In FY26, we achieved more than 6,000 field days without a single Lost Time Injury (LTI), a testament to the strong safety culture our team has built together.
At Biologic, safety isn’t just a priority. It’s a shared responsibility. Every team member is empowered to work safely, speak up and look out for one another.
Here are some of the key insights from our recent offsite Safety Day and how we’re continuing to raise the bar for safety across the industry.
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He’s done it! Mark Gresser crosses the finish line 332 days, 6,000 kilometers and $130,000 later.
Many of you have been following Mark’s journey since Day One, when he set off from Steep Point in Australia’s northwest last July.
If you’re not familiar with the story, you can bring yourself up to speed here and here on Mark’s trip.
We have been able to witness the trials, tribulations, and joys of travelling Australia solo, on foot, for almost a full year. It has been an epic feat of willpower and endurance, driven by a passion for the outdoors and a commitment to supporting Batyr in the work they do for youth mental health.
Along the way Mark has had some amazing experiences and faced some real challenges, which he shares with us in the Q&A below.
Recapping the journey with Mark
What was the biggest highlight of your journey?
Walking into Kata Tjuta and Uluru. I had never seen them before, other than in pictures. It is such a special, spiritual place. To slowly approach them on foot feels magical.
Seeing the Pacific Ocean near the very end of the walk was also incredible. That was when it hit home that I had walked across Australia, I teared up as I looked out at the ocean horizon.
Other worthy mentions have to be:
- Walking into my arrival event at the end of the event to see my family and a large crowd of supporters waiting for me
- Meeting ordinary Australians across the country and getting a glimpse into life in regional Australia
- Seeing the Milky Way and Aurora Australis (waves of glowing orange light caused by geomagnetic storm activity) in all their glory
What was the biggest challenge you faced along the way?
The biggest challenge was getting to the starting line. It was in the preparation stage that I felt the most stress and anxiety as there was so much to organise. I had to do route planning, food planning, gear sorting, cart design and manufacture all before leaving home.
The hardest physical challenge was getting through the Strzelecki Desert. It took me 18 days between settlements in the middle of summer. I left Lyndhurst with 115 liters of water and 15 days worth of food (which I ran short on due to taking longer than expected).
I followed a dirt track leading into hundreds of tall, soft sand dunes. I walked through the night by moonlight when it was slightly cooler. It was too hot to sleep during the day, so I was only managing 2-3 hours of sleep a day for two weeks. There was no natural shade cover for most of it, so I relied on my tent which created sauna-like conditions.
I spent the days lying as still as possible in a pool of sweat and force-feeding myself to keep up my caloric intake. In the latter stages of this section, I didn’t see another human for almost six days.
How did you cope with the isolation during these times?
During times like this, the Biologic Teams chat became a lifeline. Not only was it a place to share photos and updates, it was a welcome connection to home when isolation set in.
Not only was the Biologic team a great connection to home, but I was able to draw on skills I’ve learned during my journey.
I adopted similar safety practices to those used for survey work in the field. I prepared an emergency safety plan before I embarked on my journey. I established key safety contacts and completed safety check-ins with them at predesignated times. I also carried multiple forms of emergency communication equipment to protect me from any single point of failure.
I also applied the skills I learned conducting remote survey work to my route planning, namely reviewing aerial imagery and GIS mapping data to better understand the landscapes I would be passing through.
What’s next for you, now you’ve crossed the finish line?
I am in a busy post-walk period which includes TV and radio interviews, visiting the Batyr charity headquarters and completing my online storytelling.
My focus after this will be on catching up with family and friends, followed by a period of zero commitments where I can properly relax, start getting bored, and open the space for renewed energy and plans.
I will be publishing a book about my previous 29,600kms bike journey, writing a new book about this walk, and going on tour to share my journey with others.
I am also exploring opportunities for further involvement in the mental health service industry. I’m looking forward to reuniting with the Biologic crew in person soon to share more details about my journey!
Biologic proudly supports its team members in achieving their personal and professional goals. Mark’s journey reflects who we are: bold, values-driven, and unafraid to go beyond the norm.
