Steve Irwin

The death of Steve Irwin has created a lot of controversy, with some people coming out and saying that he was an embarrassment to Australia or that he interfered with wildlife and so deserved what he got. These statements made me angry and then it made me thoughtful.
Why was I reacting so strongly to criticism of a man I didn't know and was previously pretty indifferent to.
So I started to think about why I was so touched and upset by his death and it came to me, he was a nice guy who was a wonderful father and husband (you can't fake his obvious joy and love for his family) and it was sad to see a nice guy die.
To people who say he was an embarrassment I have this to say, I am an Australian and I say crikey all the time, maybe not with the same enthusiasm but I say it.. this inferiority complex Australians have over the way we are seen by the rest of the world is ridiculous! Why can't we be known as a sophisticated people and still be a bit of a larrikan, isn't that what makes us a unique country? The fact that we are smart, cultured and very aware of what is happening in the world and yet we can be a bit over the top and have a good laugh at ourselves! This is what has been missing in Australian culture, we are so busy trying to be "cool" we have lost ourselves and find ourselves ashamed of somebody who was completely comfortable being who he was, to the point where we degrade a man who has died tragically and prematurely and can no longer defend himself. I would rather be an embarrassment than to do that to somebody!
For those who criticise Steve Irwin for encroaching upon Animals and treating them with disrespect, I say get over it! What a ludicrous suggestion, I am often amazed at how people treat animals in the wild with such reverence and yet are quite happy to own a pet dog, Animals by nature are adaptable, if they weren't they would soon become extinct, why do we cling to the belief that wild animals cannot be happy unless they are left alone by humans, how do we know this for sure? I also find it highly amusing that the majority of those who criticise Steve for his work with animals are probably not Vegans and are happy to eat a hamburger and who have probably done nothing personally to solve the problem of wild life conservation.
I don't know enough about whether or not what Steve did was good for wildlife or not, I do know that Steve's shows gave me an appreciation and respect for these dangerous animals that i did not have before. I also believe that what he did was not done for malicious reasons, and I am a great believer in judging people on their intentions and not necessarily the consequences of their actions.
Lastly I am proud of Steve Irwin and who he represented and I only hope that I can be as passionate about life as he was.

This poem by Rupert McCall summed it up for me:

Endless visions fill my head – this man – as large as life
And instantly my heart mourns for his angels and his wife
Because the way I see Steve Irwin – just put everything aside
It comes back to his family – it comes back to his pride
His animals inclusive – Crikey – light the place with love!
Shine his star with everything he fought to rise above
The crazy-man of Khaki from the day he left the pouch
Living out his dream and in that classic ‘Stevo’ crouch
Exploding forth with character and redefining cheek
ItÂ’s one thing to be honoured as a champion unique
ItÂ’s one thing to have microphones and spotlight cameras shoved
ItÂ’s another to be taken in and genuinely loved
But that was where he had it right – I guess he always knew
From his fathersÂ’ modest reptile park and then Australia Zoo
We cringed at times and shook our heads – but true to natures call
There was something very Irwin in the make up of us all
Yes the more I care to think of it – the more he had it right
If you’re going to make a difference – make it big and make it bright!
Yes - he was a lunatic! Yes - he went head first!
But he made the world feel happy with his energetic burst
A world so large and loyal that itÂ’s hard to comprehend
I doubt we truly count the warmth until life meets an end
To count it now I say a prayer with words of inspiration
May the spotlight shine forever on his dream for conservationÂ…

My daughter broke the news to me – my six year old in tears
It was like sheÂ’d just turned old enough to show her honest fears
I tried to make some sense of it but whilst her Dad was trying
His little girl explained it best…she said “The crocodiles are crying”
Their best mate’s up in heaven now – the crocs up there are smiling!
And as sure as flowers, poems and cards and memories are piling
As sure as weÂ’ll continue with the trademarks of his spiel
Of all the tributes worthy – he was rough…but he was real

As sure as ‘Crikey!’ fills the sky
I think weÂ’ll miss ya SteveÂ…goodbye
RUPERT McCALL 2006