Dr Craig Challen SC OAM

Australian of the Year, cave explorer and part of the Tham Luang cave rescue team

Dr Craig Challen SC OAM is an Australian veterinarian, businessman, adventurer, pilot and cave diver.

As the founder of Vetwest Animal Hospitals, he combined clinical practice with entrepreneurship in building a privately-held group of 19 veterinary practices before retiring in 2017.

In over 25 years of cave diving he has explored caves throughout the world and conducted some of the longest and deepest cave dives on record. This continues in 2024 with recent expeditions to China and South Africa.

In July 2018 he participated in the Tham Luang cave rescue in northern Thailand, during which 13 members of a junior soccer team were rescued after 17 days trapped by flood waters more than two kilometres inside a cave.

For their part in the rescue, he and his long-standing dive partner, Richard Harris, were awarded the Star of Courage and jointly named 2019 Australians of the Year.

Dr Craig Challen SC OAM Book as a speaker/entertainer for your next event

Key Points for Dr Craig Challen SC OAM

Dr Craig Challen SC OAM is the founder of Vetwest Animal Hospitals, where he successfully combined his clinical expertise with entrepreneurship, building a network of 19 veterinary practices before retiring in 2017.
With over 25 years of experience, Craig is an accomplished cave diver, known for conducting some of the longest and deepest cave dives on record. His passion for exploration continues with expeditions to challenging locations like China and South Africa.
In July 2018, Craig played a crucial role in the Tham Luang cave rescue in Thailand, where he helped save 13 members of a junior soccer team trapped deep inside a flooded cave.
For his heroic efforts in the Tham Luang rescue, Craig was awarded the Star of Courage and was jointly named 2019 Australian of the Year alongside his dive partner, Richard Harris.

Topics for Dr Craig Challen SC OAM

Leadership
Motivation
Leading and inspiring your team

Testimonials for Dr Craig Challen SC OAM

Craig was great, very engaging in his presentation.
Grain Growers Association of Australia

We have never heard a rail dinner so quiet and captivated! Craig Challen was a lovely engaging speaker and was really well received. Thanks to Craig for his wonderful speech.
Informa Australia

Engaging, interesting and a great balance of telling a serious story but with humour.
Business Events Perth

Humble, engaging and a superb storyteller...Craig Challen was amazing.
Sanitarium Health and Wellbeing

Audience loved Craig Challen, he even got a standing ovation.
FE Money Management

Loved the story and Dr Craig Challen was a pleasure to work with.
Insight Technology