BackTrack Dogs

You’ve seen ‘Backtrack Boys’ the doco, now is your chance to see them live in action! This year, we are delighted to present “Paws Up” from the fabulous team at BackTrack, performing in the Main Arena on Saturday afternoon following the Grand Parade.

The Paw Ups team and their dogs promise to wow audiences as they leap, jump and balance and behave with an astounding level of skill. It’s a highly interactive sport with the crew of young people providing constant coaching and encouragement, and even participating in some tricks themselves! 

So where did it all begin? BackTrack was established in Armidale in 2006, when founder Bernie Shakeshaft saw young people in his community facing challenges that made it incredibly difficult to connect, participate in education and training, or find employment.

Bernie started small with strong community support, volunteers and a shed where he gathered together the first group of young people and the now famous working dogs. While today’s BackTrack evolved from this moment, it has kept at its core the essence of the experience those young people had in that shed on day one.

Today BackTrack offers wrap-around wellbeing and youth support, hands-on skills training, education, and activities that build self-confidence, responsibility, leadership and belonging.

2:30pm on Saturday 21 May in the Main Arena.