The Courier Mail
THU
Accolades to a hero
By Glenis Green, Alex Murdoch
NO person in the world other than Steve Irwin could have
commanded such heartfelt tributes from such a diverse range of celebrities and
personalities.
From Prime Minister John Howard to sports legends,
Oscar-winning actors, university professors and even Anthony, the blue Wiggle,
they paid their last respects either in person or on film at yesterday's
ceremony.
Australian actor David Wenham recited a moving piece of
Rupert McCall poetry and country music icon John Williamson sang the Crocodile
Hunter's favourite True Blue songs.
Those who spoke in person were Mr
Howard, Wiggle Anthony Field, friend and Australia Zoo director Wes Mannion, Irwin's father Robert Irwin Sr,
Filmed tributes, introduced by actor Russell Crowe, featured
fellow actors Cameron Diaz and Kevin Costner, American talkshow
host Larry King, singer Justin Timberlake, executive vice-president of the
Discovery Network Clark Bunting and
Mr Howard probably summed it up
best when he said of Irwin: ``In everything he did he
was direct, he was genuine and oh so Australian and that is what we loved about
him. Can I say to you, Terri . . . there are 20 million pairs of Australian
arms reaching out to embrace you this morning."
Larry King said that he had interviewed presidents, kings
and Oscar-winning movie stars, ``but once I talked to the real-life world
famous Croc Hunter, well that made me a hero".
Queensland Governor Quentin Bryce was among the first to
arrive, while Mr Howard, Opposition Leader Kim
Beazley and Queensland Premier Peter Beattie alighted from chauffeur-driven
cars.
Others, including former ironman
champion Grant Kenny and his former swimming star wife Lisa Curry-Kenny,
motorcycle champion Mick Doohan and former world
boxing champion Kostya Tzu, made low-key entrances.
Former rugby league great Mal Meninga,
however, rejected all the celebrity trappings -- arriving on a bus.