ShoreTrack was the first social enterprise to receive a loan from the Social Enterprise Loan Fund (SELF). Six months on, they have purchased a property, been endorsed as a Special Assistance Trades School and are now on the cusp of much bigger things.
“Debt is part of all our lives, it’s the way of the world. But when it comes to the social enterprise sector, we seem to view it differently,” - Jill Ashley, CEO ShoreTrack.
At ShoreTrack, supporting disengaged young people through training and employment has always been about more than simply upskilling. It’s about rebuilding self-confidence, providing a sense of purpose, and pathways that wouldn’t otherwise exist for these young people. And like many social enterprises, the organisation has been hungry to do more.
“We’ve been able to help over 1000 young people in the past five years but there are many more who can benefit from our programs,” said Jill Ashley, ShoreTrack’s CEO.
“When we approached White Box, we had a clear goal. To progress our social enterprise (STEPS), we essentially wanted to establish a “school”, where young people could walk away with not just the skills, but also the accreditation that could open doors elsewhere,” says Jill. “To gain the registration required for this, we needed a permanent premises as a first step.”
As the first recipient of a SELF loan, ShoreTrack was able to purchase their Macksville shed and have recently announced that from 2026, their Gumma Place Special Assistance Trades school, will be offering industry-informed learning for young people completing Years 9 and 10. This is the first Special Assistance Trades School in Australia.
“Mainstream education does not suit all young people. Rather than trying to change the kids to suit the system, Gumma Place offers an alternative model of learning which provides a safe and respectful place to learn using a practical and hands on methodology.”
For ShoreTrack, the loan process was collaborative and supportive, far from an intimidating, audit-style experience many might expect. The SELF team worked closely with them to understand their business model and aspirations, focusing on how the loan could strengthen both their impact and sustainability.
“We were supported the whole way through the application process and were able to present our strengths while building our capabilities”.
ShoreTrack had already built a strong foundation through earlier work with Sefa, they entered the process well prepared. Clear financials, robust policies and a strong grasp of their social impact made for a smooth application.
Jill’s number one piece of advice to others, “It’s not just about having the numbers ready, it’s about being able to clearly articulate how the loan will expand your impact and deliver tangible outcomes for the people and communities you support.”
“Getting this SELF loan has been a gamechanger for us.”
Debt has enabled ShoreTrack to secure an asset that will continue to unlock new opportunities, but its benefits reach far beyond bricks and mortar.
For social enterprises considering a SELF loan, view the application process as a partnership that builds capacity as much as it provides funding. In doing so, you’ll not only access capital, but also gain the confidence, credibility and control to grow on your own terms.