9 JULY 2025. In May 2025, record floods tore through Taree and the NSW Mid North Coast, leaving a trail of loss across the community.
In response, the team at BackTrack Youth Works — alongside the young people in their care — rolled up their sleeves to help the town rebuild.
It was disaster recovery work with a dual impact. On the ground, BackTrack's support made a real difference to families facing devastating loss. And for the young people involved, the experience offered something just as powerful: new skills, growing confidence, and the pride that comes from helping others in need.
As BackTrack founder Bernie Shakeshaft describes in the video below:
“This was a flood like they’d never seen before. Meaning a devastating loss of stock, crops, homes and belongings, all underwater. And that feeling of helplessness, when there’s no one around to lean on.
Our young people know that feeling.”
Because of the quick response of supporters, BackTrack was able to mobilise a crew of young people to get on the ground straight away — turning that support into real, immediate action when the community needed it most.
Coolaroo Foundation was proud to provide an emergency grant supporting this effort, helping both the people of Taree and the young people of BackTrack walk a little taller.
If you spend any time at BackTrack, one thing becomes clear fast: the dogs are everywhere. Not as a mascot or a sideline, but as a genuine part of how the organisation works with young people, every single day.