Craig Challen
Craig Challen, is an Australian technical diver and cave explorer. He was the recipient of the Oztek 2009 Diver of the Year award for his services to caving, and was joint winner of the 2019 Australian of the Year.
A veterinary surgeon by profession, Challen has made notable dives in Cocklebiddy Cave and Pearse Resurgence. In 2010 he made a record-setting dive while caving in New Zealand.Career
In 2018 Challen, along with his dive partner Richard Harris was involved in a cave rescue operation in Thailand to evacuate 12 children and an adult from the flooded Tham Luang Cave system. On 24 July 2018, Challen was awarded the Star of Courage and Medal of the Order of Australia by the Governor-General of Australia for his role in the rescue. On 7 September 2018 the King of Thailand appointed Challen as a Knight Grand Cross of the Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn.Awards
He is the joint-winner of the 2019 Australian of the Year award with fellow diver Richard Harris, and 2019 Western Australian of the Year.
