Following a successful outdoor screening of BackTrack Boys at Inverell in February, Chief Inspector Rowan O'Brien and his wife Jane, caught up with a Backtrack work crew hard at work out at Tingha.
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BackTrack Boys by acclaimed Australian filmmaker Catherine Scott, follows two years in the lives of kids in danger of jail or falling through the cracks, as they get back on track by travelling with Armidale jackaroo Bernie Shakeshaft and his dog jumping team.
A $5000 cheque was presented to the crew raised from the proceeds of the film screening.
Crews of 12 to 18 Backtrack youth work participants have been in the Tingha area for the past few weeks assisting with fallen trees, removing and replacing damaged fencing as well as generally cleaning up after the devastating fires.
After starting on February 10 due to a lightning strike, the huge fire burnt through more than 23,400 hectares of land destroying 14 houses and 44 outbuildings.
A number of properties have been assisted including Topper's Mountain Wines where the working crew was tracked down last week.
"Helping out in this way has given the crews practical skills and experience with fencing and also chainsaw operations," he said.
When asked what they thought about working in the Tingha fire-affected areas, the boys agreed it felt good to help.
"Its fun spending time outside in the bush," one member said,"it's amazing to see life continue with the country bouncing back," another added.
Rowan and Jane would like to say a final thank you to all those that helped out making the film screening an enjoyable and successful evening.
