Steve Irwin farewelled at an
emotional Australia Zoo
Sydney Morning Herald
By Andy Young
Steve Irwin has been honoured at a
memorial service at Australia Zoo on
Politicians, performers and mates were among the thousands
who gathered to pay tribute to the Crocodile Hunter and his contribution to
wildlife preservation.
The memorial was opened by Russell Crowe, who summed up the
shock many people felt at Irwin's sudden passing.
"I hope someone will speak of what Steve achieved as a
conservationist but all I can do today is talk directly to my friend, my mate,
Steve," said Crowe.
"Your passing has suspended reality for all of us. It
was way too soon and completely unfair on all accounts.
"I know as humble as you always were that you would
still be pleased to know that the world sends its love.
"We have all have been grieving. We have all lost a
friend, we lost a champion and we are going to take some time to adjust to
that.
A tearful Crowe then finished his tribute: "Thank you
for every minute of your time. My hand, my heart Steven, my
friend."
There were numerous other stars including Justin Timberlake,
Cameron Diaz and Kevin Costner who paid tribute to the Wildlife Warrior.
Prime Minister John Howard was the first to address the
crowd directly at Australia Zoo.
"Steve Irwin touched the hearts of Australians and
touched the hearts of millions around the world in a very special way," he
said.
"He did that because he had that quality of being
genuine, at 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 us than
anything else - his love of his family and his love of his country."
One of Steve's favourite
performers John Williamson sang "True Blue" before the Wiggles then
paid tribute to the Croc Hunter.
Steve's best friend Wes Mannion,
manager John Stainton and father Bob Irwin also spoke.
There was a poem read by David Wenham as well as previously unseen images of
the Croc Hunter in action and with his family.
One of the most emotional parts of the memorial was when
Steve's daughter Bindi came out to pay tribute to her
father. She received a standing ovation from the crowd and then said how she
wanted to continue the conservation work of her dad.
"I don't want daddy's passion to ever end. I want to
help endangered wildlife just like he did," Bindi
told the crowd and then left everyone with a tear in their eye when she said:
"I had the best daddy in the whole world and I will miss him every
day."