Celebrities pay tribute
Herald Sun
PRIME Minister John Howard was among a string of political
leaders, singers, actors, entertainers, academics and friends who have
delivered tributes at the memorial service for Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin
today.
More than 5000 people crowded into the zoo’s Crocoseum on the
"My fellow Australians, we gather in this special place
that Steve created to celebrate the life of a remarkable man and remarkable
Australian," Mr Howard said.
"Steve Irwin touched the hearts of Australians and
touched the hearts of millions around the world in a very special way.
"He did that because he had that quality of being
genuine, of being authentic, of being unconditional and having a great zest for
life and throughout his all-too-short life he demonstrated a love for the two
things that ought to matter more to all of us than anything else - his love of
his family and his love of his country."
Mr Howard said he brought to
Australians and to the world an understanding of nature.
"He taught our children in particular to love and
respect all creatures great and small," he said.
"In everything he did he was direct, he was genuine and
oh so Australian and that is what we loved about him."
Actor Russell Crowe in a taped tribute from
"Your passing has suspended reality for all of
us," he said.
"It was way too soon and completely unfair on all
accounts.
"I know as humble as you always were you would still be
pleased to know that the world sends its love and people all over this planet
have been grieving.
"We have all lost a friend, we have lost a champion and
we are going to take some time to adjust to that."
To a standing ovation Aussie singer songwriter John
Williamson sang True Blue, the Crocodile Hunter's favourite
song, earning a standing ovation from the crowd.
Australian actor David Wenham reading a
poem by Rupert McCall.
My daughter broke the news to me my six year-old in tears
It was like she'd just turned old enough to show her honest
fears
I tied to make some sense of it but whilst her Dad was
trying
His little girl explained it best, she said: ‘The crocodiles
are crying.
Their best mate's up in heaven now - the crocs up there are
smiling.
Close friend Wes Mannion, who was
saved by the Crocodile Hunter when a crocodile attacked him in 2001, said he
"found his calling" and his best friend when he visited Australia Zoo
as a young boy.
"I'd expected many things that day but nothing could've
prepared me for the man I was about to meet," Mr
Mannion said.
"His name was Steve.
"Steve's enthusiasm was instantaneously infectious. His
love and passion for wildlife was so enveloping that at the time I found it
difficult to breathe."
Mr Mannion,
now Australia Zoo's director, said they "hit it off immediately".
"And from that moment on my life became a montage of
adventure and excitement," he said.
Mr Mannion
said he would never forget the first time he fed his first crocodile at the age
of 15 and said if Mr Irwin was around, he felt he
could achieve anything.
"As the years have gone by I've watched Steve find the
woman of his dreams, seen the world fall for Steve's enthusiastic love of
wildlife ... seen Australia Zoo become one of the best zoos in the world. But
by far Steve's greatest achievement has been as a dad," Mr Mannion said.
"Steve has become my brother, mentor and best mate.
"To the world he was a hero, to me he was my hero, he
saved my life.
"I'll miss you mate."
Introducing a series of videos, producer and mate John Stainton said Mr Irwin was
"a true, fair dinkum Aussie".
"Today I want to share with you the way he changed my
life forever," he said.
"From the time we first met we clicked.
“The khaki-clad wildlife warrior and the city slicker became
the best of friends over 20 odd years, and they were odd."
Irwin had been not only active in front of the camera but
behind it, he said.
"You could always rely on Steve to get the best shot,
and the dangerous ones at that," he said.
"But in front of the camera Steve was the ultimate
professional."
Actor Kevin Costner also gave a taped tribute.
"His son and daughter and his wife can be very proud
that not only was their father seemingly to the rest of the world fearless when
we was around these animals," he said.
"Where he is the most fearless is that he let us see
who he was and that's being brave in today's society because ... you show
yourself to so many people willing to mimic you and mock you.
"He was unafraid of that because he knew his idea and
his truth was a lot bigger than the aside joke."
American talk show host Larry King, also in a recorded
tribute, said he loved having Steve on his show, not just because it was
“terrific television” but also because it “impressed his two young sons”.
"I've interviewed presidents, kings and Oscar-winning
movie stars," he said.
"But once I talked to the real-life world famous Croc
Hunter, well that made me a hero.
"Steve's connection with kids will be one of his
enduring legacies," Mr King said.
"He took them to the animal world, up close and
personal.
"He gave them an education, as well as
excitement."
Children's entertainers The Wiggles also paid tribute to Mr Irwin, while
"People were just taken by him, they were just inspired
and in awe of his energy and how he actually went about putting himself forward
and what he represented," Diaz said.
"Every kid was in love with the idea of being able to
be him."
US pop star Justin Timberlake and Australian actor Hugh Jackman also delivered video messages.
Jackman said everyone should
become wildlife warriors like Mr Irwin.
"Whether it's for the wilderness, whether it's for the
animals, his family, whether it's for just the planet, or just life in itself,
Steve showed us that we can live like warriors and we can make the world a
better place," he said.
"To Terri and Bindi and Bob
and Steve's family and friends, I may have only really spent a day with you
guys but it was a day I'll never forget, and I'll never forget what I learned
just by being around Steve," Timberlake said.
"While not formally trained as a scientist he had all
the qualities of a great scientist," he said.
"He was driven by curiosity and he had an endless list
of questions that he sought answers to.
"In fact in recognition of his standing and
contribution to science the