Cave diver and doctor Richard Harris wants to help more children navigate the outdoors

Dr Richard Harris has vowed to “inspire the next generation of explorers” at the Australian of the Year lunch in Adelaide.

Harry the hero has vowed to “inspire the next generation of explorers”, at the Australian of the Year lunch in Adelaide.

The anaesthetist named SA Australian of the Year says he’s “starting to get some clarity” around what to do with the honour bestowed upon him.

“I want to get kids to get out and about, get a few grazes on their knees, and take a few risks in a carefully managed way,” he said.

“So I’m looking to do some work with Operation Flinders and the Kids Foundation, and get out to schools and try and fire people up, to get them out to find their inner explorer.”

Best known for his role in the dramatic rescue of 12 boys and their soccer coach from a treacherous flooded network of tunnels in a Thai cave, Dr Richard (Harry) Harris has a passion for the great outdoors.

Dr Richard Harris, left, with diving partner Craig Challen, right. Dr Harris wants to help other children in their practical pursuits of exploring.

“I just think that I could be a good mentor for kids in that practical sense, out in the bush in remote areas, doing the stuff that I personally love,” he told The Advertiser.

“I really enjoy the work I do with kids as a doctor, I anaesthetise kids and I work on the helicopter rescue retrieval service, going to paediatric trauma and critical care cases.

“I really love working with children and I’m fearful for young children today, with helicopter parenting.”

Dr Harris will spend two weeks in the Flinders Ranges camping with disadvantaged and at-risk youth next year. He is also an ambassador for the Kids Foundation, supporting injury and burn survivors.

He hopes to encourage young South Australians to find their sense of adventure.

“My childhood was amazing, I was very fortunate to have a father who loved the outdoors,” Dr Harris said.

“He’d take us over to Coffin Bay and Kangaroo Island for summer holidays.”