Dr Richard Harris SC OAM
Australian of the Year 2019, Thai Cave Rescue Diver, Anesthetist and Keynote Speaker
Joint Australian of the Year 2019 in recognition of his work to rescue 12 soccer players and their coach from a cave in Thailand in July 2018. Dr Richard “Harry” Harris has worked in anesthesia, diving, and aeromedical medicine around the world and administered anesthetic to each of the evacuees to facilitate their rescue.
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An advocate for sensible risk taking in young people, encouraging youth to get off their screens and outside to build independence, resilience, and improved mental health.
Dr Richard “Harry” Harris has worked in anaesthesia, diving, and aeromedical medicine around the world.
His passion for cave diving goes back to the 1980’s and has taken him to the corners of the globe in search of new adventures.
Harry has a professional and voluntary interest in search and rescue operations, establishing the first cave diving rescue capability in Australasia. The 2018 Thailand cave rescue was an opportunity to put this training to work.
Harry received the Star of Courage, and the Medal of the Order of Australia for this role. He was the joint 2019 Australian of the Year with his dive partner Craig Challen and is now primarily working as a speaker, author, and film maker.
He is currently serving as the Lieutenant Governor of South Australia.
Topics
- Team building
- Resilience
- Leadership
- Adventure
- Decision making under pressure
- Exploration
