Loved by Aussies - and the world
By Alex Murdoch and Glenis Green
Daily Telegraph
STEVE Irwin may have begun a humble zookeeper but he soon
rubbed shoulders with the cream of both local and international society.
Yesterday, while thousands of ordinary people streamed into
Australia Zoo's Crocoseum to pay their last respects,
a mix of these movers and shakers filed in a side gate to bid their own
personal final farewell to the man the world knew as the Crocodile Hunter.
From politicians to sporting heroes, children's entertainers
to the occasional movie star, it seemed no one was left untouched everyone
knew and loved the larger-than-life character.
Queensland Governor Quentin Bryce was the first to arrive,
ushered past the gates in stately style in a flag-flying Holden Caprice.
While Prime Minister John Howard, Opposition Leader Kim
Beazley and Queensland Premier Peter Beattie also arrived in their
chauffeur-driven government cars, they were keen to throw politics aside for
the man who championed conservation.
"My fellow Australians, we gather in this special place
that Steve created to celebrate the life of a remarkable man and fellow
Australian," Mr Howard told the memorial service
before directing his words towards Irwin's immediate family.
"Can I say to you Terri (wife), to Bob (father), Bob
(son) and Bindi (daughter) and to all other members
of the Irwin family, we grieve with you but we celebrate this remarkable life.
"In everything he did he was direct, he was genuine and
oh so Australian. That is what we loved best about him. There are 20 million
pairs of Australian arms reaching out to embrace you this morning."
Others famous faces including former ironman
champion Grant Kenny and his former swimming star wife Lisa Curry-Kenny,
five-time 500cc motorcycle champion Mick Doohan and
former world boxing champion Kostya Tszyu, made a low-key entry in a communal Tarago used to ferry VIP guests.
Irwin's close friend actor David Wenham rolled up with
Anthony Field, aka the blue Wiggle. Fellow Wiggles
Murray Cook and Jeff Fatt made a later appearance on
foot.
Former rugby league great Mal Meninga,
however, rejected all the celebrity trappings arriving on the bus like
everyone else.
Tszyu said there was no way he
would have missed Irwin's memorial.
"I just got back from
Tszyu said the Irwin he knew was
first and foremost still a kid at heart.
"I've known him (Steve) for quite some time he came
one day to my place with Russell (Crowe).
"I have a few animals in the house and he would jump
and play with the rabbit like he was a real kid.
"It was amazing. He was so real, he was not a
fake."
Tszyu said he was still in shock
and simply could not believe his friend was gone.
Mr Beazley said he did not think
any other Australian had become as internationally well-known as Irwin.
"He was the quintessential Australian," he said.
Mr Beattie described Irwin as a
wildlife educator who would be sadly missed.