As a kid, Bernie Shakeshaft's mischievous and reckless behaviour
led him to became known as the wild one of his devout Catholic
family. It isn't surprising that his path led him to the Northern
Territory, a place where people often go to either lose themselves
or find themselves. Bernie, a searcher for his purpose in life,
found himself. He had many jobs, firstly as a ringer on a cattle
station owned by the Packer family, and later as a dingo trapper
for the Parks and Wildlife Service. Throughout it all, he drank, he
swore, he fought, and took chances with his own well-being. But,
crucially, he also developed deep connections with the Indigenous
people, and it was these connections that helped lay the
foundations for what was to come. He worked for youth welfare
organisations, and all the while he built up his knowledge about
helping wayward youths, particularly those from Indigenous
communities. Years later, Bernie was living in Armidale. He'd been
visiting too many kids in prison and going to too many funerals.
The usual methods weren't working so that reckless, mischievous kid
inside him decided he could do better. He started a youth program
called BackTrack, with three aims: To keep them alive, out of jail
and chasing their hopes and dreams. For most, this was their last
chance. Combining life skills, education, job preparedness with
rural work, Bernie threw in one other factor: dogs! And it works.
With the help of these working dogs, the lost boys (and girls) find
their way back on track. These days, Backtrack youth tour the
country competing in dog-jumping trials. Bernie and the BackTrack
team are now supporting other communities in Lake Cargelligo,
Broken Hill, Dubbo and Grafton, and have forged a new beginning for
over 1000 young people. This one man is making a huge difference.
In BACK ON TRACK, bestselling author James Knight tells Bernie's
story and the stories of those whose lives he has saved. It is a
powerful reminder that we should never give up on our kids. 'This
fella Bernie, he's a good fella, a bit of a genius really. What a
great story.' - Russell Crowe
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