Steve Irwin (crocodile hunter) dies..........

[Nutsy]

Irwin memorial may be released on DVD

Steve Irwin's memorial service is expected to be available on a DVD which could possibly sell millions of copies world-wide.

The Crocodile Hunter's public farewell at Australia Zoo was a slickly-produced spectacle, perfectly packaged for television.

Broadcast by several networks around Australia, the hour-long service was also telecast to hundreds of millions world-wide.

US-based cable channel Animal Planet beamed the service to an audience of around 90 million throughout North America.

The service started at 9am (AEST), but in the US it would have been targeting prime time TV audiences.

The BBC showed Mr Irwin's farewell in Britain and Europe and it was also broadcast throughout Asia.

The service featured video footage of Mr Irwin's wildlife exploits and tributes from Hollywood stars including Russell Crowe and Cameron Diaz.

Mr Irwin's best friend and producer John Stainton, the mastermind of the Crocodile Hunter series, directed the service.

Mr Stainton's offsider at the Brisbane-based Best Picture Show Company, Judi Bailey, said they were considering whether to make the program available on DVD.

"We've obviously been discussing that," Ms Bailey said.

She said Australian TV networks had already shown interest in re-running the memorial service.

The Seven Network repeated the program on Wednesday in a 4.30pm (AEST) broadcast.

Mr Stainton and Ms Bailey kept tight control of the media at the Australia Zoo service with the TV coverage pooled and print media access restricted.

Only three newspaper groups plus wire services Australian Associated Press and the Associated Press were officially accredited to have one reporter and photographer each inside the Crocoseum.

ABC radio broadcast live from inside the zoo but most media representatives were kept outside, watching the service on a few TVs that were provided under a tent.

Some organisations had gained entry to the zoo by queuing for some of the 3,000 free tickets made available to the public.

 

[Nutsy]

You don't know what goes on behind closed doors, she probably already has let go........ why would you assume she hasn't?

Why? Because it's what we've been told.. she has been staying strong for the children and no I don't know what goes on behind closed doors anymore than anybody else would know. But like I say.. it's all over the news here and if what John Stainton has said has any truth to it (which I imagine it would) then Terri hasn't actually let go yet, well up until the Memorial service yesterday anyway.

Yeah, she may have done so last night.. who knows? Nope, I don't know anymore than you would know.. but I was only making a point that others have also made.

ETA... Why is it that, the minute I open my mouth and say somthing, someone jumps down my throat. I don't do it to any of you, so how come you feel it's ok to do it to me?

 

[poohandwendy]

You don't know what goes on behind closed doors, she probably already has let go........ why would you assume she hasn't?

I think because it is really common, when there is a sudden unexpected death, for the real grieving to only truly begin after the dust has settled and you go back to 'normal' life. That is usually when it really comes to a head and people are left facing the reality of the loss. Letting go is a really long, private process. At least, that is what I think people are taking about.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I think because it is really common, when there is a sudden unexpected death

I agree....and I agree with Nutsy. I think Terry most likely has a very long road of grieving ahead of her. I know we lost my fil suddenly many years ago. My mil and he were very close---did everything together. She didn't have a true breakdown until close to a month or two later. It got really bad. Then, in 8/04, we lost her. Even though we knew she was going to die because she was living in our home on hospice, it still hit us hard months later. It was so hard to grieve initially because we had to get all her affairs in order, sell her home, take care of the will.......months later (as I'm sure Terry has alot of legal things to do as well), it hit my dh and I. Christmas 2004 was so very difficult for us. I cried more months later than I did just after her passing. It's almost like your body has defense mechanisms immediatly afterwards. The hospice team really helped us to work through all the up and down emotions you go through for the first year after losing someone too. I literally could not even sleep for over a year and was on a prescription sleeping pill under the care of my doctor. I would experience panic/anxiety attacks at night---something I never ever had trouble with before.
So, no, none of us know what goes on behind closed doors, but the natural progression of the grieving process unfolds over time.....it will actually get worse before it starts to get better for Terry unfortunately. I send prayers and hugs to the family.

 

[Planecrazy4dis]

Mannnnnn…you know you’re cool when you have general Maximus Decimus Meridias (Russell Crow) speaks at your memorial. I thought that part was very powerful. Especially at the end when Russell Crow put his hand out to shake his mate’s hand and give him his heart. WOW!!!

BTW Nutsy, what does “Fair Dinkum” mean? I’m sorry someone asked you that already.

 

[TLHB70]

BTW Nutsy, what does “Fair Dinkum” mean? I’m sorry someone asked you that already.

I have wondered that too.
Thanks for asking.
Nutsy, thanks for sharing all of the information with us. I will be waiting to learn what this means, too.

 

[Nutsy]

Mannnnnn…you know you’re cool when you have general Maximus Decimus Meridias (Russell Crow) speaks at your memorial. I thought that part was very powerful. Especially at the end when Russell Crow put his hand out to shake his mate’s hand and give him his heart. WOW!!!

BTW Nutsy, what does “Fair Dinkum” mean? I’m sorry someone asked you that already.

Here ya go...


True Blue
Steadfast loyal Australian who displays the Aussie ideals of a fair go for all, mateship, having a go, and solving problems.

Fair Dinkum
Virtually the same as True Blue - honest, reliable, trustworthy, dinki-di; someone who has embraced the Aussie attitudes to everything, especially mateship. 'Are you fair dinkum?' means 'are you telling the truth?'


When someoone tells us something that sounds really good or too good to beleive or maybe even something bad.. we will say to them "Fair Dinkum" or "Are you Fair Dinkum"

 

[Nutsy]

Walters said topics she will discuss with Terri include what her relationship was like with her husband and how she was informed of his death.

I know the answer to the question in bold, but I'll let you guys wait to hear it from Terri when the interview is televised.

 

[TLHB70]

Walters said topics she will discuss with Terri include what her relationship was like with her husband and how she was informed of his death.

I know the answer to the question in bold, but I'll let you guys wait to hear it from Terri when the interview is televised.

We leave for WDW on Saturday morning so I will be there next week when this interview happens. What day and time is it? I want to set my DVR. (I assume it will be ABC.)
Thanks!

 

[Nutsy]

The one-hour special will be aired in the US next Wednesday (September 27) and should reap huge ratings for ABC as Irwin, through his Crocodile Hunter documentaries, was a much-loved TV star in America.

 

[TLHB70]

The one-hour special will be aired in the US next Wednesday (September 27) and should reap huge ratings for ABC as Irwin, through his Crocodile Hunter documentaries, was a much-loved TV star in America.

Thanks!
I will definitely set my DVR!

 

[Nutsy]

So, no, none of us know what goes on behind closed doors, but the natural progression of the grieving process unfolds over time.....it will actually get worse before it starts to get better for Terry unfortunately. I send prayers and hugs to the family.

Very true... I've lost both my parents and we were in New Zealand when my Dad passed away.. never really hit home for a while.. I had a 9 month old baby and was 4 1/2 months preganant with my second at the time..

Then we lost Mum last October.. that hurt at first.. it was a shock.. but then it was just like she was still here.. I felt go guilty going through her stuff and giving her clothes to charity... I kept thinking that she was going to walk back in and have nothing to wear.

I cried for a day or so .. but it never really hit home for a few weeks... then I really let go.. I was trying to hold it all together as my eldest is very emotional and so I was trying to not to break down as I knew it would be a chain reaction once I did.

It does take time to grieve and I honestly believe that with Terri and the children it will be a longer process because of who Steve was... because he was so in your face with what he believed in.. he was so full of life and so loved by so many... so I really do think it's going to take her some time to really grieve their loss properly and she won't be able to move forward until she has.

She's had a lot to deal with over the past couple of weeks, a lot more than the average person does when they lose a spouse.

 

[Nutsy]

Bindi feeds one of his beloved elephants during the memorial service at Australia Zoo.

Brave Bindi's star shines


AS one of the world's greatest stars was farewelled in an emotional memorial yesterday, another's shone as Steve Irwin's 8-year-old daughter Bindi took centrestage to pay tribute to the man she called "the best daddy in the whole world".

The 5500-strong crowd of fans, family, friends, celebrities and politicians, including Prime Minister John Howard, erupted into spontaneous applause as the khaki-clad little girl stood dwarfed by the giant background posters of her famous father.

Calling the Crocodile Hunter simply "my Daddy", a brave Bindi told up to 300 million viewers around the world he was not only their hero, he was also her's.

As her confident, heartfelt words rang out, mother Terri Irwin – too distraught to give a public eulogy – fought back tears as she cuddled son Bob, 2, on her knee.

Bindi's words were the first from the Irwin family, apart from father Robert Irwin Sr, since the wildlife warrior's sudden death 16 days ago when he was pierced through the heart by a stingray barb while filming on the Great Barrier Reef.

Mr Irwin Sr even predicted after yesterday morning's hour-long live telecast memorial at Beerwah's Australia Zoo Crocoseum that Bindi would be "the next Crocodile Hunter".

"She was marvellous, absolutely marvellous, but then Bindi always is," he said.

Using a finger to trace the words she had written, Bindi said whenever she saw a crocodile she would always think of her father.

"I don't want Daddy's passion to ever end. I want to help endangered wildlife just like he did," Bindi said.

"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."

Bindi said she knew her father had "an important job . . . he was working to change the world so that everyone would love wildlife like he did".

Irwin's best friend and business manager John Stainton said later that Bindi had written every word of her speech and had insisted on reading it "because she was scared that she would forget something".

"Nobody interfered with her, I didn't have part of it," he said.

Terri Irwin, looking shattered by her husband's tragic death and never taking off her dark sunglasses, still managed to sit through what was clearly a deeply personal experience as the crowd both laughed and cried at a beautifully scripted snapshot of Irwin's life on screen, in song, in poetry and in speeches.

She later confided in close friends and family that she thought the memorial was "extremely good . . . something Steve would have been proud of".

Mr Stainton said the day had simply been too emotional for Terri to speak. "It was just better for her to, I can't say enjoy it, but endure it," he said.

Good friend and zoo director Wes Mannion, whom Irwin, 44, once saved from a crocodile's jaws, said his mate would have been "so proud" of Bindi's composure and strength.

"I mean, Steve and Bindi were incredibly close . . . and he (Steve) would have been going 'yeah, you beauty, darlin'," Mr Mannion said.

The memorial was played out beneath a perfect blue sky while die-hard Irwin fans clapped and cheered and laughed and cried alongside some of the country's and state's key political figures and entertainment stars.

The crocodiles which Irwin used to lure into the central lagoon to snatch tidbits from his fingers were instead replaced with a large floating wreath featuring the wildlife warrior's image and a huge "Crocs Rule" slogan.

Security fencing was decorated with signed khaki shirts, flags and flowers while Irwin's mud-splattered ute took pride of place alongside his swag and crocodile-catching gear.

As friend and country music icon John Williamson strode out on to the arena's crocodile feeding platform in front of a khaki-clad army of zoo staff to give voice to Irwin's favourite song True Blue, the tears were flowing freely.

True-blue tributes also flowed amid frequent standing ovations as Irwin's life and loves unfolded on film on the Crocoseum's giant screen in a flawless salute lovingly prepared by Mr Stainton to a man who "changed the world".

Even the animals got in on the act, with staff parading parrots, wombats, koalas, snakes and lizards, followed by the arrival of Irwin's three "favourite girls" – elephants Siam, Sabu and Bimbo.

Black cockatoos and rainbow lorikeets swooped in free flight around the stadium as a final troupe of teary staff placed golden flowers to form the word "Crikey" as Irwin's ute was packed up and driven away for the last time.

 

[Nutsy]

Tears flow for lovable larrikin

IN a cream-coloured condolence book, resting on a table before the entrance to Australia Zoo's Crocoseum, memorial guests summed up their feelings for Steve Irwin.

"Steve, you helped me see things in a new light," said Mary, in a six-line scrawl that canvassed the Croc Hunter's life from exuberant youngster to television icon and wildlife warrior.

"You were a gift to us all," said Mal.

Sentiments broke through margins: "You changed my life, Steve."

Words crashed into corners: "We will love you always."

Thoughts trickled across pages: "We will never forget."

Families spoke softly. Kids in fluffy crocodile suits quietly shuffled into line. At the entrance to the Crocoseum, a young mum unzipped her handbag and felt around for a plastic pack of tissues. She was going to need them.

And there he was: Steven Robert Irwin – croc catcher, tree hugger, snake charmer, brother, son, husband, father – staring out from a television screen: that ubiquitous grin beaming across the 5500 people gathered in his beloved Crocoseum, a stadium the size of a tennis arena surrounding a still crocodile enclosure. Khaki shirts signed by friends and fans were draped over the enclosure's black steel fence, beside the draped national flags of Australia, New Zealand and the US.

"He Changed Our World," the screen pronounced.

In a sectioned-off VIP area, John Stainton – the filmmaker who 15 years ago took Irwin from backwater braveheart to global phenomenon – greeted friends and family with handshakes and hugs.

Nicole Byrne, Irwin's faithful personal assistant, helped usher guests to their seats, thanking them for their gestures of sympathy. Justin Lyons, Irwin's intrepid long-time cameraman who was with Irwin when he died, assured friends he was doing OK.

Maybe the quality of a man can indeed be judged by the quality of his friends. Irwin's mates were champions: such as Kostya Tszyu, the two-time world boxing champ who was seated beside Allan Langer, and Mal Meninga, who sat next to Langer. To the right was motorcycling great Michael Doohan, trading Irwin stories with Grant Kenny and Lisa Curry-Kenny. Four seats down was Kasey Chambers. Across from her Raelene Boyle. Down from her sat Tracey Wickham. They were doing what we all do when a friend passes: they were reminiscing.

"Remember the time he flipped a 13ft salty."

"Remember that orang-utan he made friends with."

"Remember what he was like around a barbecue."

Then the crowd applauded. In a section to the left, Prime Minister John Howard made his entrance – sombre, restrained.

Calls echoed across the stadium: "Thanks for coming John."

To equally enthused applause, Opposition Leader Kim Beazley followed behind him. For the briefest moment, the two political bulls were seated side by side.

"Only Steve could make that happen," said a nearby Irwin friend.

Then the crowd rose to its feet, as eight-year-old Bindi Irwin – animal lover, media veteran, tough cookie – led her mum Terri and baby brother Bob into the stadium.

It was a standing ovation that lasted two minutes, climaxing with a wave of thanks from Bindi.

The calls echoed again.

"Be strong, Bindi."

"We love you, Terri."

Behind wide-rimmed sunglasses, Terri burst into tears. And she would not stop for the next hour and 10 minutes while two-year-old Bob wrestled merrily on her knee with a stuffed green and yellow toy crocodile.

Actor Russell Crowe began proceedings: "Your passing has suspended reality for all of us."

"We have all lost a friend, we have lost a champion and we are going to take some time to adjust to that."

It was hard to tell what would set guests off, what would tug their own individual heartstrings. Everybody had their breaking point: a poignant line from John Williamson's True Blue; the sincerity in David Wenham's voice as he read a Rupert McCall poem; Irwin's father, and lifelong hero, Bob Irwin's straight-up plea for the world to not grieve for Steve Irwin. "Grieve for the animals," he said. "The animals have lost the best friend they ever had, and so have I."

For many, the moment came when Steve's oldest friend Wes Mannion fought back tears to tell the world about the man who saved his life. How, no matter where you were – in the red-rock chasms of Central Australia or the harsh deserts of Africa – Steve Irwin made you feel safe. And you weren't mistaken, those were Mal Meninga's eyes welling with water.

With every tribute, Terri held baby Bob closer. Her father-in-law rubbed her shoulder. The PM shook her hand. When she was too moved to voice her thanks, she simply nodded her head. That's plenty polite for a grieving widow.

Where Terri couldn't speak, young Bindi spoke for her: "My daddy was my hero – he was always there for me when I needed him."

In a final gesture, a flock of rosellas were released into the Crocoseum. They dipped and soared around the stadium: vivid greens, reds and blues flashing across startled faces.

John Williamson returned with True Blue. The audience rose to its feet and sang along. People hugged. People mourned. And amid it all, there was baby Bob, his head tilted to the sky, trying to trace the flight paths of the rosellas. He was laughing, with a smile as wide and as bright as his old man's.

 

[lclark0621]

I was actually feeling really bad for Wes when I watched the memorial- Terri had her kids there to cuddle, but Wes looked really alone. Is he married? And poor Bob- no parent should have to bury their child.

He is married to someone who works at the zoo. I believe it is Jodie. And it looked like she was holding a child in the stands, which I think may be her's & Wes's child. I am not sure if they have a child, but I know they are married. Their ceremony was on Croc Diaries a few years ago.

Wes's speech was so hard to watch. He obviously loved Steve so very much. It broke my heart when he kept trying to choke back the tears.

Terri looks very very very tired. I feel so bad for her. I cant imagine losing my husband, but to have to do it when the whole world is watching & so many people are looking for support...That must be very hard.

I hope she has the love & support she needs.

 

[Mom2Angels]

Why? Because it's what we've been told.. she has been staying strong for the children and no I don't know what goes on behind closed doors anymore than anybody else would know. But like I say.. it's all over the news here and if what John Stainton has said has any truth to it (which I imagine it would) then Terri hasn't actually let go yet, well up until the Memorial service yesterday anyway.

Yeah, she may have done so last night.. who knows? Nope, I don't know anymore than you would know.. but I was only making a point that others have also made.

ETA... Why is it that, the minute I open my mouth and say somthing, someone jumps down my throat. I don't do it to any of you, so how come you feel it's ok to do it to me?

I was just wondering why you would assume that or anyone else would? Even if thats what you heard?? I'm sure she has been alone and just because others here have said things didn't hit them till days or weeks later, everyone is differnet so you just don't know. I've lost two sons so obviously I've been there, when I was by myself that is when I would really let go and when around others I held up very well, so you just never know.

And I didn't jump down your throat, why are you so sensitive?? Since your being so sensitive everytime someone questions you, I actually wanted to ask you this before, but hesitated. You talk as if you know the family personnely, like when I mentioned earlier about why would they let out the news of his death if it was not confirmed?? And you stated "The police would not confirm it was actually Steve until he was officially identified by Terri". When obviously this wasn't true from all the news reports, she took the children and flew straight home. Then there was this one "Terri will not be taking the children to the US, that is their home......." How do you know this?? She may just do that you never know, ture Australia has been her home and that is all the kids know but how can you say it like it is a fact?

Just had to ask!

Debbie

 

[MiaSRN62]

I was just wondering why you would assume that or anyone else would?

I think it's rather fair to assume this because of the natural progression of the mourning process. I'd assume Terry may still be in the denial or anger phase. Steve's death was so sudden and unexpected.
http://www.hospicenet.org/html/knowledge.html
http://www.archrespite.org/archfs21.htm

I think Nutsy is most likely hearing alot more first-hand accounts of what the family is going through vs what we're hearing in the states here. Steve was a national icon in Australia.

I've lost two sons so obviously I've been there, when I was by myself that is when I would really let go and when around others I held up very well,

Very sorry to hear of your loss and pain Mom2angels. That is so sad. But I think it might be a little different for Terry being in the public spotlight. It's got to be hard managing your own emotions and those of the world who are openly grieving as well. She must feel the weight of the world on her shoulders. The zoo (as well as all his conservation/wilflife work), that is in the public foreground, was run by Steve. All that has to change now. Now that Steve's funeral and memorium are over, hoping Terry will have some more time out of the spotlight to truly go through the steps of the grieving process. I think Nutsy has been kindly reporting what they have been hearing first-hand in Australia. I appreciate the reports.

 

[poohandwendy]

I was just wondering why you would assume that or anyone else would? Even if thats what you heard?? I'm sure she has been alone and just because others here have said things didn't hit them till days or weeks later, everyone is differnet so you just don't know. I've lost two sons so obviously I've been there, when I was by myself that is when I would really let go and when around others I held up very well, so you just never know.

And I didn't jump down your throat, why are you so sensitive?? Since your being so sensitive everytime someone questions you, I actually wanted to ask you this before, but hesitated. You talk as if you know the family personnely, like when I mentioned earlier about why would they let out the news of his death if it was not confirmed?? And you stated "The police would not confirm it was actually Steve until he was officially identified by Terri". When obviously this wasn't true from all the news reports, she took the children and flew straight home. Then there was this one "Terri will not be taking the children to the US, that is their home......." How do you know this?? She may just do that you never know, ture Australia has been her home and that is all the kids know but how can you say it like it is a fact?

Just had to ask!

Debbie

Oh for Petes sake...why are you arguing every point made? This isn't a debate, it's a thread about Steve Irwin dying. Sheesh, Nutsy was giving her opinion and relaying things she has heard, nothing more. I was able to see that without any problem. Do we all need a disclaimer at the bottom of our posts stating that we are only expressing our opinions based on what we have heard?

 

[dmslush]

Oh for Petes sake...why are you arguing every point made? This isn't a debate, it's a thread about Steve Irwin dying. Sheesh, Nutsy was giving her opinion and relaying things she has heard, nothing more. I was able to see that without any problem. Do we all need a disclaimer at the bottom of our posts stating that we are only expressing our opinions based on what we have heard?

Amen and thank you!


Nutsy & others, thanks for continuing find the articles and interview for us that don't have the time and just pop in here to catch up quickly.

 

[Nutsy]

Ok, why I said they wouldn't officially confirm it was Steve until Terri has identified him? That is the norm.. but I guess in this case and that of Peter Brock (racing legend) who was killed that same week things are different. I was also going on what we were hearing on the tv and radio here. Ok, so I got it wrong.. we all make mistakes, but like I say, I was going on what normally happens, but it would appear that when you are a public figure that is not the case.

As for taking the kids to live in America.. I have my doubts.. Australia is their home (Terri and the kids).. yes I know she was American.. but in all honesty, can you see her upping the stakes and turning her back on all they have achieved up at the Zoo? All the conservation work and the animal hospital they built up there which has an extension planned for sometime very soon.. That is where all the money goes.. into saving the animals and buying more land around the world for conservation. I really in all honestly cannot imagine that now that Steve has gone that Terri would turn her back on all that and ship out to the states.