Bernie Shakeshaft

Bernie Shakeshaft is the founder of the BackTrack program, a community initiative based in Armidale, New South Wales, that has been successfully diverting at-risk youth from crime for over 20 years. Under his leadership, BackTrack provides job and life skills training to vulnerable young people, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose. Shakeshaft is regarded as an inspirational figure in the fight against youth crime, emphasizing the importance of community-led solutions. His work has garnered attention from senior politicians, who are now advocating for the replication of the BackTrack model across the country to address the root causes of youth crime.