Posted on 09/20/2006 3:44:36 AM PDT by Aussie Dasher
PRIME Minister John Howard was among a string of political leaders, singers, actors, entertainers, academics and friends who have delivered tributes at the memorial service for Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin today.
More than 5000 people crowded into the zoo’s Crocoseum on the Sunshine Coast, and another 300 million fans worldwide watched the service.
"My fellow Australians, we gather in this special place that Steve created to celebrate the life of a remarkable man and remarkable Australian," Mr Howard said.
"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."
Mr Howard said he brought to Australians and to the world an understanding of nature.
"He taught our children in particular to love and respect all creatures great and small," he said.
"In everything he did he was direct, he was genuine and oh so Australian and that is what we loved about him."
Actor Russell Crowe in a taped tribute from New York, described Mr Irwin as a mate.
"Your passing has suspended reality for all of us," he said.
"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.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.com.au ...
May he Rest In Peace.
Bumpitttt.
Cameron Diaz? Who cares what she thinks!? Her comments rang as hollow as her skull.
And don't even get me started on Larry King. What a self-absorbed tool.
I found the presence of Hollywood assclowns on the show to be demeaning to Steve's memory; they cheapened the event. The exact opposite of Prime Minister Howards' speech, I might add.
Cameron Diaz? Justin Timberlake? Steve Harvey? I did not understand these at all. Really stupid.
Larry King made some sense but not much. Steve was on his show many times. I'm not a Regis and Kelly fan, but I read that Kelly was really affected by Steve's death and he had cohosted with her 4 or 5 times and that her children adored him. She seemed sincere.
Russell Crowe is a friend of Steve's and Hugh Jackman I think is another fellow Aussie I think.
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