"In the beginning"

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The views expressed in this blog are not necessarily the views of the blog management, (on the other hand, they are not necessarily not the views of the blog management).

No effort has been made to stay within the bounds of the truth in this blog as it has always been the view of the management that the truth should never be allowed to stand in the way of a good story.

Monday, September 04, 2006

Steve Irwin; The Crocodile Hunter.

...................................The Crocodile Hunter

Steve Irwin; The Crocodile Hunter. 1962 - 2006

Steve Irwin was killed today, Monday Sept 4th, while filming an
underwater documentary of the coast of North Queensland near
Port Douglas.

The cause of his death was a strike to the chest by the barb of
a giant sting ray which caused a heart attack, Steve would have
taken some heart from the fact he was doing what he most loved,
enjoying nature.

He is survived by his American born wife Terri, she was from
Oregon, and their two children, daughter Bindi aged 8 and son
Bob almost 3.

It is tragically ironic that his death occured the day after Fathers
Day here in Australia, as Steve was also a dedicated Father.

Steve who’s catch-cry “Crikey”, was known world wide, he was
also a world famous environmentalist and a staunch supporter of
the much feared saltwater crocodile that lives throughout coastal
Northern Australia.

Australia Zoo, located just North of Brisbane was the jewel in
the crown of the Irwin empire, it offers a unique glimpse of the
animals that Steve was so dedicated to in spacious and spotless
conditions.

The Irwin’s have gathered around them a team of people who
show the same dedication and enthusiasm that Steve and Terri
had, it will continue to attract big crowds just as it always has
and will serve as a very fitting memorial to Steve.

I must admit when he first burst onto the public scene I was a
little embarrassed by his exuberance and thought, “I hope
people overseas don’t think all Australians are like that.”

As I learnt more of his dedication and the good work he was
doing however I started to think more, “it’s a pity there aren’t
more people like Steve around, the world would be a better
place if there were.”

Heartfelt sympathy goes to Steve’s family, he will be greatly
missed as a “true blue Aussie”


26 comments:

Merle said...

Hi Peter ~~ Good post on Steve Irwin
and quick off the mark. I wasn't sure if you would have a radio on to hear
about it. He was darned unlucky for the sting to pierce his heart.
Take care, I am running your counter up with quite a few visits.Merle.

Merle said...

Hi again Peter ~~ Glad I found the
Steve Irwin, I always watch Andrew Denton's Enough Rope. Marcus said he
watches it too and Warren mentioned it. To reach me at my new site
I meant to write it down and will for the next one http//heronsNest2.blogspot.com/

I think I typed heronsnest and it came out Nest. Bye, and thanks, Merle.

Anonymous said...

Wow. How horrible. My kids love him. I hadn't heard anything about it either...

JunieRose2005 said...

I was so sorry to hear about Steve Irwin's death- first thing this morning!

My son told me when he got home from work about 8:00 -so I rushed to your site, knowing you'd have the story on.

He will be greatly missed.

June

Anonymous said...

Geez - that is a shocker. How awful. So sad for the kids.

Christina said...

I didn't know about Steve until I read your blog post. How tragic. we were big fans of the croc hunter.

Crazedmomof4 said...

That was a bit of a shock when I turned on the computer & saw Steve had died. I feel for his wife & kids.
He has always been a favorite for my family. We will miss him.
Nice post you wrote about him.

Laurie said...

That's so sad. My sister just called and old me about it. Very nice post.

Vickie said...

I did not know this until I read your post, what a shock it was to me.

I really liked him and as you said he has done a lot of good work.

We all lose with his passing but I just try to imagine what his family must feel, my thoughts are with them.

As always thanks for such a great post.

Jamie Dawn said...

Steve Irwin will be missed by many people around the world.
I feel so sad for his wife and kids.
The nature of his work involved risk, and he was well aware of that. When working with dangerous animals, there is always an element that cannot be controlled no matter how skilled a professional you are. How very sad for him to lose his life in such a rare incident, a freak accident.
His smile will be remembered by me. I always loved his great smile.

Hale McKay said...

A very nice tribute to Steve Irwin! I was stunned when I heard the news this morning.

While I was not a fan of his TV programs, I have been long impressed with his love and crusades to protect the wildlife and the habitats they live in.

There are many mentions of Steve's passing on several Blogs I have read today. He certainly was well loved and respected, even on this side of the world.

I posted a brief note and his pic at the top of my sidebar today.

Jack K. said...

Thanks for this posting. We read it in our morning paper. My wife read it to me at breakfast.

Steve did give the rest of us a wake up call about caring for the environment. I hope the lesson will not be lost with his passing.

He was one great Australian among many.

Our condolences to his family. Perhaps they know better than anyone the idea that he died doing what he loved. In some way, we should all be so lucky.

Hale McKay said...

Peter, I tried to leave a comment over at Merle's Blog, but I was not allowed.

First it said to use my Beta Blogger account, which I was signed in already. It said I could also use my Blogger account, but it 'slapped my wrist' and said I need to use my Beta Blogger.

Then I saw something about a team ...

Anyway, please tell Merle that I had dropped in for a read and liked her "Friendship Prayer."

Thanks.

Meow (aka Connie) said...

Great dedication to a great bloke. Thanks Peter.
I only did mine this morning ... wasn't blogging yesterday, didn't get a chance.
Such sad news, he was such an amazing guy. The world has lost a truly amazing person.
I wonder if you know what's up with Merle's blog ??? I can't get onto it at all !!
Hope you are having a good week.
Take care, Meow

Sandy Hatcher-Wallace said...

I was so distressed to hear of the death of Steve Irwin...I just couldn't believe it at first. My condolences go out to his family and to all of Australia. Steve will be missed by everyone around the world.

Sandy Hatcher-Wallace said...

Call Merle and tell her that we miss her. I got to read all of her posts through bloglines, but was unable to reach her site. And her second site won't let me comment either.

Granny said...

Many of us here in the USA, including me, have posted tributes to Steve today.

I told my girls before they learned about it elsewhere. I knew about it almost as soon as it happened; had the news on when they broke in with the report.

A sad day for Australia. I looked at him as a symbol of the spirit of your country.

JunieRose2005 said...

Peter,

I ,too, was unable to post at Merle's new site! :( Please let her know I tried.

June

LZ Blogger said...

Peter ~ Sorry to hear about Steve Irwin's very untimely death... as I am sure you remember we were in Brisbane, QLD last summer and we took a drive over to Australia's Zoo in Beerwah to see Steve's zoo. He was not there on the day we were there. It was the CLEANEST Zoo I've ever seen. I could not help but feel sorry for his American wife and their two small kids. I am sure their loss will be a lot greater than those of us who were just his fans! It makes me very SAD! He was a great animal lover and a GREAT entertainer as well. ~ jb///

Hale McKay said...

Peter, it was Merle's site that wouldn't allow me to post a comment. Still that way.

Hale McKay said...

Merle's new site that is. The old one won't open.

Jacqui said...

Great post about Steve, I too felt like you at first, but after watching him on Denton was completely won over. We watched it again last night, and I kept having this feeling, how could anyone, so full of life, be dead.
We are leaving on Sunday, Germany and then the US.
jacqui

lime said...

as i said at my place, the man really inspired my son. when he was very young he'd walk around in his 'steve' outfit. he made me buy him a rubber chikcen so he could 'feed his crocs.' and he did a killer impersonation of all his aussie catchprhrases. most importantly he learned so much and retained nearly every fact her heard. such a sad loss for his family and for conservation and for australia.

i know youstopped by my place to do a beta comment test but glad to have you any time. :)

Jeanette said...

Hi Peter
Great post on Steve Irwin.
I felt like you and merle at first .But he was a good ambassador for the country and could draw a crowd were ever he went.my heart goes out to his young family .
Take care. Jan

Karen said...

He was such a wonderful man who will be missed all over the world. May he rest in peace and his family be comforted. Such a loss...

Thank you for your email about Merle's new blog.

Anonymous said...

Hi Peter,
I've seen your comments at other blog friends' sites, and 'know' you through Merle, but haven't stopped in here before.
I wanted to let you know that I was finally able, after several tried, to leave an 'anonymous' comment on Merle's new blog. She's sure had a rough trot! You've been a trooper helping her out.
So terribly sad about Steve Irwin. We loved to watch him.
Second try: Had the same problem here, so am trying again as 'anonymous'.
Kerri
http://colorsofthegarden.blogspot.com/