"They need to be able to find their own boundaries and to test their own limits."

Dr Harris added that it was"equally important to ask parents to relax a little and let them have a bit of rope to do that".

"Outdoor activities really do promote physical and mental wellbeing,"he said.

Dr Challen said being recognised was"a great honour ... beyond my wildest expectations".

"I am really somewhat astounded that the pursuit of a hobby for the last 22 years has led to so much interest and acknowledgement,"he said.

He said the Thai rescue mission was a metaphor for the importance of taking chances in life that presented themselves.

"We could have easily just not turned up,we had lots of other things to do but it was'this is a once-only shot - the chance isn't going to come again',and everybody has that in their own little way,"Dr Challen said.

"Australia is a place that presents us with so many opportunities and it's up to all of us to step up and take it and give it a go."

In his acceptance speech,Dr Challen said Australians should resist the temptation to"take the easy route"in life,and to use their good fortune in to help others.

Dr Harris's medical expertise was instrumental in the plan to safely evacuate the children.

After swimming through the narrow cave system to assess the health of those trapped and giving the medical all-clear for each child,he administered an anaesthetic to each to enable their rescue and remained underground until the last evacuee was safe.

Dr Challen's technical expertise was critical to the rescue and he worked 10 to 12 hours each day in perilous conditions to swim the children one-at-a-time through the dark and narrow flooded caves.

The pair had been about to leave for a cave-diving holiday when they received the call for help with the delicate rescue mission.

Massola,author ofThe Great Cave Rescue,said both divers had displayed both courage and humility - and that their extraordinary efforts should not be minimised.

While researching the book,he said,it was clear neither of the men had wanted to claim any credit,but"it soon became apparent just how instrumental the pair had been".

"While they may protest they did nothing special,make no mistake:their extraordinarily specialised skills and expertise saved the lives of the Wild Boars soccer team. They are both heroes."

Northern Territory hip-hop artist Danzal Baker - who raps in the Yolngu Matha language under the moniker Baker Boy – was named 2019 Young Australian of the Year for his work both in the arts and mentoring young people in remote Indigenous communities.

Kate and Tick Everett,who spearheaded a national anti-bullying campaign after the tragic suicide of their 14-year-old daughter Dolly,were named winners of the 2019 Local Hero award,which acknowledges Australians who have made remarkable contributions to their communities.

The Everetts are also from the Northern Territory.

Canberra paediatrician Sue Packer was named 2019 Senior Australian of the Year for her work in child abuse prevention and treatment,as well as advocating for child-friendly spaces in hospitals and the value of play in recovery from illness.