Steve was my soul mate, says Terri Irwin
Steve Irwin's heartbroken widow has told of losing her soul mate, as plans were announced for a public memorial service at the Crocodile Hunter's wildlife park.
Terri Irwin was due to hold a news conference outside Australia Zoo on Wednesday to announce details of the service for her husband, but was too upset and released a statement instead.
At the news conference, Steve Irwin's father, Bob Irwin, read the statement from Terri in which she thanked the public for their "overwhelming outpouring of love, support and prayers for my family".
She referred to husband as her "soul mate" and "wildlife warrior".
Mrs Irwin has remained in seclusion with her children Bindi, eight, and two-year-old Bob, since Irwin's death from a stingray barb to the chest in an incident on the Great Barrier Reef on September 4.
Steve Irwin's business manager, John Stainton, said Mrs Irwin had wanted to address the public but was still struggling too much with her grief to speak.
But he said she and Bindi would address the memorial service to be held at the 5,500-seat Crocoseum at Australia Zoo, north of Brisbane, at 9am next Wednesday.
Australia Zoo and Ticketek at Brisbane and Maroochydore, on the Sunshine Coast, will distribute 3,000 free tickets to the memorial from 9am on Friday.
Mrs Irwin said in the statement she knew larger Brisbane venues, such as Suncorp Stadium and the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, had been earmarked for the service.
"However, it is my wish that the memorial service be held here in the Crocoseum at Australia Zoo which is where Steve would have wanted it," she said.
"I cannot see how a memorial service for Steve would work in any other place other than the Crocoseum which he built here at the zoo and of which he was so proud.
"I would therefore ask that everyone please bear with me in this wish and help me to make this happen."
She understood many people would not be able to attend, so the family would work with local and state governments to supply large TV screens at venues at Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.
And the service would be broadcast on television live through the ABC to Australia, Asia and the US.
Mr Stainton said it would be a tribute to Irwin's life, from the boy to the man, with guests sharing their memories of him.
He said John Williamson would perform Irwin's favourite song, True Blue, but the memorial would not be an "elaborate variety show".
"It's more a tribute to his life and a celebration of what Steve was about," he said.
"We're going to try to cover as many facets of his whole entire life from when he was a little boy to when he left us."
Mr Stainton had said earlier that tickets could be reserved by making a donation to Steve Irwin's charity, Wildlife Warriors.
But he later said Australia Zoo and Ticketek at Brisbane and Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast will distribute 3,000 free tickets to the memorial from this Friday.
Aren't you guys something like 14-16 hours ahead. I'm here in Northwest FL on central time. 
