ShoreTrack founders Jill Ashley and Paul ‘Fatty’ Ireland are the 2027 NSW Local Heroes

TWO passionate advocates for disadvantaged young people in the Nambucca Valley have received one of the nation’s highest community honours, with ShoreTrack founders Jill Ashley and Paul ‘Fatty’ Ireland named the 2027 NSW Local Heroes by the National Australia Day Council.

The recognition celebrates their remarkable commitment to creating opportunities for young people who have struggled within traditional education systems, helping them develop practical skills, confidence and pathways to meaningful employment.

Jill, 66, and Fatty, 57, established ShoreTrack in 2020 with a vision to provide a different approach to education and training for disengaged young people across the Nambucca Valley.

What began as an idea to create a safe, respectful and supportive learning environment has developed into a highly successful community initiative, assisting more than 750 young people and demonstrating the potential that can be unlocked through practical learning and mentoring.

An impressive 86 per cent of young people who have completed a Certificate II pathway through ShoreTrack have remained employed, highlighting the program’s success in helping participants build independent futures.

Speaking to News Of The Area following the announcement, Jill and Fatty described their initial reaction as one of complete surprise, followed by laughter and a few emotional tears.

Neither Jill nor Fatty had set out to receive awards or public recognition, instead being motivated by the need to provide young people in their community with opportunities that traditional systems were not always able to offer.

They said the recognition was humbling and belonged equally to the young people who had placed their trust in ShoreTrack and the dedicated staff who supported them every day.

For the pair, the greatest reward has always been witnessing the transformation of young people who had previously struggled to find their place in education or employment.

Sometimes those achievements were as simple as a young person who once struggled to attend school arriving enthusiastically at the workshop each morning.

Other milestones included the pride of completing a first welding project, finishing a practical task or seeing the results of a freshly mown lawn.

These everyday achievements represented important steps towards rebuilding confidence, developing skills and discovering personal potential.

Since commencing its work with young people in 2021, ShoreTrack has expanded significantly, now offering Certificate II training, Gumma Place, described as Australia’s first trades-based Special Assistance School, and STeps, a social enterprise providing genuine employment opportunities and stronger connections to the community.

Each initiative has evolved in response to the needs of the young people participating in the program, reinforcing ShoreTrack’s philosophy of learning through practical experience, meaningful work and a sense of belonging.

The organisation also addresses some of the challenges faced by young people in regional communities, including limited transport, reduced employment opportunities and the impact of low expectations.

Through mentoring, meals, transport assistance, trade-based training and employment pathways, ShoreTrack has helped remove barriers that might otherwise prevent young people from reaching their potential.

Jill and Fatty were quick to acknowledge that ShoreTrack’s success has been made possible through the generosity and commitment of the wider Nambucca Valley community.

Built on Gumbaynggirr Country, the organisation has benefited from local businesses providing work experience and employment, volunteers sharing their skills and families placing their trust in the program.

“Small towns look after their own. This one has backed us from the start, and we’ll keep backing its young people in return,” Fatty told News Of The Area.

The NSW Local Hero recognition also acknowledges the broader contribution ShoreTrack has made towards changing community perceptions of disengaged young people, demonstrating that with the right encouragement and opportunities, they can achieve remarkable outcomes.

National Australia Day Council CEO Carrie Leeson congratulated the NSW award recipients for their outstanding contributions to their communities.

“The NSW recipients are all committed to using their skills, experience and time to make a difference,” said Carrie.

“Jill and Paul are creating life-changing opportunities for kids who need a helping hand.”

The honour will now take Jill and Fatty from the Nambucca Valley to Canberra, where they will join award recipients from across Australia for the national Australian of the Year Awards announcement on 25 January 2027.

Both admit to feeling excited and a little nervous about representing NSW and their local community on the national stage.

However, their greatest hope is that the recognition will shine a spotlight on the opportunities that can be created when regional communities invest in their young people.

They believe the ShoreTrack model, built around practical learning, real employment experiences and community connection, has the potential to inspire similar initiatives in other regional towns.

The national exposure may also help establish new partnerships with employers and organisations willing to provide further opportunities for ShoreTrack participants.

For Jill and Fatty, the possibility of opening more doors for young people is far more important than the outcome of the national awards.

“Whatever happens on the night, our kids have already won. Their stories are being heard right across the country,” Jill told News Of The Area.

As the pair prepare for Canberra, their achievement is also a moment of pride for the Nambucca Valley, recognising not only two dedicated community leaders but the collective efforts of a community determined to give its young people every opportunity to succeed.

By Mick BIRTLES