Cave-Diver and Rescuer

  • Joint winner of Australian of the Year 2019
  • West Australian of the Year 2019
  • Star of Courage (SC) 2018
  • Order of Australia (OAM) 2018
  • Companion of the Order of Direkgunabhorn 2018
  • Oztek 2009 Diver of the Year for services to Caving

In July 2018, respected cave diver and retired vet Craig Challen was about to go on a caving holiday in the Nullarbor Plains, when he was called to help on a rescue mission in Thailand. Craig was part of the international team that successfully rescued 12 boys and their coach from a flooded cave in Chiang Rai, Thailand.

Craig, who has dived some of Australia’s deepest wrecks and has set depth records in diving, was chosen for the mission based on his technical expertise. Working 10 to 12 hours a day in extremely dangerous conditions, Craig repeatedly risked his life as the children were swum, one-by-one, through the dark and narrow flooded caves.
Despite admitting he initially thought the rescue would be too difficult to accomplish, he played a leading role in this successful and heroic mission.

Craig was awarded the Star of Courage for his unwavering and selfless bravery following the successful rescue of the trapped soccer team.

Craig Challen, Sc Oam 1

2020 Ambassador