Stronger Together: The Rise of a Nevus Community in Australia

On Saturday, April 26th, families from across Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria gathered in a heartwarming show of unity for a family picnic hosted in partnership with Nevus Outreach and the Rally for Rare campaign.

This milestone event marked the first nevus gathering since 2015 in Australia and served as the official launch of the Nevus Australasia Foundation. Over 40 attendees—including more than 10 nevus owners—came together in a vibrant and supportive environment that fostered new friendships, shared experiences, and a renewed sense of community.

The event held deep personal significance for one of the hosts, Steven Bouris, who was born with a facial nevus. After decades of navigating life without a support network, he shared his story publicly in 2022, and later attended his very first Nevus Outreach Conference in the U.S. in 2024. Inspired by this experience and determined to prevent others from feeling alone on their journeys, Steven and a dedicated team of advocates began laying the foundation for a new organization focused on advocacy, education, and community-building in Australasia.

The Nevus Australasia Foundation aims to provide parents with both expert knowledge and lived experience, ensuring young nevus owners grow up supported and empowered. Its mission includes fostering peer connection, modeling resilience, and promoting broader societal understanding of congenital melanocytic nevi. The success of the family picnic signals just the beginning of this important work.

Special thanks to co-hosts Karyn Manserr and Cath Singe, as well as the board and supporters who helped bring this vision to life. Together, they are forging a future where no one has to face this rare condition alone. At Nevus Outreach, we are honored to stand alongside them as this inspiring new chapter unfolds.