http://cbs13.com/watercooler/waterco...262131759.html

Sep 19, 2006 10:16 am US/Pacific

Thousands Expected At Irwin's Service

(AP) More than 5,000 people, including the prime minister, are expected to cram the "Crocoseum" at the Australia Zoo on Wednesday to say farewell to "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin at a memorial service.

Flags on the Sydney Harbor Bridge were to fly at half-staff, and giant television screens were set up in Irwin's home state of Queensland for people to watch the service.

Irwin, 44, was killed Sept. 4 when the barb from a stingray pierced his chest while he was filming a TV show about the Great Barrier Reef. His family held a private funeral service Sept. 9.

His death set off an outpouring of grief. Tens of thousands of people traveled to the zoo near Brisbane to drop off flowers and other mementoes, many of them signing Irwin-styled khaki shirts instead of a condolence book.

There has been a surge of donations to the Irwin-instituted charity Wildlife Warriors, and millions of people have visited his Web site to find out more about Irwin and his conservation efforts.

Irwin's widow, American-born Terri Irwin, was expected to make her first public appearance since his death at Wednesday's memorial service. The couple's daughter, Bindi, 8, and son Bob, 2, were expected to accompany their mother.

Prime Minister John Howard also was expected to attend the service, and country singer John Williamson planned to sing "True Blue," a song that Irwin loved.

John Stainton, Irwin's manager and close friend, said the service would be a celebration of the naturalist's life.

"There will be one seat alongside of the family for Steve because he loved the Crocoseum, he built it," Stainton said. "And his Australia Zoo cap that he always wore watching all the shows with his daughter will be on the seat."

Stainton said there would be visual tributes to Irwin, with some "memorable film clips" and "funny moments" from his television career. Actor Russell Crowe reportly be among those paying tribute by video.

"The one thing I hope everyone will take away from it is what a diverse character he was," Stainton said.

Three of Australia's main television networks planned to carry the ceremony live and provide feeds to U.S. and international networks.

I wish I could have gotten the boys MAW there. I had hoped to get them on MAW and gone there to the Australia Zoo and met Steve and Terri and the staff. The boys LOVE watching the Croc Hunter. I know they would still love to go there and meet Terri and see the crocs and all. Tho wouldnt be all the same without Steve. Still praying for Terri, Bindi, Lil Bob and all.
GM

http://cbs13.com/national/topstories...262201112.html - Some pics of Terri and the kids and a pic of Bindi reading a tribute to her daddy.

Crocodile Hunter Remembered For 'Zest For Life'

(CBS News) BEERWAH, Australia "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin was remembered Wednesday for his "great zest for life" at a public memorial service for the beloved conservationist and entertainer.

"We have lost a friend, a champion," actor Russell Crowe said in a recorded tribute. "It will take some time to adjust to that."

Prime Minister John Howard, among the 5,000 in attendance at the Australia Zoo for the ceremony, remembered Irwin for his love of Australia.

"Steve Irwin touched the hearts of Australians and touched the hearts of millions around the world in a very special way," said Howard. "He did that because he had that quality of being genuine, of being authentic, of being unconditional and having a great zest for life.

"Throughout his all-too-short life he demonstrated a love for the two things that ought to matter more to all of us than anything else — his love of his family and his love of his country."

There was one empty seat at Irwin's personal stadium — the one set aside for the late and hugely popular "Crocodile Hunter" himself. On the stage sat Irwin's widow, American-born Terri, and their two children, Bindi 8, and Bob, 2 — all dressed in Irwin's favored khaki outfit. It was their first public appearance since Irwin's death.

A exuberant television entertainer and conservationist, Irwin, 44, died Sept. 4 when the barb from a stingray pierced his chest while he was filming for a TV show on the Great Barrier Reef. His family held a private funeral service for him on Sept. 9 at Australia Zoo.

Flags on the Sydney Harbor Bridge flew Wednesday at half-staff, and giant television screens were set up in Irwin's home state of Queensland for people to watch the service. Three of Australia's main television networks carried the hour-long ceremony, which was to be made available to U.S. and international networks and which family officials said could be watched by as many as 300 million people.

Crowds began lining up Tuesday night for the start of the memorial service. Later, under sunny skies just before the start of the ceremony, dozens of television satellite transmission trucks parked outside the zoo, a flora and fauna park that has been owned by the Irwin family since 1970.

His death set off an unprecedented outpouring of grief. Tens of thousands traveled to the zoo near Brisbane to drop off flowers and other mementoes, many of them signing Irwin-styled khaki shirts instead of a condolence book.

Since Irwin's death, his conservation charity Wildlife Warriors has seen a surge in donations and its Web site has received millions of hits.

John Williamson, one of Irwin's favorite Australian country singers, sang his trademarked "True Blue" song that Irwin loved.

Later, as part of the public memorial entitled "He Changed our World," actress Cameron Diaz said in a video presentation that Irwin was incredibly popular in the United States.

"America just flipped for him," said Diaz. "Every kid was in love with the idea of being him."

"I'll never forget what I learned just by being around Steve," Justin Timberlake said in the video presentation. "Not even what he taught me, just what I learned by being around him with animals. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you and he will definitely be missed."

Actor Kevin Costner said Irwin put himself "out there" for everyone to see.

"He was fearless," said Costner in the video tribute.

"He let us see who he was. That is being brave in today's society."

Fellow Aussie, Hugh Jackman, spoke of the croc hunter's legacy. "I spoke with my son a few days ago and he said, 'Daddy I think we should all be warriors like Steve.' And I just said to him you're absolutely right," Jackman said. "So, whether it's for the wilderness, whether it's for the animals, for his family, whether it's for just the planet or just life in itself, Steve showed us that we can live like warriors and we can make the world a better place."