Accolades for Aussie cave rescue heroes

Nine Australians involved in the Thai cave rescue of 12 boys and their soccer coach will be honoured during a special reception at Government House in Canberra.

Australian divers Craig Challen and Richard Harris following the dramatic rescue.

Australian divers Craig Challen and Richard Harris following the dramatic rescue. Source: AAP

Nine Australian heroes involved in the Thai cave rescue will be honoured for their bravery at a ceremony on Tuesday.

Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove will present medals to those involved in the mission, including Dr Richard 'Harry' Harris, Craig Challen and Chief Petty Officer Troy Eather.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten will be among those attending the reception at Government House.

"I want to say to the Aussies involved in the rescue: You did Australia proud, well done," Mr Shorten told reporters in Tasmania before heading to Canberra.
Dr Richard Harris has been honoured for his role in the Thai cave rescue.
Dr Richard Harris has been honoured for his role in the Thai cave rescue. Source: AAP
Mr Turnbull has previously described the mission to rescue 12 boys and their 25-year-old soccer coach as an extraordinary act of heroism, professionalism, discipline and teamwork.

It will be the first time the rescuers have been reunited since returning to Australia on July 13.

Adelaide anaesthetist Dr Harris and his dive partner, retired Perth vet Mr Challen, were among an international team of cave-diving experts who freed the trapped boys and their coach.

Sydney-based Chief Petty Officer Eather was a key figure in Operation Thailand Assist, having been involved in a number of significant missions since joining the Navy in 1991.

Thailand's ambassador to Australia and Australia's ambassador to Thailand, along with the acting chief of the Defence Force and acting Australian Federal Police commissioner, will be attending on Tuesday.

So too will various senior government representatives.

The names of the AFP medal recipients are being withheld until the ceremony.


Share
2 min read

Published

Updated



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world
Accolades for Aussie cave rescue heroes | SBS News