Our Team

In her spare time Maddy is an incredible artist and loves to play sport, she’s also an A grade netballer. Maddy has a great understanding of the issues young people face in Lake Cargelligo and offers much needed support to the participants of Down The Track.

Courageous and full of enthusiasm Maddy is an inspiring young role model which Down The Track is honoured to have.

In the early days of his career, Bernie saw kids dropping out of school, getting into trouble and falling through the cracks of a system that couldn’t meet their complex needs. This inspired him to start BackTrack in 2006, with just a shed, a passionate crew of volunteers and a mission to keep kids alive, out of jail and chasing their hopes and dreams.  

Since then, BackTrack has gained national recognition by offering vulnerable young people the holistic, flexible and long-term support they need to get their lives back on track, through a combination of educational, training and diversionary activities, transitional employment through the social enterprise BackTrack Works, residential accommodation and youth work. A BackTrack Network now supports other communities to develop similar programs across the country.   
   
Bernie was named Australian of the Year Local Hero (2020), National Rural Health Alliance Unsung Hero (2019), and has received the Spera Australian Rural Education Award (2018), the Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Award (2017), a Churchill Fellowship (2014) and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of New England (2020). He and BackTrack were the subject of the award-winning documentary ‘Backtrack Boys’ and the biography ‘Back on Track’.  

Andrew moved back to Lake Cargelligo in 2016 to start an Agricultural Consultancy business, not only does Andrew have a passion for the Agriculture space but also Passion for our community and it’s youth in seeing the growth, training & development of our young people.

Andrew is an active member in our community holding numerous roles including chair of St Francis Xavier Primary School community council, Chair of Lower Lachlan Community Services Inc. and President of the Local Lake Cargelligo AFL Football & Netball club. He has given much insight to the needs, gaps & opportunities that exist locally.

Andrew has over 20 years’ experience on boards and advisory panels and has a great understanding of the role governance plays in the success of organisations.

Andrew is a big believer in Down The Track work as he has seen first-hand the work previously carried out in the community and sees a future where Down the Track will be a pillar in youth in Lake Cargelligo.

Alison loves the space, peace and freedom of outback NSW and is passionate about helping kids learn and find what they want to do and be in the world.

In the early days of his career, Bernie saw kids dropping out of school, getting into trouble and falling through the cracks of a system that couldn’t meet their complex needs. This inspired him to start BackTrack in 2006, with just a shed, a passionate crew of volunteers and a mission to keep kids alive, out of jail and chasing their hopes and dreams.  

Since then, BackTrack has gained national recognition by offering vulnerable young people the holistic, flexible and long-term support they need to get their lives back on track, through a combination of educational, training and diversionary activities, transitional employment through the social enterprise BackTrack Works, residential accommodation and youth work. A BackTrack Network now supports other communities to develop similar programs across the country.  
 
   
Bernie was named Australian of the Year Local Hero (2020), National Rural Health Alliance Unsung Hero (2019), and has received the Spera Australian Rural Education Award (2018), the Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Award (2017), a Churchill Fellowship (2014) and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of New England (2020). He and BackTrack were the subject of the award-winning documentary ‘Backtrack Boys’ and the biography ‘Back on Track’.  

In the early days of his career, Bernie saw kids dropping out of school, getting into trouble and falling through the cracks of a system that couldn’t meet their complex needs. This inspired him to start BackTrack in 2006, with just a shed, a passionate crew of volunteers and a mission to keep kids alive, out of jail and chasing their hopes and dreams.  

Since then, BackTrack has gained national recognition by offering vulnerable young people the holistic, flexible and long-term support they need to get their lives back on track, through a combination of educational, training and diversionary activities, transitional employment through the social enterprise BackTrack Works, residential accommodation and youth work. A BackTrack Network now supports other communities to develop similar programs across the country.  
 
   
Bernie was named Australian of the Year Local Hero (2020), National Rural Health Alliance Unsung Hero (2019), and has received the Spera Australian Rural Education Award (2018), the Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Award (2017), a Churchill Fellowship (2014) and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of New England (2020). He and BackTrack were the subject of the award-winning documentary ‘Backtrack Boys’ and the biography ‘Back on Track’.