Craig Challen

The hidden benefits of risk

September 2019

Talk length:

12:10

The hidden benefits of risk | Craig Challen | TEDxPerth

Following his involvement in the extraordinary Tham Luang Cave rescue, Craig challenges our aversion to risk and shows how learning to embrace it makes for a richer and more rewarding life. A technical cave diver and retired veterinary surgeon, Craig was the joint founder of Vetwest Animal Hospitals (later Australian Animal Hospitals). An avid cave diver since the early 90s he has explored caves and shipwrecks including in Australia, New Zealand, China, Thailand and the Cook Islands.

In 2018 Craig participated in the Tham Luang cave rescue of 13 people in Thailand. For his contribution, he was awarded the Star of Courage, the Medal of the Order of Australia, and was jointly named 2019 Australian of the Year with his long-standing dive partner Richard “Harry” Harris.

Craig Challen
Australian of the Year, Techincal Cave Diver and Veterinarian

Technical Cave Diver and retired Veterinary Surgeon from Perth, Craig was the joint founder of the Vetwest Animal Hospitals (later Australian Animal Hospitals). An avid cave diver since the early 90s he was an early adopter of then rapidly-developing technologies. Exploring both caves and shipwrecks throughout Australia and New Zealand and in China, Thailand, and the Cook Islands to name a few.

In 2018 Craig participated in the Tham Luang cave rescue of 13 people in Thailand. For his contribution, he was awarded the Star of Courage and the Medal of the Order of Australia. And has been jointly named 2019 Australian of the Year with his long-standing dive partner Richard “Harry” Harris.