Murdoch University has awarded an honorary degree to the former Perth vet who was instrumental in the daring rescue of 12 children and their football coach who were trapped in a flooded cave in northern Thailand in July.
Murdoch University graduate Dr Craig Challen was at the centre of the remarkable rescue that had people across the world on the edge of their seats.
Dr Challen, a world-renowned cave diver, graduated from Murdoch in 1987 with a veterinary science degree, going on to co-found and build the Vetwest group of Animal Hospitals in Perth before retiring last year.
He received his honorary degree at a graduation ceremony in RAC Arena on Tuesday 18 September.
An honorary degree is the highest honour that a university can bestow, and Dr Challen was chosen not only for his part in the rescue but for his support of Murdoch veterinary students and graduates in providing them with placement and employment opportunities.
Dr Challen said he was surprised but pleased to be receiving the honour, adding that he remained stunned by the worldwide attention the rescue had generated.
“We went through and we did the job. Much of the coverage has made it sound a lot more noble than it was,” he said.
“We did what anyone would do - we had the skills that were applicable to the situation and so of course we helped.”
Dr Challen and his diving buddy – Adelaide anaesthetist Richard ‘Harry’ Harris – put their cave diving holiday to the Nullabor on hold and flew out to become part of the rescue operation in early July.
The friends had input into the overall rescue plan and Dr Challen helped take the boys and their coach from the platform where they were discovered to a dry section of the cave before passing them onto to the next group of cave divers. Mr Harris also evaluated each of the boys before the rescues were attempted.
“We never had any concerns for our own safety,” Dr Challen said. “This is what we do and we have plenty of experience in diving in dangerous cave systems like the one in Thailand.
“But we were terrified for the prospects of the boys. Initially, we thought we had little chance of getting them out alive and in all honesty, we thought we would be bringing bodies out.
“We spent hours working out ways we could rescue them. This kind of rescue was completely unprecedented but we had to give it a go.”
Dr Challen said he and Mr Harris were not aware of the success of the operation until they emerged from the cave at the end of each day.
“Our first question everyday was ‘did it go okay?’ We just had to press on and remain focused,” he said.
His experience at Murdoch laid a good foundation for what he has gone on to achieve in business and with cave diving, Dr Challen said.
“A vet degree is a good problem solving degree to do, providing great general life experience for undergraduates, and helping to develop resourcefulness and resilience in students,” he said. “These are essential foundations for success in all walks of life, not just in the veterinary field.
“I am a great believer that any education is good, and the experience of being in the academic environment at university helps to mould students into good people.
“In my experience of working with Murdoch graduates, the University has done a good job in producing early career vets who have good practical skills balanced well with theoretical knowledge.”
Murdoch Vice Chancellor Eeva Leinonen said the University was very proud to be able to honour Dr Challen with an honorary degree.
“In his brave public act of humanity, Dr Challen has made a remarkable contribution to the world community,” Professor Leinonen said.
“He contributed, with others around the world, to collectively plan and execute a response to a problem, that with today’s communications capabilities, engaged the world and became a world problem.
“This coupled with Dr Challen’s success in business over many years make him a Murdoch alumni our graduating students will be thoroughly inspired by.”
Dr Craig Challen was also announced as the 2019 WA Australian of the Year, receiving his award from WA Governor Kim Beazley, who himself received an honorary degree from Murdoch in 2016.
Two September ceremonies – the first to be held at RAC Arena - have honoured more than 1,100 new Murdoch University graduates and 84 people achieving PhDs from the University. They will be joining Murdoch’s growing family of more than 80,000 alumni around the globe.