“We’ve had a long-term partnership with Grazag, and they were contacted just recently by one of their suppiers that made a donation and Jason generously offered to give it to BackTrack,” Bernie said.

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“It’s terrific because we’ve got an agricultural contract business as well, and the money will be used to put together a lamb marking outfit, the shears and cradles that we’ll be using.

“There’s two parts to what we do with the ag stuff. One is in training, where we teach them the agricultural skills, they do a bit of TAFE, and get that practical experience. Then we move them on into paid employment, when they’re ready and have the skills sets.”

Grazag Armidale manager Jason Litchfield said he liked to support the BackTrack team.

“It’s a very worthwhile organisation to support,” he said.

“We’re very thankful to our supplier Virbac Australia and the Cydectin brand for making the $1000 available to be donated, and we hope it will help Bernie continue to bring more kids through the program the way he has been doing since 2006.”

Bernie said since then there had been more than 1000 young men through the program.

“It’s been highly successful,” he said.

“It’s about finding alternatives for people who are not necessarily driven. Often the people we’re working with are outside the educational system by the time they are 12 or 13.

“We find other areas. Agriculture is the biggest employer in the New England district, so it makes good sense that we concentrate on teaching those skills because there are real employment outcomes in the area.”