By MATT NICHOLLS
ARMIDALE’S pioneering youth organisation BackTrack has just one year to become fully self-reliant after the Federal Government cut its long-term funding agreement.
Founder and manager Bernie Shakeshaft said an agreement with the previous government meant BackTrack would have received $800,000 over four years, but now only had next year’s funding guaranteed.
“With any change of government there are always going to be changes. How we deal with those changes is the important thing,” Mr Shakeshaft said.
“The day is coming where we are going to have to be completely self-sufficient.”
Mr Shakeshaft said the government had planned to completely axe BackTrack’s funding before New England MP Barnaby Joyce took up the fight.
“I guarantee that would have happened … we would have lost the funding entirely,” he said.
“I’m grateful for what Barnaby has done to date, but I’ll be looking to see what he can do in the future to continue that relationship.”
Mr Shakeshaft said BackTrack had planned to spend four years building a self-sufficient model, but would now have to speed up the process.
“There are a lot of people in worse off situations than us, which says a lot about how effective our program is,” he said.
“The reality is only a third of our funding comes from the government, which itself is pretty unique for a youth organisation.
“I believe we’re the cheapest youth organisation in the country and that’s because we’re able to generate income from philanthropic funding.”
Mr Joyce said he was glad he was able to provide an interim solution for BackTrack.
“Ensuring a viable contract for BackTrack has been a priority issue for my office,” he said.
“I have personally undertaken the commitment to get this funding and have been on the phone repeatedly with Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion discussing the essential work BackTrack provides for young people who have lost their way.
“BackTrack is an important program that has set a benchmark for what can be achieved when direction and opportunity is provided to young people.
“It is an inspirational organisation and I am proud to have contributed to its ongoing success.”
Mr Shakeshaft said BackTrack had 90 boys currently enrolled in its program, which would now change to meet the new criteria enforced by the government.
“We’re considered to be an employment program so we’re going to have to put more energy in getting these boys jobs,” he said.
“That’s the ball that’s been bowled, so we’re just going to have to play it.
“But that is the beauty of the BackTrack model, we’ve been able to change and be flexible.
“Before we’ve been in charge, but now it’s out of our hands.”
