Back on Track: How one man and his dogs are changing the lives of rural kids

by Bernie Shakeshaft, James Knight

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

Genres: Biography Memoir

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 9, 2019

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading this book there is no question or any doubt that Bernie Shakeshaft has changed and will continue to change the lives of many kids that otherwise may never have gotten another chance at turning their lives around. Some of these kids for whatever reason might have gotten into trouble with the police or come from broken homes, but all they needed was for someone to believe in them and show them they could have a better life. All this is made possible thanks to Bernie’s youth program known as BackTrack. Here, kids are taught life skills to help them become strong, independent adults.

Back on Track is a book about how Bernie Shakeshaft started the youth program and how he and his dogs changed the lives of many people. I must say this book wasn’t what I thought it would be and a quarter of the way through I was a little disappointed and I felt this book didn’t do Bernie justice, but that is just my opinion. What Bernie created takes a special kind of person (my opinion) and I'm sure everyone who knows him would agree. He is truly inspirational. The world needs a lot more Bernie’s, that's for certain. Recommended.

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting, inspiring book that certainly merits 3.5 stars. But nevertheless, I was disappointed in it. A title like "How One Man and His Dogs Are Changing the Lives of Rural Kids" seems to promise there's a lot about how the dogs impact the changes. But sadly, there's very little narrative that reveals this. It is an inspirational story about lifting kids up to try for their full potential, and an intriguing biography of Bernie Shakeshaft. But Shakeshaft's dogs are mentioned only peripherally. In fact, there's only a part of one chapter where they're given any real focus at all, and that seems only incidental. Nowhere are there any stories, examples or incidents about how any individual kids interacted with the dogs to learn, grow, develop or change.

So.... very disappointing. Dogs have so much to teach us and the book's title seems to imply we're about to learn something of how that can happen. But the narrative doesn't deliver. I won't belittle it by calling it a "puff piece," though at times it approaches that. Simply put, it's a biography of Bernie Shakeshaft, the founder of BackTrack. As such, it's interesting and intriguing. But not very revealing about how his dogs affect the outcomes.

[Annie Walder · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a beautiful and touching story. The determination and persistence that Bernie had to get his program up and running is incredible.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simply related account of the founding of BackTrack - but so inspirational.
James Knight tells Bernie's story with humour and poignancy, but always instilling Bernie's positive outlook. What an amazing man.

Bernie Shakeshaft had an interesting, even reckless early life with a variety of jobs in a variety of places.
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.

[David McNair · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just finished reading “Back On Track - how one man and his dogs are changing the lives of rural kids” by Bernie Shakeshaft with James Knight.

“Back On Track” is the incredible story of Bernie Shakeshaft and how through true grit, passion and determination to make a difference in the lives of boys (and now girls) Backtrack came to be.

Bernie Shakeshaft was awarded the Local Hero Award at the recent 2020 Australia Day Awards. A well deserved award to a one of kind person who the real deal and has an incredible way of getting along side young people and affirming them and valuing them for who they are.

Many of the young people in the Back Track program have never thought they would never amount to much. Many society have given up on. Many had not fitted traditional schooling system and had trouble with the law. Bernie and his team have been able to change the trajectory of many young lives for the better.

The flow on affect of the Back Track program in the local Armidale and wider community has made a real difference. The most important difference however has been the lives of the young people themselves who have said time and time again that they owe Back Track their lives.

The story Bernie Shakeshaft and how Back Track came to be has been incredibly impacting to me. Having myself worked with young people over the last 25 years who are in a similar situation, I can really see the difference in our lives are being transformed for the better.

Thank you Bernie Shakeshaft and the Back Track team for all the great work you do in making a difference in the lives of young people who are our future generation.

https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2020-0...

www.backtrack.org.au

https://youtu.be/3QIAcuyXZxQ

[Lyn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Australian should read this book. Bernie has done an amazing job working with kids and dogs, creating hope and possibilities, and all done with respect, humour and understanding. I was deeply touched by the stories from the kids, and they were just kids, and to see how much Bernie means to them. The answers don't always come from a textbook.
Bernie's story is real, heartbreaking, funny, interesting, unbelievable, sad and happy. It makes me proud to be an Aussie and know that there are blokes out there like Bernie.

[Selina]

What a wonderful inspiring story. There are truly amazing caring compassionate people in this world. Need more people like Bernie.

[Olivia Telfer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful story of hard work, dedication and changing lives.

[Katherine Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a while to get into but I stick with it as I knew the story of BackTrack would be an important & inspiring one. Grateful for the stories & grateful for the work they do.

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awe inspiring!

I can't find the right words for this book review ! One of many things, READ IT!
A beautifully written story.
So amazing what this man, community and so many others have strived to achieve! It would be an absolute inspiration to cone close to being and doing the things Bernie has done.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from a book subscription. I didn’t really think I’d enjoy it as much as I did. It was informative and well written. The organisation is amazing in what it does. I’d recommend people to read this book just to become more educated on those less fortunate.

[Angela Priebbenow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an inspirational book about how one man reflected on his own messed-up childhood and started reaching out to help other messed-up kids. It's a story of resilience and compassion that inspires you to reach out to the unloved in your own community.

[Hatton_Family · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A genuine must read for all those who are thinking of working in the helping professions.

[Ben · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great program but the book is terribly written

[Jennifer Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bernie Shakeshaft is an absolute bloody legend!