We Have Three Jobs…
Keeping Kids Alive
Out of Jail
And Chasing Their Hopes & Dreams
BackTrack is for young people who are having a tough time.
BackTrack works by engaging a community of support, together helping young people to develop healthy foundations for positive life pathways. We do whatever it takes, for as long as it takes.
We’ve been working with young people in and around Armidale NSW since 2006 and have been recognised at local, state and national levels. BackTrack’s approach has a positive impact on young people who need support, and their entire community.
It’s the inaugural BackTrack carwash! 🚗 🧽🚿
A little experiment at the Shed yesterday, with our young people hosting their first community carwash to raise a bit of pocket money for Christmas and the new year. Safe to say it was a resounding success, with the kids handling their own marketing via handmade posters, offering first class customer service with coffee and morning tea while you wait, and raising over $1,000!
As usual, the Armidale community got right behind them, with a few cameos from the local highway patrol vehicles which are now sparkling clean.
Thanks to everyone who came down - a great initiative for the kids to learn financial literacy and independence - and to have so many positive interactions with their community. We might need a few extra hoses for next time!
#backtrack #youthwork #communityjobs
It’s the inaugural BackTrack carwash! 🚗 🧽🚿
A little experiment at the Shed yesterday, with our young people hosting their first community carwash to raise a bit of pocket money for Christmas and the new year. Safe to say it was a resounding success, with the kids handling their own marketing via handmade posters, offering first class customer service with coffee and morning tea while you wait, and raising over $1,000!
As usual, the Armidale community got right behind them, with a few cameos from the local highway patrol vehicles which are now sparkling clean.
Thanks to everyone who came down - a great initiative for the kids to learn financial literacy and independence - and to have so many positive interactions with their community. We might need a few extra hoses for next time!
#backtrack #youthwork #communityjobs
🐣 Hello world.
Nothing like some day old chicks to bring out everyone’s gentler side. We even got to see one hatch!
A special day with the smiles to prove it.
#backtrack #youthwork
🐣 Hello world.
Nothing like some day old chicks to bring out everyone’s gentler side. We even got to see one hatch!
A special day with the smiles to prove it.
#backtrack #youthwork
The man in the big red suit.
This fella came to us over 10 years ago as a 13 year old in trouble. He lived at our residential home, Warrah, until he was 18 and was one of our first BackTrack Works employees.
Today, he’s a family man, a mentor to so many BackTrack kids, a steadfast worker and he’s just completed his final practical assessment for the 2nd year of a fabrication apprenticeship - with flying colours.
Our BackTrack Works Operations Manager Graeme was so impressed with the craftsmanship of his assessment prac (pictured for the tradies in the house), he awarded him this awesome welding kit, donated by one of our supporters.
Bretto - we couldn’t be more proud of you if we tried - 2 years down, 1 year to go and the world is yours to create mate.
#backtrack #legend
The man in the big red suit.
This fella came to us over 10 years ago as a 13 year old in trouble. He lived at our residential home, Warrah, until he was 18 and was one of our first BackTrack Works employees.
Today, he’s a family man, a mentor to so many BackTrack kids, a steadfast worker and he’s just completed his final practical assessment for the 2nd year of a fabrication apprenticeship - with flying colours.
Our BackTrack Works Operations Manager Graeme was so impressed with the craftsmanship of his assessment prac (pictured for the tradies in the house), he awarded him this awesome welding kit, donated by one of our supporters.
Bretto - we couldn’t be more proud of you if we tried - 2 years down, 1 year to go and the world is yours to create mate.
#backtrack #legend
Well that’s a truckload of feral pig traps to close out the week.
Our social enterprise, BackTrack Works, offers training and paid employment opportunities to young people as they graduate out of our core education program. And we tell you what, these fellas are getting good on the tools! Local Land Services contracted us to deliver 60 pig traps by the end of the year to combat the feral pig plague around Glen Innes and Inverell. And here they are delivered, with more on the way next year and our great local supporters GrazAg also offering to sell on commission in the new year.
These were proudly designed and made by our in-house fabrication legends at the Shed in Armidale. Shout out to up and coming tradesmen Brett, BJ, Tye, Justin, Chris and all the others who have pitched in. Top job fellas 🙌🏼🛠️🐾
#backtrack #socialenterprise #jobready #youthwork
Well that’s a truckload of feral pig traps to close out the week.
Our social enterprise, BackTrack Works, offers training and paid employment opportunities to young people as they graduate out of our core education program. And we tell you what, these fellas are getting good on the tools! Local Land Services contracted us to deliver 60 pig traps by the end of the year to combat the feral pig plague around Glen Innes and Inverell. And here they are delivered, with more on the way next year and our great local supporters GrazAg also offering to sell on commission in the new year.
These were proudly designed and made by our in-house fabrication legends at the Shed in Armidale. Shout out to up and coming tradesmen Brett, BJ, Tye, Justin, Chris and all the others who have pitched in. Top job fellas 🙌🏼🛠️🐾
#backtrack #socialenterprise #jobready #youthwork
Remember our teamwork post from a couple of weeks ago with BackTrack Core kids sanding and fixing their lockers for the new workshop space at the shed?
Well… tadaaaa. Full of colour, movement, troopies, paw prints and creative energy. Sounds about right ☺️❤️🐾🎨
* Our November Newsletter has just gone out to supporters. You can have a read here - http://eepurl.com/iEjK7Q and sign up for future editions via link in bio 🙏🏼
Remember our teamwork post from a couple of weeks ago with BackTrack Core kids sanding and fixing their lockers for the new workshop space at the shed?
Well… tadaaaa. Full of colour, movement, troopies, paw prints and creative energy. Sounds about right ☺️❤️🐾🎨
* Our November Newsletter has just gone out to supporters. You can have a read here - http://eepurl.com/iEjK7Q and sign up for future editions via link in bio 🙏🏼
Many hands making light work at BackTrack HQ. Our big week of AGM, board meeting, CEO announcement and farm gathering last week took alot of work from alot of people - all on top of our already busy days working with kids.
Shout out to these turf (s)layers for getting the job done at top speed - a race against the AGM visitors clock!
Our 2022/23 Annual Report is now available to view in the Read & Watch section of the BackTrack website. It’s amazing to look back at what we’ve achieved together and with all of our supporters over the last year or so 🙌🏼🐾
#turfslayers #teamworkmakesthedreamwork #backtrack
Many hands making light work at BackTrack HQ. Our big week of AGM, board meeting, CEO announcement and farm gathering last week took alot of work from alot of people - all on top of our already busy days working with kids.
Shout out to these turf (s)layers for getting the job done at top speed - a race against the AGM visitors clock!
Our 2022/23 Annual Report is now available to view in the Read & Watch section of the BackTrack website. It’s amazing to look back at what we’ve achieved together and with all of our supporters over the last year or so 🙌🏼🐾
#turfslayers #teamworkmakesthedreamwork #backtrack
A few pics of our special gathering at the BackTrack farm this week as we move into a new leadership phase - setting BackTrack up for the long haul, to keep kids alive, out of jail and chasing their hopes and dreams, for generations to come. Starting where it all began in 2006: in an old shed at Grafton Rd, Armidale 🐾⭕️👣
A few pics of our special gathering at the BackTrack farm this week as we move into a new leadership phase - setting BackTrack up for the long haul, to keep kids alive, out of jail and chasing their hopes and dreams, for generations to come. Starting where it all began in 2006: in an old shed at Grafton Rd, Armidale 🐾⭕️👣
Big news for BackTrack this week - our Board announced the appointment of Marcus Watson as Chief Executive Officer, with Founder Bernie Shakeshaft officially handing over the reins.
Marcus has served as Executive Manager at BackTrack since 2018, leading the development and roll out of both our social enterprise and the BackTrack Network.
“When I look at how many lives we’ve changed and how far we’ve come over the last 17 years, it makes me so proud,” says Bernie. “We’ve grown so much and it’s time for me to step a little bit to the side and let Marcus and the team take things to the next level. I cannot think of a better person to step into this role”.
Bernie will remain as Founder and Director and will continue to head up funding and advocacy, as well as special projects and our farm, Cubba Cubbah.
We’ll keep doing the same things that we know work for young people doing it tough, but it is a momentous time as we mark the widely recognised legacy of Bernie and look to the future at the long term support of young people falling through the cracks.
Further together. For the long haul 🐾
We’ll be sending out a full update on what’s been happening at BackTrack via email in the coming days so make sure you’re signed up via link in bio.
Big news for BackTrack this week - our Board announced the appointment of Marcus Watson as Chief Executive Officer, with Founder Bernie Shakeshaft officially handing over the reins.
Marcus has served as Executive Manager at BackTrack since 2018, leading the development and roll out of both our social enterprise and the BackTrack Network.
“When I look at how many lives we’ve changed and how far we’ve come over the last 17 years, it makes me so proud,” says Bernie. “We’ve grown so much and it’s time for me to step a little bit to the side and let Marcus and the team take things to the next level. I cannot think of a better person to step into this role”.
Bernie will remain as Founder and Director and will continue to head up funding and advocacy, as well as special projects and our farm, Cubba Cubbah.
We’ll keep doing the same things that we know work for young people doing it tough, but it is a momentous time as we mark the widely recognised legacy of Bernie and look to the future at the long term support of young people falling through the cracks.
Further together. For the long haul 🐾
We’ll be sending out a full update on what’s been happening at BackTrack via email in the coming days so make sure you’re signed up via link in bio.
Some super days of dog training this week - just in time for our demo and dog jump at the New England Heritage Festival this weekend.
Handling and obedience sessions with Phill @yestrainingfordogs plus some stock dog training with Ian Berry. Lucky kids getting guidance from the best in the biz - and an amazing effort from these up and coming dog handlers 🐾💪🏼
We’ll see you at the Armidale Showgrounds - 2.30 this Saturday afternoon - see @newenglandheritagefestival for details.
Some super days of dog training this week - just in time for our demo and dog jump at the New England Heritage Festival this weekend.
Handling and obedience sessions with Phill @yestrainingfordogs plus some stock dog training with Ian Berry. Lucky kids getting guidance from the best in the biz - and an amazing effort from these up and coming dog handlers 🐾💪🏼
We’ll see you at the Armidale Showgrounds - 2.30 this Saturday afternoon - see @newenglandheritagefestival for details.
It’s been all systems go on the BackTrack farm, Cubba Cubbah, over the last couple of weeks, with water tanks and piping going in, fence lines plotted, a cattle shed / outdoor learning space going up and an ecological survey in full swing.
So great to see which activities different kids gravitate towards. Looks like we’ve got a budding ecologist on our hands with this one! If only we could bottle that smile.
Our giant, open air classroom is taking shape 🌱🐄💦🚜🔨📝
It’s been all systems go on the BackTrack farm, Cubba Cubbah, over the last couple of weeks, with water tanks and piping going in, fence lines plotted, a cattle shed / outdoor learning space going up and an ecological survey in full swing.
So great to see which activities different kids gravitate towards. Looks like we’ve got a budding ecologist on our hands with this one! If only we could bottle that smile.
Our giant, open air classroom is taking shape 🌱🐄💦🚜🔨📝
The Tenterfield community is again dealing with the impact of some serious fires.
Today our team in Tenterfield were joined by a small crew heading up from Armidale.
It looks like it’s going to be a long summer and BackTrack is here to support our community by pitching in and giving back where we can.
#community #village #backtrack
The Tenterfield community is again dealing with the impact of some serious fires.
Today our team in Tenterfield were joined by a small crew heading up from Armidale.
It looks like it’s going to be a long summer and BackTrack is here to support our community by pitching in and giving back where we can.
#community #village #backtrack
A bunch of different activities for all our young people this weekend. The Warrah kids rounded out Children’s Week with a trip to Big Banana and some backflip lessons at Coffs.
Smiles all round - and that’s just from the adults ☺️🐾
EVERY child deserves fun, relaxation and play.
#childrensweek2023
A bunch of different activities for all our young people this weekend. The Warrah kids rounded out Children’s Week with a trip to Big Banana and some backflip lessons at Coffs.
Smiles all round - and that’s just from the adults ☺️🐾
EVERY child deserves fun, relaxation and play.
#childrensweek2023