Thai cave rescue hero appointed as Lieutenant Governor
Premier Peter Malinauskas has appointed anaesthetist and Thai cave rescue hero Dr Richard Harris OAM to the role of Lieutenant Governor of South Australia.
Adelaide doctor and cave diver Richard Harris. Photo: Oztek / AP
Harris is a former Australian of the Year and will replace Dr James Muecke, who has served in the role since 2022.
He has more than 30 years’ experience as an anaesthetist and rose to global prominence following his involvement in the rescue of 12 children trapped in a Thai cave.
Harris has also participated in other complex diving recoveries and in 2017 he was awarded the Australian Technical Diver of the Year.
He will serve as deputy to Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, the Governor of South Australia, and will act as the state’s Vice Regal representative in the absence of the Governor.
Premier Peter Malinauskas thanked outgoing Lieutenant Governor Muecke and congratulated Harris on his new role.
“Dr Richard Harris has dedicated his life to helping others and I have every confidence he will serve our state with distinction as the new Lieutenant Governor of South Australia,” he said.
Harris will be sworn in by the Governor at a ceremony on Friday, February 9 at Government House.
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