About

My name is Tom Hearn. I am an Australian documentary filmmaker, community development practitioner and First Nations ally, and the founder of BushTV, established in 2003.

For more than 20 years, I have worked alongside communities across regional and remote Australia at the intersection of storytelling, cultural governance and community development. My Gurda, Ernie Dingo, has been a mentor and collaborator on selected projects over the years. Our most significant collaboration has been the award-winning Camping on Country initiative, for which Ernie serves as National Ambassador.

I hold a Master of Arts in Documentary and am a Queensland Government Reconciliation Award recipient for community storytelling. My documentaries have screened at national film festivals and TEDx events. My practice bridges story, ethics and systems change.

At the centre of my work is a simple belief: strong stories, grounded in cultural wisdom and local knowledge, can strengthen national identity, local leadership and long-term social change.

How I Work

BushTV is my consultancy and storytelling agency. I created the brand more than 20 years ago, and it has evolved into an external communications partner for organisations seeking clarity, consistency and cultural authority in their public presence.

Through structured agency partnerships, I work alongside Indigenous organisations, health services, foundations, government agencies and purpose-driven enterprises that understand communication is responsibility, not decoration. Where internal media capacity is limited, BushTV becomes a trusted storytelling arm, shaping narrative, producing documentary and campaign content, and building long-term narrative infrastructure.

My approach is relational and grounded in accountability. I do not produce content for activity’s sake. I help ensure your work is understood clearly, ethically and in alignment with your values and community obligations.

Depending on the project, I engage Indigenous producers, presenters and camera professionals, and I have been recognised for my commitment to training and employing Indigenous media practitioners.

If you are looking for a communications partner who understands both story and responsibility, I invite you to learn more.

Explore how we can work together.

For Storytellers

Structured mentorship and editorial partnership for emerging filmmakers developing documentary and any form of story work.

The mentorship supports:

• Ethical storytelling practice
• Narrative structure and craft
• Cultural authority and consent
• Practical filmmaking skills
• Long-term project development

Available as one-to-one mentorship in a structured 10-session program.

A space for people who care about ethical storytelling, cultural authority and building strong narrative skills over time. Members get direct access to me for their projects, behind-the-scenes insights, practical teaching, and opportunities to ask questions and grow in community. It’s an affordable way to stay connected, sharpen your storytelling and build confidence as you develop your own projects.

More About the Mentorship

Camping on Country

Camping on Country is a culturally grounded men’s healing and leadership initiative delivered on Country and guided by local Lore bosses, TO’s and community authority. The program’s National Ambassador is Ernie Dingo, whose lifelong commitment to culture, truth and community wellbeing aligns with the spirit of the camps. Camping on Country has also received national recognition for its impact, being honoured with a national award for community-led health and cultural leadership.

The program creates a safe and structured space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men to reconnect with culture, strengthen identity and prioritise their physical and emotional wellbeing. These are not recreational camps. They are intentional gatherings grounded in respect, responsibility and cultural continuity.

Each camp brings men together with Elders, Leadership and Lawmen for that Country. Participants engage in daily yarning SEWB circles and cultural practices. Men hunt, cook, sing, carve, paint and sit together in honest conversation. Health and wellbeing are approached holistically, integrating on Country health checks, counselling support and mental health first aid in culturally safe ways.

Local health stakeholders and community organisations are engaged to ensure camps are safe, accountable and connected to ongoing care. Participation and outcomes are carefully documented, with follow-up to providers to track impact over time. Local men are employed and involved in delivery and research, strengthening community ownership and leadership.

We won’t be running Camping on Country in 2026 as we consolidate partnerships and prepare for the next phase of delivery.

To learn more about the communities we have worked with, please go to the Camping on Country website.

Find Out More About Camping on Country