lonelywombat
January 25th, 2019, 15:54
here is part of the official announcement
Richard Harris and Craig Challen led a heroic rescue under the spotlight of the world’s media. They placed the safety of others above their own and inspired hope when hope seemed lost," Ms Roche said, adding that the divers' decision to risk their lives "typifies the Australian spirit".
“They embody the very best of the Australian spirit – a commitment to improving the lives of others, a determination to succeed and the ability to inspire us to think about how we can contribute to our nation,” she said.
"They are the people that make us proud to be Australian."
Before learning he had won the top honour, Dr Harris said being recognised as a finalist was "a completely unexpected result" from what had seemed at the time to be "just doing a job".
"We felt very priviledged to be involved in such a massive undertaking, but it just felt like we were doing the stuff we were trained to do," he said.
"We had no idea of the size of the global story while we were in the cave, and it came as a bit of a shock when we came out."
The cave rescue was an international media sensation and has been the subject of three books - including one by Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's south-east Asia correspondent James Massola - and a $4 million movie deal. (https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/richard-harris-craig-challen-land-6m-book-movie-deal-on-thai-cave-20181105-p50e6r.html)
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/thai-cave-rescue-divers-named-2019-australians-of-the-year-20190125-p50tqm.html
Richard Harris and Craig Challen led a heroic rescue under the spotlight of the world’s media. They placed the safety of others above their own and inspired hope when hope seemed lost," Ms Roche said, adding that the divers' decision to risk their lives "typifies the Australian spirit".
“They embody the very best of the Australian spirit – a commitment to improving the lives of others, a determination to succeed and the ability to inspire us to think about how we can contribute to our nation,” she said.
"They are the people that make us proud to be Australian."
Before learning he had won the top honour, Dr Harris said being recognised as a finalist was "a completely unexpected result" from what had seemed at the time to be "just doing a job".
"We felt very priviledged to be involved in such a massive undertaking, but it just felt like we were doing the stuff we were trained to do," he said.
"We had no idea of the size of the global story while we were in the cave, and it came as a bit of a shock when we came out."
The cave rescue was an international media sensation and has been the subject of three books - including one by Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's south-east Asia correspondent James Massola - and a $4 million movie deal. (https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/richard-harris-craig-challen-land-6m-book-movie-deal-on-thai-cave-20181105-p50e6r.html)
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/thai-cave-rescue-divers-named-2019-australians-of-the-year-20190125-p50tqm.html