Stepping through the gates of BackTrack for the first time, every kid hears something that both shocks and soothes them - you can’t get kicked out of BackTrack. The program is transforming the lives of regional youth across the country with the sole purpose of keeping kids alive, out of jail and achieving their hopes and dreams.
At the helm is Bernie Shakeshaft, Now based in his hometown of Armidale, NSW, the self-confessed former wild child completed his schooling in Sydney, an experience he describes as a ‘bit like letting a feral cat out of a potato sack’. As soon as he could, Bernie hightailed it to the Northern Territory to work on cattle stations for the best part of 12 years,
Realising he also had a natural affinity for working with troubled youth, Bernie began helping countless kids across remote communities in the NT. After heading back to NSW, he took on a formal role in youth development with TAFE but quickly discovered the barriers of red tape.
Tasked with a particularly tough bunch of 20 kids to have work ready by the end of their final schooling year was no small feat. When the time came, one had been sent to jail, one tragically died and the remaining 18 were still struggling. Yet Bernie was instructed to move on and simply start working with the next group coming though. It didn’t sit well. What would happen to those kids, passed off all over again? And so began BackTrack in 2006.
While he was given an old shed from the local Council, and a handful of mates put their hands up to help out, Bernie had no funding and no business plan - but what he did have was the group of 17-year-olds from TAFE who were still finding their way. Fifteen years later, with more than 1000 young people through the program, there’s not a business in town that Bernie will walk into without seeing someone who’s come through BackTrack.
“To see a kid who was incarcerated a dozen times and now I see him with his own family and finishing an apprenticeship, that’s what we’re all about,” Bernie says.
“To watch them come out the other side is incredible.”
Through a huge range of programs that help build confidence and real life skills, BackTrack takes a hands-on approach to learning and sets kids up for meaningful engagement within their communities. It’s particularly well-known across the country for its Paws Up program, with dogs teaching young people lifelong lessons in trust, self-discipline and self-confidence.
While funding and finding the right people to run the program is an ever-present challenge, BackTrack is now in demand by communities willing to support and drive it. More than 150 communities are on the waiting list and it’s Bernie’s dream to be able to deliver it to every kid who just needs to hear something they’ve never experienced before.
“We don’t give up on kids, ever, ever, ever.”
Learn more about BackTrack here.
Photo: Simon Scott