General News
31 May, 2025
Of course you can do that
A NEW documentary series celebrating bold characters making change in regional Australia, ‘You Can’t Do That in the Bush’, has premiered in Cairns – with its first episodes spotlighting trailblazing entrepreneurs and environmentalists from Far North Queensland.
In collaboration with regional storytellers Blue Clay Creatives and HOLGRO – a platform dedicated to cultivating regional leadership and amplifying the voices of rural and remote communities – the series challenges outdated perceptions of what is possible in the bush.
The premiere was held at Salt House on Tuesday with the stories’ protagonists, industry stakeholders and government officials. The two episodes are now available on Youtube.
Two episodes have been released so far featuring Cairns local Connor Clarke from Plastics Pirate and Torres Straits local Dennis Fay of Salty Monkeys, who are innovating in marine debris repurposing and sisters Sonya Alba-Miller and Liana Hastie from Mareeba, the founders of high fashion brand Sonlia.
More episodes are yet to be announced as the producers are hoping to get funding and sponsorship to continue the series.
“‘You Can’t Do That in the Bush’ is a love letter to the bush,” said executive producer Laticia Braving.
“So many people who have a city postcode have a bit of a misconception around what actually is possible in the country.
“There are extraordinary businesses and world-changing ideas emerging from remote Australia every day — it’s time we gave them the stage they deserve.”
Episode one ‘Plastic Fantastic’ protagonists Mr Clarke and Mr Fay said they wanted for people to take away that there’s lots that could be done for the environment in the Far North.
“Dennis and I met each other through a Parks Australia grant and we were both working on marine debris and ghost net innovations,” Mr Clarke said.
“Salty Monkeys started out creating content online in the Torres Strait promoting the beauty but how do you promote this beauty when you can see so much debris along the beautiful shores,” Mr Fay said.
“Plastic Pirates has been working since 2020 with innovative machines that turn plastic into fuel or melt it down into various building materials, or decking planks, or anything you want and we have quite a following in the Torres Strait, so we decided to join and collaborate to bring all parts of the puzzle together,” Mr Clarke said.
“So I lead the marine debris task force with the Torres Strait Island Regional Council and we do clean-ups across the region with the aim of collecting data and understand what we’re dealing with, so we can come up with innovative solutions with Plastic Pirates,” Mr Fay said.
“Our message to the community with this documentary is that collaboration is key. Without everybody working together the problem that we’re trying to deal with is enormous, and as people become more and more aware of it, means that we can give back to people as well and have successful outcomes,” Mr Clarke said.
To watch You Can’t Do That
in the Bush, visit
