In July 2018, respected cave diver and retired vet Dr. 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.
Challen was part of the international team that successfully rescued 12 boys and their coach from a flooded cave in Chiang Rai, Thailand.
Challen, 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, Challen 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.
Challen was awarded the Star of Courage for his unwavering and selfless bravery following the successful rescue of the trapped soccer team.
Dr. Challen's work was recognised by the National Australia Day Council and was announced as the joint-winner of the 2019 Australian of the Year award with fellow diver Richard Harris, and 2019 Western Australian of the Year.
Dr. Challen continues to give back the communities of WA and is the SunSmart Busselton Jetty Swim 2020 Ambassador.
"Our 25th anniversary of the Busselton Jetty Swim is a celebration of the phenomenal team effort over the years from our current and past committee who have contributed enormously to the success of the event; the thousands of volunteers behind the scenes who work tirelessly over the event weekend; the dozens of community groups that give their all to ensure we are safe in the water and on the foreshore, and we are well fed, and to the thousands of swimmers of all ages and abilities that have challenged themselves to participate in our event," Busselton Jetty Swim president Max Higgins said.
"We are proud to have the support from Dr Craig Challen to recognise the significance of our event and the effect it has on the swimming community throughout the state and Australia."
Dr. Challen will be officiating over the weekend and giving the swimmers the support and words of encouragement at the official start of the main swim on February 9. For the full weekend event schedule go to busseltonjettyswim.org.au.
