Will it be Hat Business, or Bluey, for the Australian Audio Awards?

Five‑year‑old Ruby Webb never set out to create an award‑nominated podcast.

She was simply doing what kids do best, laughing through piggyback rides on Aunty Stacey’s back during a sunny beach walk in Townsville, while a very cheeky hat refused to stay on her head.

Somewhere between the salty breeze and the hat popping back on yet again, Ruby burst into giggles and declared, “It’s Hat Business time.”

That joyful moment sparked Hat Business – Fun Stories for Kids, the imaginative children’s podcast now nominated for Best Children’s Entertainment Podcast at the Australian Audio Awards, alongside Bluey: Listen Along.

The awards will be announced on May 28 at Carriageworks, Sydney, on the closing night of Mumbrella360, placing Ruby’s home‑grown idea among Australia’s most recognised children’s storytelling brands.

In a category dominated by global entertainment giants and household names, Hat Business has emerged as a modern‑day David vs Goliath story. Created from a spontaneous beachside moment in regional Queensland, the independently produced podcast now finds itself standing alongside one of Australia’s biggest children’s brands on the national awards stage.

Hat Business follows Ruby and her Hat as they leap into adventures filled with giggles, curious problem‑solving, brave little wins and all the wonderful magic of childhood. Each episode captures moments kids know best, sandy toes, big feelings, tiny triumphs and tumbles that end in laughter.

Ruby’s mum, Townsville audio producer Allison Rasmussen, helped turn the spontaneous idea into a polished podcast through her production company Audio Cowboy.

“For me, this nomination feels incredibly special,” Allison said. “It all started with Ruby at the beach laughing and singing. When she said, ‘It’s Hat Business time,’ it instantly felt like the beginning of something.”

While the stories are driven by Ruby’s imagination and curiosity, the podcast also carries Allison’s award‑winning audio craftsmanship. She previously won Best Achievement in Production at the 2019 ACRAS, but says this nomination feels different.

“This one has Ruby’s fingerprints all over it. Her curiosity, her adventures and her joy are what made Hat Business what it is.” Since launch, the Townsville‑made podcast has become a favourite with families and children aged four to eight, with weekly episodes encouraging imagination, curiosity and sun‑safe outdoor play.

The show has also attracted some familiar voices, with Triple M favourites Guy “Cliffo” Clifton, Cliff “CK” Kern and Steve “Pricey” Price making playful cameo appearances for listening parents.

From a sunny beach walk in Townsville to a national awards stage normally reserved for entertainment giants, Ruby’s Hat Business is a modern‑day David vs Goliath story, proving that big ideas can come from the smallest voices.