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Share your memories of Steve

August 31 | You!

Check out our new multimedia tribute video online here.

Most of us felt shock and disbelief when we heard the news a year ago that one of the Sunshine Coast’s favourite sons, Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, had been killed by a stingray.

This was a man who wrestled crocodiles and deadly snakes, and who we thought was invincible. A larger-than-life larrikin known throughout the world for his fearlessness and his dedication to the protection of wildlife.

After the initial shock came the tears, with hundreds making the pilgrimage to the Irwins’ Australia Zoo at Beerwah to leave tributes, and many camping out overnight in a bid to secure tickets to the televised memorial at the zoo’s Crocoseum.

There was barely a dry eye in the country when John Williamson sang True Blue at the moving memorial and Steve’s daughter Bindi spoke of her love for her dad.

Despite their immense loss and grief, the Irwin family, friends and the staff at Australia Zoo have made it their mission to continue Steve’s work.

The Sunshine Coast has also strived to ensure the Crocodile Hunter is never forgotten, renaming the Glasshouse Mountains Road as Steve Irwin Way and planning a life-size replica statue for Mooloolaba.

To mark the anniversary of Steve’s death on Tuesday, the Sunshine Coast Daily is publishing a high quality tribute magazine called Memories of Steve, with dozens of photographs. It will be released, at no cost, as part of the paper.

We also want to hear your memories of the Crocodile Hunter. How did Steve's death affect you and your family? What has been his legacy? Will be doing anything special to mark the anniversary of his passing?

Recent Comments

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Posted by swainy67 from Kensington

on 31 August, 2007 at 9:35 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Well what can be said of Steve that hasn't already been said. He was one of those once in a lifetime blokes and he just happened to be from our coast. I had the pleasure of painting his portrait and presenting it at the crocoseum and you could feel Steve's presence there as strong as ever. Steve was Australia. My best wishes go out to Terri and the kids and I hope that they can keep running the footy up like Steve said

Posted by Brazos_Dove from Fort Worth Texas

on 1 September, 2007 at 6:24 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

As one who has actively campaigned since a teen for the preservation of Wildlife and Conservation, the first time I saw Steve Irwin in Crocodile Hunter on Animal Planet in the 1990s, I was hooked! Here was a man who could draw his audience deep in to his world, teach us about Wildlife from all over the world and the need to protect and save them. Steve Irwin was a big influence in my life as I became more determined than ever to campaign local, sate and federal governments to change laws and practices that concerned Wildlife, Conservation and the Environment because of him. He was admired by many and indeed Changed the World and how we look at it!! He will forever be missed!!!

Posted by twalk from Gainesville, Texas

on 1 September, 2007 at 6:29 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

What can I say? My husband called me from work that night as here in Texas it was early morning when we heard the news. He was in tears; I got up and turned on the tele and I sat up most of the night crying. We gathered ourselves before our then 8 yr old daughter awoke as we were going to have to break this awful news to her about Steve. She adored; no she adores Steve. When we told her, she cried and cried and then asked her own dad if he minded if she shared her daddy with Bindi and Robert because they still needed a daddy and he was just like Steve. That started the flowing tears once again. Then it was time to talk to my then 4 year old son and tell him that "the croc man" as he called him had died. He did not really understand except that he knew he would not be making anymore movies...his fave movie at the time was Collision Course.

We, as well as many others across the world, have struggled to try to come to terms with Steve's passing. In his death, I have found new mates that reside in my own home state of Texas as well as throughout the United States; mates that reside in Australia; mates that reside from the Netherlands to Isreal. Through these new found mates, I have discovered that we best mates can be hundreds or even thousands of miles apart but still work together for the greater good. These mates and I made a memory quilt that we sent to Terri and the children and that is just one of many things that we have done together as a family.

My family and I will spend our Labor Day weekend outdoors at the Frank Buck Zoo in Gainesville; we will spend it watching the birds and other animals that frequent our home and we will have our special private moments together on the 4th in memory of Steve to honor him. We learned so much from Steve. My daugher is now 9 and my son is now 5. And my son, who is TERRIFIED of bugs, will now ask to put the bugs outside away from the house instead of begging me to kill them. Thanks so much for the opprotunity to share with you. What an amazing man, teacher, leader we lost with Steve.

Posted by binkys48

on 1 September, 2007 at 9:17 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

I have been a fan of Steve's and the Zoo for a long time. I hope to someday make that journey. My prayers are with the Irwin family and the Zoo Crew, and my heartfelt thanks for continuing the work.

Steve will always be missed, but never forgotten. I noticed the artist (swainy67) had posted here. I am very familiar with the portrait as I own a Limited Edition Print.

It is a beautiful tribute to a great man, and a portion of the sale of each is donated to the Wildlife Warriors, which makes it even more special.

Thank you for what you are doing. If you haven't seen it, take the time. It is featured on the Zoo Tribute page and the Wildlife Warriors Fund raising page. It is up to each of us to do every, and anything we can, to support the continuence of Steve's mission.

Posted by Shaniagal_1999 from Traralgon, Gippsland

on 1 September, 2007 at 10:32 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

I used to watch Steve Irwin on Telly many years ago. He was full of life as you could tell on his TV Show and shows that he was. I was watching one of my shows and the next thing the news came on saying about Steve Irwin had died.

I didn't believe so at first or well couldn't make out what the news reader had said, so I let it go then the news break came back on saying the same thing I was then like what Steve Irwin dead? No way. I didn't believe it for a minute that he was gone. I was shocked and sadden of the news about his passing he'll be greatly missed.

Steve taught people of all ages about animals, he was a true Wildlife Warrior, I must say Steve's death affected me alot more than any other celeb that has passed on. We sure will miss you Steve.

Posted by cracker from Northamptonshire

on 1 September, 2007 at 10:41 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

When I learnt of Steve's death I, like millions of people, was devastated, how could this happen?... It was too soon.. Coming from England we are not fortunate to have the coverage of Steve's life and TV shows like Australia and the USA have.. If it wasn't for Animal Planet we would never see anything.... I notice a couple of other posts here mentioning a Tribute print.. I also own one and now have a constant reminder of Steve, it is something I will forever treasure..Check this out...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmNZWWirk...

My love and best wishes go to Terri, Bindi and Bob and the rest of the Irwin family and my promise to do all I can to support them in the future....I love and miss you Steve...

Northamptonshire, England

Posted by nwrig42 from coolum

on 28 November, 2007 at 9:25 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

i remember when i was younger my mother, brother and i would all sit down for dinner and watch the crocodile hunter. steve was a true blue who cared about the animals/environment and actually did something about it. we all really miss him. i think he would be really proud.