Biologic recently swapped business-as-usual for a day of hands-on discovery as we welcomed families and friends to our new Perth headquarters in Osborne Park.
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Last week was Mark’s birthday, so what better time for a trek update?
You might have read last year that one of our Senior Zoologists, Mark Gresser, is taking on a solo trek 5,000kms across Australia to raise funds for youth mental health.
Mark’s solo, self-supported trek was sprung from both a passion for the outdoors and a desire to do some good through contributing towards destigmatising talks about mental health.
To this end, he has partnered with Batyr to raise funds for youth mental health support.
“On a personal note, I just want to have an adventure and contribute to helping others manage their mental wellbeing…it’s only through sharing our stories that we can work together to look after each other and build a mentally healthy Australia” – Mark Gresser.
Where’s Mark now?
The last time we checked in, Mark had just crossed into the Northern Territory.
Since then, he has hit some incredible milestones and enjoyed some incredible experiences in his travels, including:
- Rocking out at a local concert for the 40-year anniversary of the hand back of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to the Traditional Owners
- Exploring the geographic center of Australia and witnessing breathtaking views of Ulura and Kata Tjuta
- Visiting Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, Australia’s largest salt lake. Located in South Australia, this lake sits 15.2 meters below sea level and boasts the terminus of one of the world’s biggest internally draining systems
- Hiking through 120kms worth of sand dunes in the Strzelecki Desert to reach Cameron Corner, a point that borders South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland
Where to next?
Mark has been hunkered down in Tibooburra, NSW for the past week as rains have led to road closures in the area.
He still has a number of months kilometers remaining before he reaches the end of his trip in Cape Byron.
Cape Byron is located in New South Wales and is the easternmost point of mainland Australia.
This will mark the completion of 6,000kms and one enormous feat of human endurance!
Getting involved
If you’d like to support Mark’s journey, please visit the Batyr website, where 100% of all donations to directly to Batyr.
These funds enable the organisation to reach more young people across Australia with mental health programs and workshops.
For more updates, follow Mark on his Instagram, or visit his website.
