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Two doctors vital in the rescue of a Thai soccer team who were trapped in a flooded cave have both been announced as Australian of the Year.
Doctor Craig Challen of Western Australia and Doctor Richard Harris of South Australia were both honoured at the National Arboretum in Canberra this evening.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison presented the two men with the coveted award in front of a packed audience for their heroic efforts at the Chiang Rai caves in July last year.
![Dr Craig Challen and Dr Richard Harris have both taken out the coveted Australian of the Year honour.](https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/mQjMG3haV8X3lDswdcGUHPsZCEQ=/500x0/https%3A%2F%2F1.800.gay%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F_%2Fmedia%2F2019%2F01%2F25%2F17%2F37%2FHarris-Challen-cave-rescue.jpg)
![Dr Harris had to give each person medical clearance for the dangerous journey to the surface and Dr Challen played a crucial part in working out the logistics.](https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/0TVggMHDhq_YjNvS8BYioqRO_CI=/500x0/https%3A%2F%2F1.800.gay%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F_%2Fmedia%2FNetwork%2FHome%2FStreams%2F2018%2F07%2F12%2F09%2F58%2F1207_thaicaverescue.jpg)
Anaesthetist Dr Harris and retired veterinary surgeon Dr Challen were heroic in their actions to save the lives of 12 boys and their coach.
"I am really somewhat astounded that the pursuit of a hobby for the last 22 years has led to so much interest and acknowledgement and me being up here tonight," Dr Challen said in accepting the award.
"I dearly hope that I can prove myself worthy of it."
![The soccer team were trapped for 18 days as unpredictable weather hampered rescue efforts and risked flooding of the narrow cave system.](https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/Aox7bIqp_2K5PO5amenZDYhqzow=/500x0/https%3A%2F%2F1.800.gay%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F_%2Fmedia%2FNetwork%2FUtility%2FQuizzical%2F2018%2F07%2F10%2F20%2F50%2F180711_caveaap_quiz.jpg)
![The rescue of a Thai soccer team and their coach captivated the world as millions waited for them to surface.](https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/GQIIT8RFkAqVH81a8ibEmTV6KRU=/500x0/https%3A%2F%2F1.800.gay%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F_%2Fmedia%2FNetwork%2FHome%2FStreams%2F2019%2F01%2F16%2F08%2F11%2Fthai-cave-boys.png)
The Australians braved dangerously claustrophobic conditions to return the soccer team to safety after 18 days without food or water and unpredictable weather that risked flooding the deep caves.
The trained divers, who are long-time friends, were actually preparing for a diving holiday when they got the call to help with the delicate mission.
Both men put their own lives at risk working under great pressure to ensure everyone got out alive.
![Dr Harris and Dr Challen faced dangerous conditions in the narrow cave network as time almost ran out.](https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/g7ppCHCnbYHwChFSBqaZMzZofQw=/500x0/https%3A%2F%2F1.800.gay%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F_%2Fmedia%2F2018%2F09%2F11%2F17%2F08%2FThailand-cave-rescue-AFP-7.jpg)
![The entire team were evacuated safely with the youngest team member just 11-years-old.](https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/1got4dwJalFG5pCuKNP1Ydq27AY=/500x0/https%3A%2F%2F1.800.gay%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F_%2Fmedia%2FNetwork%2FHome%2FStreams%2F2018%2F07%2F15%2F20%2F09%2F1507_nh_thaicave1.jpg)
Tonight, the Thai team again paid tribute to the doctors, sending in a heartfelt video message expressing their gratitude to the men and congratulating them.
Dr Harris’ expertise was crucial in the mission as he swam back and forth through the narrow network of flooded caves to give each of the trapped boys medical clearance to make the treacherous journey back to the surface.
He remained in the cave system until the very last evacuee was safe.
![](https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/J3j2nt2omDfLFD9wa0BtgTrIyO0=/750x0/https%3A%2F%2F1.800.gay%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fcf-images.ap-southeast-2.prod.boltdns.net%2Fv1%2Fstatic%2F664969388001%2F7727ffba-2855-4e8a-83f4-827cb77efaaf%2Fd8fbe592-ddc5-43e7-8251-d9d77f88ea5c%2F640x360%2Fmatch%2Fimage.jpg)
Dr Challen’s technical expertise was also required to make sure the soccer team and those rescuing them got to the surface safely.
He worked 10 to 12 hours each day in the extremely dangerous conditions, swimming the children, including an 11-year-old, one-by-one through the dark network of caves.
Both men have remained humble since last year’s efforts and have been embraced proudly by the entire nation.