Farewell Steve

No doubt most of you, as with many around the world, would have watched the Memorial Service for Steve Irwin on Wednesday. As mentioned in my last post, I was fortunate enough to get tickets to be there in person. My sister, Cecilia, and I went together. There were all sorts of reports in the lead up to the event that traffic would be a nightmare, so many people all trying to get in at once, but I didn't have any problems and at the zoo itself the staff had everything working like clockwork, busses were shuffling people from remote parking, police kept the traffic flowing and the pedestrians were also cycled through. It actually worked to precision. Once Cec and I met up and entered the zoo we then waited in line for entry into the crocoseum.

We were probably amongst the middle of the 3000 people who had the general admission tickets. Once we were inside the crocoseum we took our seats about half way up
the grandsand and right in the middle - perfect! The dignitaries and VIP guests were over to our right and the main stage to our left.

The audience began clapping and cheeing all Australia Zoo staff as they came out in their Kakhi uniforms and took their seats, then the Prime Minister and other Government reps came out to big cheers as well but when Bindi came out to take her seat, followed by Terri and Bob, the crowd went wild and the tears were flowing. 5000 people on their feet clapping the Irwin family - a very moving experience.

Not long after that, the PM opened proceedings and from that point it was also live to air. Being part of the crowd was humbling. I felt it was one of the moments when I was most proud of being Australian. The Australian way of life, our wildlife and our people were being celebrated. Emotions were running high. Joining John Williamson singing 'Home amongst the gum trees' was invigorating and soul wrenching at the same time. Seeing flashes of Steve on the screen and the catch phrase 'He changed our World' in between clips was very apt.

Everything had been thought through, everything ran to schedlue and everyone was in awe of what we were a part of. I couldn't help glancing over at Terri at numerous times throughout the service, just to see the pain on her face, but also the pride she has for Steve too was evident. Everything was done in such good taste, and the finale of having his Ute packed up with all his favourite stuff and driven out through the 'crocmen' guard of honour was amazing. The heartstings were most certainly tugged. I'm so glad I was there, witnessing and experiencing and sharing in the life of a man who touched so many and acomplished so much in his life. Farewell Steve - a true Aussie Legend.

THE CROCODILES ARE CRYING

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

It’s one thing to be honoured as a champion unique

It’s one thing to have microphones and spotlight cameras shoved

It’s another to be taken in and genuinely loved

But that was where he had it right – I guess he always knew

From his fathers’ 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 it’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 conservation

…My daughter broke the news to me – my six year old in tears

It was like she’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 we’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 we’ll miss ya Steve…goodbye

RUPERT McCALL 2006