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The nine Australians who helped rescue 12 Thai soccer players and their coach from a flooded cave have been honoured for their bravery at a ceremony at Government House.
Doctors Richard Harris and Craig Challen received the Star of Courage, the second highest civilian honour.
Seven others were given the Bravery Medal by Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove.
All also received the Order of Australia for "service to the international community".
![Craig Challen and Richard Harris received the Star of Courage - Australia's second highest civilian honour. Picture: 9NEWS](https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/9mN7U0wbVWu0eXolHeKh6kXDfGg=/500x0/https%3A%2F%2F1.800.gay%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F_%2Fmedia%2F2018%2F07%2F24%2FCAVEMEDALS_1.jpg)
The rescuers were re-united for the first time since the painstaking, dangerous, and world attention-grabbing rescue two weeks ago.
"Australia salutes you," Sir Peter told them.
"We think that you were remarkable – skilful, tireless, compassionate, and courageous.
"Your nation is so proud of you."
![](https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/8UgS0xyWubgEP3whjVrjQCcQRvw=/750x0/https%3A%2F%2F1.800.gay%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fcf-images.ap-southeast-2.prod.boltdns.net%2Fv1%2Fstatic%2F664969388001%2F4313a3d9-5424-4eae-b576-1117766406ab%2Fcde9e685-b1e8-48a9-8899-f08df146b3ee%2F640x360%2Fmatch%2Fimage.jpg)
!["You inspired the whole world," Mr Turnbull said. Picture: 9NEWS](https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/rTChKwhBi-oNr_kqeN-XsFj2Q-k=/500x0/https%3A%2F%2F1.800.gay%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F_%2Fmedia%2F2018%2F07%2F24%2FCAVEMEDALS_5.jpg)
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull lauded them as "heroes".
"You made us so proud," Mr Turnbull said.
"Selflessly courageous, superbly, professionally competent.
"We could not have better ambassador, showing the best of our Australians values than you.
"Of all the dark, primeval nightmares, few can match that of being trapped underground, in the dark, with the water rising and the oxygen running out.
"A child's worst nightmare was anything but the stuff of dreams for the Wild Boars."
![Nine Australians have been honoured for the roles in the Thai cave rescue. Picture: 9NEWS](https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/RfQV2unhy-nmwUuiJZ1jPhqKTrk=/500x0/https%3A%2F%2F1.800.gay%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F_%2Fmedia%2F2018%2F07%2F24%2FCAVEMEDALS_7.jpg)
They boys were, the prime minister said, swallowed up by the earth and "beyond help".
"Except, they were not beyond help because extraordinary deeds were not beyond you," Mr Turnbull said.
"It's impossible to overstate how dangerous was your task.
"Yours was a mission of practical love to save the lives of others, weaker, younger, more vulnerable.
"You saved those young men, and as you did, so inspired not just your own nation, our nation.
"But holding its breath, praying for your success, you inspired the whole world.
"On behalf of all Australians, we thank you, and we salute you."
![The rescuers were honoured at a ceremony at Government House today. Picture: 9NEWS](https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/GWoq-7WAMazqfV3JvtNmkCNYf-8=/500x0/https%3A%2F%2F1.800.gay%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F_%2Fmedia%2F2018%2F07%2F24%2FCAVEMEDALS_4.jpg)
Dr Harris was extraordinarily humble after receiving the awards, saying he felt "embarrassed and a bit shocked".
"We went cave diving for a few days and we were able to help get the kids out," he said.
"The media storm and these awards have been completely unexpected, we're just trying to emphasise how big a part so many people played in this.
"We're not quite sure why the spotlight has shone on us as a pair.
"But it's all quite exciting.
"I think we just need to get back to work actually and stop my head swelling and just start to relax again."
Dr Challen said cave diving was what they always did and it didn't require anything special.
"What we're not used to is holding these little humans in our hands and their fate completely and utterly up to us," he said.
"What we did made all the difference between whether they're surviving or not.
"We just can't stress how bleak the outlook was for those kids in there, and just overjoyed that it all worked out okay. It could have easily not."
The doctors said they want to reunite for a quiet dive "in clear water".