Bernie Shakeshaft & James Knight - Back on Track

Bernie Shakeshaft is a national treasure, making a difference to so many young lives. Join us for the launch of Back on Track, a thought-provoking and heart-warming story of how one man (and his working dogs) is giving rural kids, on their last chance, a second chance, co-authored by Bernie and James Knight.

As a kid, Bernie was a bit of wild one. As an adult, he had a variety of outback jobs before working for youth welfare organisations, and all the while he built up his knowledge about helping wayward youths, including those from Indigenous communities.

Years later, he'd been visiting too many kids in prison and going to too many funerals. The usual methods weren't working. That reckless, mischievous kid inside him decided he could do better. He started a youth program called BackTrack, with three aims: to keep troubled kids alive, out of jail and chasing their hopes and dreams.

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. Back on Track is his story. 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.

To be launched by... special guest: watch this space! Bernie will then be in-conversation with James Knight.