos we loiter around until some 20 mins later an energetic Kevin Rudd comes bounding down the grassy slope.

Everybody does a double take because it appears he’s wearing something plucked from his own wardrobe.

But no, on closer inspection the long-sleeve blue business shirt does indeed bare a 40th Pacific Islands Forum emblem.

Rudd’s sensible and safe choice for leaders included a blue shirt and a pair of leather riding boots, both crafted by renowned Australian boot-maker RM Williams.

The rest of leaders are running late so the media pack gets almost 30 mins to chat to the prime minister.

Just a casual chat, no questions please, Rudd’s people say.

Rudd exchanges pleasantries with a few of the familiar media faces and proceeds to warn us all about the dengue-fever carrying mosquitos that live in the Queensland tropics.

Slowly we watch as Rudd works the gaggle of journalists like the consummate diplomat.

His style of interaction is personable, natural and oddly disarming.

Instead of the usual complaints about tardy politicians, Rudd keeps everyone entertained by posing with anyone who wants a photo.

He charms New Caledonian reporters with a smattering of French and then impresses Japanese journalists with his polite utterances.

Suddenly hardened journalists are giggling and jostling to get in line for a shot.

It’s a strange sight to behold.