BackTrack Youth Works

BackTrack Youth Works BackTrack keeps kids alive, out of jail and chasing their hopes and dreams. Based in Armidale NSW.
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Our tank mural project came out of winter hibernation today with a burst of spring energy and a group of girls getting c...
03/09/2026

Our tank mural project came out of winter hibernation today with a burst of spring energy and a group of girls getting creative... and they finished it in a day!

This beauty is the latest in a series of murals popping up around BackTrack sites in Armidale. Guided by Paula Jenkins Art, young people brainstorm ideas for the murals, learn how to prepare surfaces and mix and apply paint, and experiment with different colours.

There’s teamwork involved, with designated roles for all parts of the murals. There are conversations about life as the paint goes on.
And most of all, there’s a sense of pride that comes with knowing these creations will be there for the long haul 🙌

This one’s for our Armidale friends 🎬Next week, there’s a special screening of The Way We Care, a new documentary by Cat...
28/08/2026

This one’s for our Armidale friends 🎬

Next week, there’s a special screening of The Way We Care, a new documentary by Catherine Scott, director of Backtrack Boys, at the Armidale Playhouse.

Armidale local Emily Hikaiti, who grew up in the out-of-home care system and is now an advocate for change, features in the documentary alongside our founder Bernie Shakeshaft.

Emily, Bernie and others will join a panel discussion after the screening on 5.30pm, Wednesday 2 September - unpacking what’s possible when connection, relationships and belonging are placed at the heart of how we care for young people.

👉Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uzh7XT0KQEE

👉Get tickets to the Armidale screening: https://thewaywecare.com.au/community-screening/

📷 From the documentary: Emily with her son in Armidale and Bernie.

Spotlighting these two beauties to celebrate National Dog Day 🐾Mulga on the left is 10, and one of the wise ones in the ...
26/08/2026

Spotlighting these two beauties to celebrate National Dog Day 🐾

Mulga on the left is 10, and one of the wise ones in the BackTrack pack – she can do almost anything.

Whisky up front is the littlest dog in the pack, the biggest character in the tiniest body. Her official role: Paws Up union rep.

📸 taken on one of their Paws Up Outreach visits.

Fantastic day celebrating Education Week with four of the schools we visit as part of Paws Up Outreach. Big thanks to Bl...
06/08/2026

Fantastic day celebrating Education Week with four of the schools we visit as part of Paws Up Outreach. Big thanks to Black Mountain Public School for having us and Ebor Public School for capturing some of the action 📸🐾

Paws up! The BackTrack pack has been training hard for a special event on the calendar - a community dog jump at one of ...
04/08/2026

Paws up! The BackTrack pack has been training hard for a special event on the calendar - a community dog jump at one of our outreach primary schools.

Tomorrow we’ll be joining our friends at Black Mountain Primary School to celebrate Education Week, and the pack is raring to go!

Young people have been putting the dogs through their paces every week at Cubba Cubbah farm with fitness runs, off-leash work... and a bit of chill-out time before we break camp 🐾

Blink and you'll miss it - the view from the verandah at Cubba Cubbah farm on a clear evening.It's hands-on learning at ...
29/07/2026

Blink and you'll miss it - the view from the verandah at Cubba Cubbah farm on a clear evening.

It's hands-on learning at the farm for young people by day, with wide open spaces, dogs and cattle yards.

When the sun goes down, it's a safe place to stay - something that's foundational for many young people who come to BackTrack.

That safety creates space to grow and learn... or just enjoy a mid-winter sunset at the end of the day.

12/06/2026

It’s a full circle moment at BackTrack...

We're in our 20th year and young people who’ve been part of the BackTrack family for a long time are giving back as leaders.

Here’s founder Bernie Shakeshaft and two of BackTrack’s young leaders, Steph and Balie. These two are making a difference on the ground every day, drawing on their life experience to show other young people there’s another way.

Do you want to be part of the BackTrack story? You can make a tax-deductible donation before June 30: https://backtrack.org.au/donate/

Great day yesterday with Backtrack’s Balie and Tyler leading the outreach team on local aged care home visits. First tim...
27/05/2026

Great day yesterday with Backtrack’s Balie and Tyler leading the outreach team on local aged care home visits. First time for Ollie who took to it naturally with Travis showing the way. Mulga, Gidgee and Arrow made up the canine crew with Whiskey left behind to take care of things back at the office. Talk about a dog day afternoon!

It was impressive seeing our young people actively listening and calmly engaging with some of our elders. They loved their visitors! So nice to be able to show care for others who have been carers themselves.

Paying it forward the Backtrack way 🎯

Backtrack would not be thriving today without the tireless efforts of people who know that giving is even better than re...
21/05/2026

Backtrack would not be thriving today without the tireless efforts of people who know that giving is even better than receiving. And giving your time is one of the most precious gifts of all.

Some give through formal ways, like community organisations and charities. Others volunteer all the time and might just call it helping out a mate, or going to the shops for aunty. However you do it, we see you!

We love this quote from author Sherry Anderson: “Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they’re worthless, but because they’re priceless.”

On National Volunteers Week, cheers to the volunteers!

Turns out dogs can’t read. But they sure are great listeners. The Backtrack Paws Up team was on the road again this wee...
15/05/2026

Turns out dogs can’t read. But they sure are great listeners.

The Backtrack Paws Up team was on the road again this week, strengthening the community connections made through reading and listening.

With our regular monthly visits to six small primary schools and two aged care homes we’re seeing the impact on the ground.

Sometimes it’s the escape of a good story - or just feeling the calm and focus that flows from reading in a safe space.

Whatever it is, it’s working, keep it up team!

Address

17 Grafton Road
Armidale, NSW
2350

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 6pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 6pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 6pm
Thursday 8:30am - 6pm
Friday 8:30am - 6pm

Telephone

+61267713577

Website

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