Death of the Crocodile Hunter
Well, it's not often that the death of a non-royal, non-head-of-state can bring a nation into a period of mourning - but that's exactly what the death of Steve Irwin has done to Australia.
The famed Crocodile Hunter died this morning around 11am while filming a segment for his daughter's new television show, just off the north Queensland coast. A stingray's barb entered his chest, and punctured his heart. Now who on earth would have seen that one coming? When you think about it, it's typical Steve isn't it? He lived a life of unpredictable danger, and to extinguish his life in a way any less rare, spectacular and shocking would have been an anti-climax to a truly remarkable and awe-inspiring life.
Steve Irwin epitomised the Australian spirit of mateship, compassion and family. He lived his life true to his beliefs - he was a fantastic father, a great ambassador for this country and the true leader in the field of wildlife conversation. For many, many years to come, Steve Irwin will be remembered as a truly great Australian -- and one who I must say am privileged to have seen with my very own eyes. A few years ago I visited Australia Zoo with my family, and witnessed one of Steve's famous crocodile shows - a memory I will now always treasure.
A girl at uni today said "I was planning on visiting Australia Zoo just to see Steve, and now I never will." and it sort of just hit me - it's the end of an era for the Sunshine Coast - their main tourist attraction was not the zoo, but Steve himself. He put Beerwah on the international stage, and the Caloundra City Council and indeed the people of Queensland will always be thankful for his work in tourism that heput his heart and soul into.
But that's just it, isn't it? There wasn't a single thing that Steve undertook that he didn't put his entire heart and soul into. Movies, documentaries, television series, ambassador duties, television interviews, charity work - he went about every single facet of his public life with a special pazzaz and zest for life that I don't think anybody in Australia right now could match.
Vale, Steve Irwin. You will be sorely missed.
posted by Brentus @ 10:17 PM
5 comments
5 Comments:
True dat, mah nigger.
Steve was a bloody aussie legend and of course will be missed by many and his catchcry "crickey" and all the good work he has done will never been forgotten.
Cheers to the passing of a true aussie champ!
Steve was a great man for this country, even though a lot of people thought he was a bit of a toss. I don't think those people realise how much of this country he has tried to save, and the efforts we went through to show the world that they shouldn't be afraid of animals; as long as you respect them, they'll respect you. I heard on the radio yesterday someone call and say "The worst thing about this whole situation is that for the next month, people will be asking whether Stingrays are dangerous creatures and if we should cul them." This is truely a great tragedy for the Australian population
Steve was a great family man who cared so much about animals and the enviroment. We all felt that we knew him, i believe this is because of his vibrant personality and wonderful nature. I pray that his family has strength during this tragic time in their lives and that they find some reason for their great loss. I never met Steve, let alone visited Austrlaia Zoo. However, I feel great sadness that Australia has lost such a great Australian icon. Young kids looked up to the 'crock hunter' and now i fear there are less and less male role models for the youth of today to look up to. Steve Irwin you will be missed by your family, friends, co workers ... and people like myself...people who never knew you but who were touched by your actions and love for the enviroment. You were a ture Australian.
Crocs Rule!
Rest in Peace.
I cried when i heard about steve's sad passing. It was an end of an era for Australia. It was the passing of an absolute Aussie Legend.It was the death of a loving father and an adored father. To us the Australian public he was a true aussie icon, but more than that he was a father of two beautiful children and a loving husband of a wonderful woman. It is for their loss, more than for us as the Australian public, that i shed tears.
Rest in Peace you Aussie Legend
May your wife and children continue a wonderful legacy which you began.
Crikey
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