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Dr Richard Harris OAM
PrintIn July 2018, Adelaide Dr Richard Harris made worldwide headlines when he joined an international team to rescue a group of 12 boys and their soccer coach from a flooded cave in Chiang Rai, Thailand ending in a very successful outcome for all whose who were trapped. Richard was named joint winner of the Australian of the Year award in 2019 along with his dive partner, Craig Challen for the Thai cave rescue.
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Testimonials for Dr Richard Harris OAM
Dr Richard Harris was a sheer delight to work with. He went over and above to customise his presentation to our audience which certainly did not go unnoticed. The feedback for his session was amazing with phrases such as “humble hero” and “true Australian legend” and being used freely. There was not a dry eye in the house.
eBusiness Media
Fee Range: POA
Dr Richard Harris OAM's Biography
Dr Richard “Harry” Harris OAM made worldwide headlines when he joined an international team to rescue a group of 12 boys and their soccer coach from a flooded cave in Chiang Rai, Thailand.
Dr Harris works in anaesthesia and aeromedical retrieval medicine in Adelaide, South Australia.
He has expertise in diving, wilderness and remote area health. 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.
In 2009 he was the recipient of the OZTeK'09 'Outstanding Achievement' Award to mark his exceptional contributions to cave diving exploration and in 2017 he won OZTek2017 'Tech Diver of the Year'.
Harry and the “Wet Mules” have explored the Pearse Resurgence in New Zealand to 229m depth, Daxing Spring in China to 213m and Song Hong Cave in Thailand to 196m to name a few.
He is an enthusiastic but inferior UW photographer and videographer who is resigned to capturing opportunistic images via helmet cams.
Harry has a professional and voluntary interest in search and rescue operations, establishing the first sump rescue training course in Australasia. By building relationships with emergency services in Australia he has been preparing for such an event.
In July 2018, Adelaide Dr Richard Harris made worldwide headlines when he joined an international team to rescue a group of 12 boys and their soccer coach from a flooded cave in Chiang Rai, Thailand. The Thailand Cave Rescue was an opportunity to put this training to work, ending in a very successful outcome for all whose who were trapped.
Richard was named joint winner of the Australian of the Year award in 2019 along with his dive partner, Craig Challen for the Thai cave rescue.
Richard was also awarded the Star of Courage for unwavering and selfless bravery following the successful rescue of the trapped soccer team and the Order of Australia for “service to the international community”.
He recently received an Australian award for Outstanding Contributions to Cave Exploration.
Both Dr Craig Challen and Dr Richard Harris have released 'Against All Odds' - The inside account of the Thai cave rescue and the courageous Australians at the heart of it.
Speaking Topics Include
'Against All Odds' - The inside account of the Thai cave rescue
Leading a team in a challenging environment
Seizing Opportunities