Heart-rending farewell to Irwin

Terri Irwin, wife of Australian conservationist and television personality Steve Irwin, with daughter Bindi and son Bob at today's memorial service at Australia Zoo. Picture / Reuters

Of all the tributes being delivered at the memorial service to crocodile hunter Steve Irwin today, it was perhaps the one read out by Steve's daughter Bindi which proved the most touching to the huge crowd at Australia Zoo.

Bindi spoke of how he was her hero and she hopes his work will continue.

Bindi, 8, read a tribute to her father, saying he had wanted to change the world so that "everyone loved wildlife as much as he did".

In a strong, clear voice, she told the crowd that he had adored his family and had taken them everywhere on his adventures and they would miss him every day.

"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 know that Daddy had an important job. He was working to change the world so everyone would love wildlife like he did.

"He built a hospital to help animals and he bought lots of land to give animals a safe place to live.

"He took me and my brother and my mum with him all the time. We filmed together, caught crocodiles together and loved being in the bush together.

"I don't want Daddy's passion to ever end.

"I want to help endangered wildlife just like he did.

"I have the best Daddy in the whole world and I will miss him every day.

"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."

After she finished, a minute-long standing ovation resounded around the precincts of Australia Zoo.

Thousands of people have gathered at the Zoo to farewell Steve Irwin, 44, who was killed in a freak accident when he was speared in the chest by a stingray while filming a documentary off north Queensland.

They heard Kiwi-born Australian actor Russell Crowe, star of The Gladiator and A Beautiful Mind, deliver from New York a video-taped tribute to his "mate".

Crowe spoke of how Steve Irwin's death has affected millions around the world.

'Your passing has suspended reality for all of us," Crowe told the crowds.

"It was way too soon and completely unfair on all accounts.

"I know as humble as you always were you would still be pleased to know that the world sends its love and people all over this planet have been grieving.

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

As many as 300 million people are thought to be tuned in to televisions worldwide for the service in the Australia Zoo Crocoseum on the Sunshine Coast.

The estimated 5000 people there gave a standing ovation to Irwin's wife Terri and and his children Bindi and Bob and other family members.

The service will be viewed by an estimated 300 million fans worldwide.

In another taped tribute CNN host Larry King spoke of how he had been elevated in the eyes of his two young sons by interviewing Irwin.

He said he had interviewed presidents, monarchs, rock stars and sportsmen and women.

"But he made me a hero in the eyes of his sons."

They had watched every interview they could of the crocodile hunter, whose television shows made him a hero in north America, Europe and Australasia.

In a brief address, Australian Prime Minister John Howard said Irwin had touched many Australians because of his genuineness and zest for life.

"My fellow Australians, we gather in this special place that Steve created to celebrate the life of a remarkable man and remarkable Australian.

"Steve Irwin touched the hearts of Australians and touched the hearts of millions around the world in a very special way.

"He did that because he had that quality of being genuine, of 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 of us than anything else -- his love of his family and his love of his country.

"In everything he did he was direct, he was genuine and oh so Australian and that is what we loved about him."

Irwin's producer and friend John Stainton said Irwin had changed his life forever.

"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."

Irwin had been fearless behind the camera and a professional in front of it.

"You could always rely on Steve to get the best shot and the dangerous ones at that."

"But in front of the camera Steve was the ultimate professional."

Academy-award winning American actor Kevin Costner said in a taped tribute to the crowd gathered at Beerwah, Queensland, many of them wearing khaki outfits in tribute to the conservationist, that Irwin had been fearless - and not just in front of wild animals.

"He was fearless because he let us see who he was. That's brave in our society," said Costner, the Hollwyood star of Dances with Wolves, The Bodyguard and Field of Dreams.

He said being so open risked people mocking you.

"But Steve was not afraid of that."

- NZHERALD STAFF