BushTV First Nations Story Library for Schools

BushTV First Nations Story Library for Schools

Real stories from Country. Shared by the people who carry them.

Across Australia, teachers are being asked to teach Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures in meaningful and respectful ways.

Many educators want to do this well, but often struggle to find resources that are authentic, engaging for students, and grounded in real First Nations voices.

For more than twenty years BushTV has travelled across Australia working alongside Elders, communities and leaders to record stories on Country.

The BushTV First Nations Story Library is password protected and brings these voices into classrooms through short documentary films designed to support learning about Australian history, culture and identity.

These are not scripted educational videos.

They are real people sharing real stories about the country we live in.

Real voices.
Real people.
Real Country.

Watch a Sample Story

Below is one of the short films from the Untold Stories series which you can license for your school.

These two minute stories are designed to spark conversation in the classroom and help students explore the contributions Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have made to Australia.

Book a Discovery Call with Tom

Untold Stories

First Nations Contributions to Australia

Untold Stories is a series of ten short documentary films bringing forward important First Nations contributions to Australian history that are often absent from mainstream narratives.

Voiced by Ernie Dingo, the series shares stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people whose leadership, courage and talent helped shape the nation.

The films were originally produced to support the national Recognise constitutional recognition campaign and were broadcast across ABC television, NITV and social media, reaching more than one million viewers.

The series is now being made available to schools as part of the BushTV First Nations Story Library, helping students engage with Australian history through authentic Indigenous voices.

Stories in the Series

The series introduces students to remarkable individuals and communities whose contributions shaped Australia.

Stories include:

Reg Saunders – Australia’s first Aboriginal Army officer
Leonard Waters – Australia’s only Aboriginal fighter pilot in WWII
Polly Farmer – one of the greatest Australian Rules football players
Georgia Lee – pioneering Aboriginal jazz singer
The First Eleven – the Aboriginal cricket team that toured England in 1868
World War I Diggers – Aboriginal soldiers who served their country
World War II – Torres Strait – islanders defending northern Australia
Jerry Jerome – boxer and advocate for justice
Eddie Gilbert – legendary fast bowler who dismissed Don Bradman
Colin Lawrence – Aboriginal stockmen and the pastoral industry

Each film is approximately two minutes long and works perfectly as a starting point for classroom discussion.

Teaching Resources Included

Schools that license the series receive:

• Access to the Untold Stories documentary gallery
• A Teacher Resource Guide with background context and discussion prompts
• A Student Handbook with reflection questions and activities
• Stories designed to support Australian history and Indigenous perspectives across the curriculum

The short format allows teachers to easily integrate the films into classroom lessons.

Teachers often use the films to spark discussion about:

• recognition and historical memory
• leadership and resilience
• service and citizenship
• First Nations contributions to Australian society

Why These Stories Matter

For more than sixty thousand years knowledge on this continent has been shared through story.

When students hear stories directly from the voices of First Nations people, something changes.

History becomes real.
Culture becomes alive.
Understanding deepens.

Untold Stories invites students to explore a fuller and more honest understanding of Australia’s past and the contributions First Nations peoples have made to the nation.

School Licensing

Schools can license the Untold Stories series as part of the BushTV First Nations Story Library.

Licensing provides access to the video gallery and downloadable classroom resources for educational use.

Single Teacher Licence

Access for one teacher and their classroom.

$295 per year

Whole School Licence

Access for all teachers across the school.

$1,250 per year

Schools can request an invoice for payment through their school finance department.

Education departments, regional school networks and learning organisations can also enquire about multi-school licensing options.

Request School Access

Teachers and school leaders interested in using the Untold Stories series can request access below.

Email
tom@bushtv.com.au

Or book a short conversation

https://calendly.com/tom-bushtv/60min

About BushTV

BushTV was founded by Australian documentary storyteller and First Nation’s Ally Tom Hearn, who has spent more than two decades working alongside First Nations communities across Australia recording stories on Country.

Tom holds a Master of Arts in Documentary and his work focuses on creating space where communities can share their stories in their own voices with permission and cultural authority.

BushTV operates as an ally.

The aim is not to speak for communities but to support the sharing of knowledge through respectful storytelling.