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| Millions Watch Steve Irwin Memorial Service |
| Family, friends and fans celebrate life of the 'Crocodile Hunter' |
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Michael Clough (clough)  |
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Published 2006-09-21 01:51 (KST) |
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Millions of fans worldwide had their chance to bid farewell and celebrate the life of "Wildlife Warrior" Steve Irwin with the public memorial service for the television star and conservationist held at Australia Zoo at Beerwah on Queensland's Sunshine Coast Wednesday morning local time.
A worldwide audience estimated at over 300 million people joined the 5,000 packed into Australia Zoo's Crocoseum to celebrate the life of Irwin, who died Sept. 4 after being struck by a stingray barb.
There was barely an empty seat in the house with the exception of one, the seat between Steve's widow, Terri, and father, Bob, left there in Steve's honor as was the seat that he would regularly watch his daughter Bindi perform from.
The memorial started with an emotional videotaped tribute from Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe who is currently in New York.
"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," Crowe said
"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."
As he was falling into tear Crowe finished his tribute. "Thank you for every minute of your time. My hand, my heart Steven, my friend."
Australian Prime Minister John Howard also spoke at the service, saying to the crowd and to Irwin's family, "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."
Mr Howard also had a special message for widow Terri and the Irwin family.
"And as we share this celebration and we honour this life can I say to you, Terri, and the rest of your family, there are 20 million pairs of Australian arms reaching out to embrace you this morning," Mr Howard said.
Close friends Wes Mannion and John Stainton also paid tribute to their mate, Stainton recalling when he first met Steve Irwin
"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," Mr Stainton said
Actor David Wenham, who appeared in Irwin's 2002 movie "The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course" read out a poem.
Australian ballader John Williamson also performed his hit song "True Blue," which had been one of Steve Irwin's favorites.
On top of all the speeches and song video clips of Irwin's life, many aired in public for the first time were shown
Despite featuring some of the biggest names in showbiz and politics the real highlight was the speeches by Irwin's father, Bob, and daughter, Bindi
In a short speech Bob Irwin thanked the public for their support telling those assembled, "Please don't grieve for Steve -- he's at peace now."
"But I would like you to grieve for the animals - the animals have lost the best friend they ever had, and so have I," Mr Irwin said
Bindi received a standing ovation for her speech in which she vowed to continue her father's legacy. Reading from a prepared speech and showing a maturity and composure way beyond what a child of a tender eight years old would normally have Bindi told the crowd and viewing audience
"My Daddy was my hero - he was always there for me when I needed him. He listened to me and taught me so many things but most of all he was fun. I don't want daddy's passion to ever end. I want to help endangered wildlife just like he did, I had the best daddy in the whole world and I will miss him every day," she said.
"When I see a crocodile I will always think of him and I know that Daddy made this zoo so everyone could come and learn to love all the animals. Daddy made this place his whole life and now it's our turn to help Daddy."
The service concluded with Australia Zoo worker Brian Coulter symbolically packed the Crocodile Hunter's equipment, bedroll, and surfboard on the back of Irwin favorite truck, all to the backing of John Williamson's encore performance of "True Blue." As the loaded truck left the Crocoseum for the last time, fellow workers of Australia Zoo brought out wreaths of yellow flowers, spelling out the word that will now will always be associated with "The Crocodile Hunter"--Crikey.
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©2006 OhmyNews
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