— Distributed by Regional Stories, in partnership with Blue Clay Creatives.
You Can’t Do That in the Bush is a documentary series proving that big ideas aren’t born in a boardroom — they’re born in shearing sheds, sea labs, fashion studios, and kitchen tables across regional and remote Australia.
Produced by regional content production house, Blue Clay Creatives and distributed through Regional Stories, the series shines a light on people doing the extraordinary in the most unexpected places — creating solutions, sparking conversations, and proving that the bush is a place of leadership, innovation, and global impact.
Through cinematic storytelling, our mission is to bridge the divide between city and country — giving regional Australians the recognition, platform, and pride they deserve. Because when we tell our own stories, we change the narrative.
Launched in Cairns — May 2025
The series officially launched in Cairns in May 2025, bringing together filmmakers, industry leaders, and regional changemakers to celebrate stories of innovation and impact. The event marked the beginning of a growing movement to amplify regional voices on a national and international stage.
When two young innovators in the Torres Strait set out to tackle marine debris, they didn’t just clean beaches — they built a micro-factory that turns plastic waste into usable fuel and products.
From a small town in Far North Queensland, Liana Hastie is proving that creativity knows no postcode. As the designer behind Sonlia Fashion, Liana’s couture fascinators and racewear have graced runways and racetracks across Australia — and even the world — all crafted from her studio in Mareeba.
This episode explores how Liana and her team turned their regional boutique into an international fashion destination, fusing craftsmanship, culture, and community pride. It’s a story about resilience, reinvention, and redefining what success looks like when you live far from the city lights.
Support the Series through Documentary Australia
We’re proud to share that You Can’t Do That in the Bush has been officially accepted by Documentary Australia, the nation’s leading not-for-profit supporting films that create real social impact.This partnership enables tax-deductible donations to directly fund new episodes, outreach programs, and community screenings that amplify the voices of regional Australians doing incredible things.Every contribution helps bring more stories from the bush to screens across Australia — and beyond.
When a Northern Rivers vet saw Australia’s wildlife slipping through the cracks, he built a hospital on wheels that sparked a national movement — proving what’s possible when communities act boldly to protect the animals that define us.
Six years ago, Dr Stephen Van Mil noticed a devastating truth: injured wildlife were being treated in general vet clinics without the resources or training to give them the best chance at survival. Determined to change that, he raised over $1.5 million to build Australia’s first mobile wildlife hospital, now saving over 500 species and 10,000 animals a year.The film follows Stephen, head vet Dr Bree, and their growing team as they expand their operations into permanent hospitals in Ballina and Lennox Head, while preparing for a national awareness tour in 2026.
Key Themes:
Wildlife resilience | Innovation in care | Community power | Policy reform | Hope and action
From a farmer with undiagnosed dyslexia to a filmmaker whose debut feature drew praise from Hugh Jackman, Leila McDougall is proving that regional voices not only deserve to be heard — they have the power to transform how we see Australia.Leila’s journey from the paddocks of rural Victoria to the red carpet is nothing short of remarkable. Her debut feature Just a Farmer was made from scratch — no funding, no connections — and became a national success. Now, she’s building a streaming platform dedicated to rural stories, ensuring regional creators have a home and a voice.
Key Themes:
Representation on screen | Overcoming adversity | Mental health in farming | Media disruption
Production: Blue Clay Creatives / VAM Paddock Productions
From Airlie Beach, a small regional team is transforming how the world understands disability and empathy — proving that innovation from the bush can reshape lives globally.
Meet Simon Lowe and Leonie Sanderson, founders of People Tech Revolution, who use VR and AI to help teachers, carers, and health professionals literally see through someone else’s eyes. Their work — from classrooms to the Mayo Clinic — is proof that groundbreaking innovation can come from the most unexpected places.
Key Themes:
Disability inclusion | Empathy through VR | Regional innovation | Co-design with lived experience
Production: Blue Clay Creatives
From the Kimberley to Arnhem Land, Tanya Egerton is transforming fashion waste into opportunity — empowering remote communities and proving that even in the bush, fashion can spark reconciliation, resilience, and radical change.
Through her Remote OpShop Project, Tanya is redefining fashion as a tool for sustainability, dignity, and social enterprise across 45 remote communities. Each op shop reinvests profits into local cultural and youth programs, connecting women across Australia and turning waste into hope.
Key Themes:
Circular economy | First Nations leadership | Women’s empowerment | Fashion for social change
Production: Blue Clay Creatives
Executive Producer / Writer / Director: Laticia Braving
Every episode of You Can’t Do That in the Bush is designed to do more than inspire — it drives awareness, action, and change.
Each film aligns with one or more of Documentary Australia’s impact areas, including:
Through partnerships, education and storytelling, these films elevate the voices shaping a stronger, more sustainable regional Australia.
Help us bring more regional stories to life. Your support — whether through donations, partnerships, or simply sharing these films — ensures that the voices of rural and remote Australians continue to be heard and celebrated.
REGIONAL STORIES acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
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