Banner photo: Civic2Surf finish line at Bondi Beach, 2016.
With enormous gratitude to dedicated Burgmann residents, the Nixon family, and supporters from the ANU and batyr, Civic2Surf returned in 2025, reviving the fundraising relay from Canberra to Bowral.
Led by Burgmann alum Nikki Ballinger (2022–2024), over 35 runners—including other ANU students—raised over $2,900 to support batyr, a mental health organisation dedicated to smashing stigma around mental health issues.
batyr Founder Sebastian Robertson joined the runners for encouragement and fundraising support, sharing his experience of how he kickstarted funding for batyr through his creation of Civic2Surf while he was still a student at the ANU and a resident of Burgmann’s neighbour, John XXIII College.
He was joined by Eliza Priest, a batyr Storyteller who shared her own lived mental health experiences with our Burgmann and ANU runners.
‘What struck me most was meeting the people behind Civic2Surf’, Eliza later shared in a LinkedIn post about the event. ‘I met not only the students who run from Canberra to Bowral to raise funds for batyr (mind-boggling, I know!), but also the parents and Bowral [and Southern Highlands] community members whose lives have been touched by the event for years. Hearing their stories, and the stories of those impacted by their efforts, moved me more than I could have ever expected. It’s not often you get to witness that much passion, care, and humanity in one room. I’ll carry it with me forever.’
Congratulations to these passionate Burgmann residents, together with their friends and batyr advocates, for their stellar efforts to support mental health awareness and prevention, and thank you to all who supported their efforts!
