A Place for Authentic Stories
My name is Tom Hearn, and in 2003 I founded BushTV with a vision that would transcend boundaries and ignite change. As an Australian documentary filmmaker and podcaster with strong Celtic roots, I carry a cultural inheritance shaped by the seanchaithe, (pronounced “shan-a-kee”) the old Irish storytellers whose role was to keep memory alive, pass on truth, and bind communities together through story.
Storytelling is in my blood. My Celtic ancestors believed that stories were a form of medicine, a way to hold people steady during hardship, to give meaning to struggle, and to preserve identity across generations. That tradition lives in my work today. It guides my responsibility to listen deeply, to honour people’s truth, and to pass it on with integrity.
That lineage, combined with a deep sense of allyship with First Nations people, set me on a remarkable journey of working alongside Indigenous communities here in Australia and with other First Peoples around the world. I have always been drawn to people who make the world a better place. BushTV has become a platform where authentic stories surface, where voices long marginalised find respect, visibility and power.
Over the years, I’ve forged profound connections with remote Indigenous People and Organisations. They have trusted me not only as a storyteller but as someone who understands the sacredness of culture, the weight of history and the responsibility that comes with carrying someone else’s narrative. Together, we have created stories that build empathy, recognition and cultural pride. In doing so, I have learned that storytelling is not a job; it is a relationship.
People sometimes question whether a non-Indigenous person can walk respectfully within this space. My answer is always found in the work itself. True allyship is not loud. It is steady. It is built on listening, learning and showing up again and again. The trust I have been given by the communities I work with did not come easily — it was earned through years of humility, partnership and a commitment to honouring cultural authority.
I understand the responsibility of holding a platform. I use mine to amplify voices, not overshadow them. Many of the stories I make are volunteer projects, created simply because they matter and because my online community supports this mission as much as I support them.
My journey shows that story knows no borders. It crosses cultures, carries wisdom, and builds bridges between worlds that might otherwise remain apart. When done with respect, story becomes a shared path toward understanding and belonging.
In this ongoing pursuit of justice, equality and cultural appreciation, let us continue to work together — celebrating diversity, lifting each other’s voices, and ensuring that every person’s story finds its rightful place in the great tapestry of humanity.
How I Work
I have worked with change makers from the earliest stages of campaign development. I utilise cultural leadership teams across Australia. Our story teams are multilingual and offer community-based messaging in specific remote languages. Community-based people are the experts of their community and, as such are an integral part of all campaign development. When we empower local lived experience community people to be the experts in their own community good things happen. Community engagement actually works. Campaigns gain traction. Stories are shared and talked about. Why? Because everyone watching it knows the people and places in the story. Their universe is centred and this does not often happen for people living on the margins or in remote locations.
Why I Work
Culturally aligned localised storytelling is the key to successful communication strategies. A national campaign is a series of localised remote stories in various languages representing the diversity of people across Australia. As a strategic communicator, my mission is to deliver essential messages appropriately and ensure the right audience sees, hears, and enjoys the stories. Often I help Organisations create internal platforms that carry their branded stories. Social media and youtube have democratised who can have a media platform. You don’t have to be rich to have your own platform. But you do need to have a purpose and a burning desire to make the world a better place. Authenticity and integrity drive social impact.
Who I Work With
Many stories include people from Australia and increasingly all over the world. If there’s an incredible social impact driver with a story to tell, I do my best to support them with stories and campaign assistance. A story campaign without a strategy often falls short of creating social impact and change. Much of the work me and my team do is strategic and behind the scenes. The stories are often a byproduct of a solid campaign idea. When campaigns come together and gain traction, Organisations often say, ‘well that worked well’. This gives me a profound sense of purpose and satisfaction and reminds me that stories are an essential part of who we are as humans; no matter where we are from.
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STORIES
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REMOTE COMMUNITIES
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SATISIFIED CLIENTS
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AWARDS WON
WHAT WE DO
MY PORTFOLIO
I specialise in cultivating enduring relationships with social impact legends all over the world, maintaining long-term partnerships rather than engaging in sporadic projects. My expertise lies in crafting compelling narratives and orchestrating impactful campaigns and media content strategies that align with our clients values. I possess a diverse skill set encompassing storytelling, campaigning, fundraising, video production, editing, design and print, radio, web, and social media, allowing me to execute multi-channel campaigns seamlessly.
The fruits of my labour are prominently displayed on various platforms, including television, social media, radio, web, extensive email networks, community video and radio hubs. Occasionally, I create content for esteemed national film festivals and conferences, although I seldom rely on funding grants. Making the world a better place just doing what I love is what drives me.
Most of my clientele comprises Indigenous-controlled organisations or individuals who entrust me with their projects. Additionally, I often venture into documentary production for television, collaborating with individuals with a unique message and a visionary outlook. Furthermore, I devote my time to volunteering in the prison and hospice space, aiding individuals to find their own story, especially those nearing the end of their life.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, please be aware this website and its social media platforms contains images of deceased persons.
I acknowledges all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the nation.
I recognise the original Custodians of Country, their ongoing connection to the land, sky, seas, cultures and communities – paying my respects to Elders, past and present.
