Cave divers Richard Harris and Craig Challen have been named the joint Australian of the Year for their heroic work in helping to rescue 12 soccer players and their coach from a flooded cave in Chiang Rai, Thailand.

Kate and Tick Everett (Australia's joint Local Hero), Suzanne Packer (Senior Australian of the Year) and Danzal Baker (Young Australian of the Year) were also honoured at a ceremony Friday evening in Canberra.

This year, work on behalf of the rights of children links all winners, whether through acts of heroism over a short time or in supporting the mental health and education opportunities of Australia's young people.

In June 2018, a story captured worldwide attention as millions watched and waited to see if 12 Thai soccer players and their coach would escape the cave where they became trapped after heavy rain.

Central to the rescue mission were Australians Dr Harris, an anaesthetist, and Dr Challen, a retired vet, who were presented with their trophies by Prime Minister Scott Morrison in a ceremony at the National Arboretum.

The pair, who were long-term friends before their sudden fame, were nominated for Australian of the Year from their respective states, Dr Harris in South Australia and Dr Challen in Western Australia.

A statement from the Australian of the Year Awards said the diving duo had shown "unwavering and selfless bravery", for which they had also received the Star of Courage.

"The pair have remained humble about their role in the rescue, but have been embraced proudly by Australians as quiet heroes whose efforts are admired and applauded," the statement read.

It was a mission that could very easily have failed, had it not been for the expertise of those involved in extracting the trapped soccer team.

"We fully expected casualties with this, the result that we got was beyond our wildest dreams," Dr Challen told the ABC at the time.

"The feeling was that we were engaging in this probably impossible task, but there was no alternative."

Dr Harris told the crowd on Friday night he remained "astounded that the pursuit of a hobby for the last 22 years has led to so much interest and acknowledgement and me being up here tonight".

He said despite the near tragedy that took place in the Thai caves in June, he wanted children to be given the freedom to "test their own limits".

"I do fear for kids today who, living in a risk-averse society, will not learn to challenge themselves and to earn the grazed knees and stubbed toes that really are necessary to build resilience," he said.

It is the first time two state finalists have been jointly awarded the title of Australian of the Year.

'There is no place for bullying'

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Watch Duration: 1 minute 58 seconds 1 m 58 s Kate and Tick Everett named 2019 Australia's Local Hero

The parents of Amy 'Dolly' Everett, who took her own life due to bullying, have been named Local Hero in the Australian of the Year awards.

In the wake of Dolly's death, Kate and Tick Everett mobilised their supporters and strived to build something out of their grief.

They created Dolly's Dream, an initiative aimed at tackling cyber-bullying and helping young people at risk of mental illness and suicide.

The Northern Territory cattle farmers have previously admitted to being unaccustomed to media attention, but said they were determined to create change.

Tick and Kate Everett were named Local Heroes in the Australian of the Year awards 2019 at a ceremony in Canberra. ( ABC News: Clare Sibthorpe )

"Out of all the sadness that the loss of our daughter has brought to our lives, we feel that through losing Dolly we would like to help other families by making an awareness of bullying and harassment that some people are sadly subject to," they said after Dolly's death in January 2018.

While the tragedy devastated the small pastoral community Dolly had called home, it also tapped into a widespread issue posing a uniquely modern challenge to parents, teachers and authorities.

In their acceptance speech, the Everetts said Dolly's Dream, a tribute to their daughter, had "become a voice for all the Dollys of the world".

"Bullying is a learned behaviour, but so is kindness," Mr Everett said.

"We can combat this and teach our children to be kind instead and that bullying has no place in today's world."

From Milingimbi country to triple j: A voice for young people

Baker Boy spoke to audience of the Australian of the Year awards ceremony in Yolngu language. ( ABC News: Clare Sibthorpe )

Danzal Baker has been named Young Australian of the Year at a ceremony in Canberra for his work inspiring and encouraging young people in remote areas.

Better known as Baker Boy, the Northern Territorian rose to fame in 2017, coming in at 17th place in triple j's Hottest 100 for his single Marryuna.

The honour comes as a result of his work on behalf of Indigenous youth, as a rapper, dancer and visual artist.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Watch Duration: 1 minute 56 seconds 1 m 56 s Baker Boy is named 2019 Young Australian of the Year

A Milingimbi and Maningrida man, he expressed a clear objective early on: to be Australia's first Aboriginal artist to rap in an Indigenous language, going on to release Cloud 9, in which he raps in Yolngu Matha.

"I don't see or hear anyone that raps in language in Australia … I wanted to be the first Aboriginal rapper to rap in language, so I started writing," he told the ABC in 2017.

He was also a winner at the National Indigenous Music Awards and has signed a record deal with Select Music.

On Friday, Mr Baker addressed young people directly in a speech also given in his first language, Yolngu Matha.

"This message goes out to all my fellow young Australians, to Indigenous and non-Indigenous, girls and boys, every corner of this country," he said.

"It's important that no matter the struggles and the pressure society puts on you, stay strong, stay healthy, stay positive — you will get through.

"Every single one of us matters — our stories, our voices matters."

Canberran honoured for standing up for children's rights

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Watch Duration: 2 minutes 36 seconds 2 m 36 s Suzanne Parker is named 2019 Senior Australian of the Year

After decades working as a paediatrician, Suzanne Packer of the Australian Capital Territory was named Senior Australian of the Year for her work advocating for the rights of children and in child abuse prevention.

The Canberra resident said she recalled treating an eight-week-old baby as being a catalyst for her goal to help more children affected by neglect and abuse.

Canberra paediatrician Sue Packer was named Senior Australian of the Year for 2019. ( ABC News: Clare Sibthorpe )

"I observed for the first time in my career this baby freeze, almost not be able to see the baby breathing, no sign of life," Dr Packer said.

"It was absolutely shattering to look at this and to realise that experiences in the first eight weeks of life could produce this profound result."

Her work has focused on early intervention to prevent long-term harm for the developing brain, leading to recognition by education and government agencies.

Dr Packer was also instrumental in creating child-friendly space in hospitals and ensuring the role of play was recognised for its importance in recovery in children.

In her speech, Dr Packer once again advocated for children, saying adults needed to take responsibility for "when things go wrong".

"All of us must truly value all children irrespective of their circumstance, as full members of our society who are learning from all of us," she said.

"My dream is that one day Australia really will be the best place in the world to be a child."