Top scorer last season with 40 goals, Burgess demonstrated the art of finishing with a measured lob over Roslyn keeper Peter Evans after 14 minutes.
On the half hour, Burgess laced another high shot that dipped in under Roslyn's crossbar, and finished with an old-fashioned drive, before centreback Matt Joy spun and from a narrow angle drilled in Technical's fourth goal.
In a hectic match full of pace and energy, the "old heads" stood out.
Justin Flaws basked in space, and clinically delivered measured passes forward.
New French signing Victor Da Costa showed pace and penetration on the left, before he ran out of gas late in the match.
Coach Mike Fridge enjoyed his side's first half patterned play, and paid credit to the cutting edge that is supplied by striker Burgess.
"We coasted a bit in the second half, but I am pleased with the result," he said.
Roslyn coach Colin Thom has work to do with his squad, which exerted little pressure on Technical's goal until late, when Jackson Mitchell timed his run to perfection and bulleted in a fine header.
In the early game at the Caledonian Ground, the crowd was entertained by high-speed, skilful football, a noisy student support, and a sprinting streaker, as Caversham nosed 3-1 ahead of University.
Lots of new faces surfaced in coach Richard Murray's Caversham side, but it was near-veteran Mike Smith who rammed in an early goal from close range.
Guilherme Melo led the Varsity's contingent of five Brazilians with some style, and hammered in a superb 16th-minute equaliser, after a mazy run from halfway that left red shirts trailing in his wake.
However, a busy shift by new Caversham captain Seamus Ryder energised his team after halftime, and with Ant Hancock leading the attack, and Harley Rodeka generating some blistering runs, the students were pinned back.
New keeper Liam Little was steadier than University counterpart Danniel Bocatios, and Caversham pressure saw Andrew Ridden shoot his side ahead, then in reward for an incisive, high-mileage match, Rodeka scored Caversham's third.
Coach Murray was pleased his side, full of new faces, bedded in so well against a skilful Varsity side, and Luiz Uehara, while disappointed at some defensive mistakes still saw "promise" in the student performance.
Mosgiel banged in seven against Queenstown in Central Otago to go top of the league.
Mike McGarry, who played the whole match and scored two penalties, had to be happy except for the two goals that the Rovers scored.
Grants Braes was reduced to 10 men when Joh Mpondo was sent off with half an hour to go, but still took a share of the points in a scoreless draw at Tahuna Park.
Northern coach Steve Brook felt his side should have done better with the possession his team enjoyed, but finishing was poor and he praised Braes' spirit when battling on a man short.
