Irwin anniversary


Late Sunshine Coast conservation legend Steve Irwin... honoured for his work in saving wildlife with the naming of a baby gorilla after him on July 1, 2007.
Photo Gallery: Steve Irwin - the original Wildlife Warrior

In so many ways, Steve Irwin was larger than life. But it was his passion for wildlife and his love for his family that will ensure he is not forgotten.

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Two years since the death of Croc Hunter Steve Irwin, his wife, Terri, and children Bindi and Bob, are continuing to spread the message of conservation.

The modest reptile park in Beerwah is now a multi-million dollar tourist attraction, which will soon feature a 350-room hotel.

And the family has also branched out into whale watching, retail and fashion to expand its empire.

While today’s anniversary will be marked in private by the family, Terri said Steve Irwin Day on November 15 would be an opportunity for the public to celebrate the Croc Hunter’s life.

“Steve left behind an extraordinary legacy, which we will make sure lives on forever.

“Together, we can stand shoulder to shoulder to honour this remarkable man.

“It is only with your help that we can achieve the vision of one man who truly made a difference,” Terri said.

Documentary producer and close friend of the Irwins, John Stainton, was also on the Coast yesterday, reminiscing about the stories of survival he shared with Steve Irwin during their 15 years creating wildlife documentaries.

Mr Stainton was on Noosa Main Beach filming the re-enactment of a fatal shark attack at Perth’s Cottesloe Beach in November 2000.

“We talked about a lot of attacks,” he said.

“Names in my memory that were (part) of history, stories I revered with Steve.”

The scenes are for a 15-part series to air on the Discovery Channel in the United States early next year, with old news footage, survivor interviews and re-enactments to tell the stories “from every angle”.

On each location Mr Stainton’s film company enlisted the help of locals in search for a face similar to the people involved rather than professional actors.

About six life savers from Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club including 20-year-old Brendan Cowie, who earned a reprieve from routine patrols to swim along Main Beach as a extra in the scene.

Local acting talent has also been called on, including Noosa’s Joe Jurisevic, who plays the role of attack victim Ken Crew.

As a man who had experienced first hand the grief of losing a friend to the fatal blow from a stingray barb, Mr Stanton said it helped him to relate to survivors as they relived their own trauma.

“I find it very emotional talking to people, sitting one on one with people who’ve lost loved ones,” he said.

“I can sympathise, I know what they’re going through.

“By telling their stories it’s immortalising them, committing them to our film history.”

But he said the accident that took his close friend and colleague would never be revisited via the small screen.

“Never, too close to home,” Mr Stainton said.

But the series will tell the story of Rodney Fox, a man who went on to pioneer shark research, filming and diving after he was attacked by a Great White in 1963.

He was a man Steve Irwin held in high regard.

“It was on our agenda to do four or five days after Steve died,” Mr Stainton said.

“I completed it without him.

“It was one of the saddest things in my life to do that without him.

“We thought Rod Fox was a hero.

“I felt so sad he didn’t make that dive with him (Fox).”

Mr Stainton said he was in regular contact with the Irwin family since Steve’s death, and thought Australia Zoo was “moving along” adequately, though he said he had no plans to visit the family or the Steve’s grave.

“I’ll be here,” he said yesterday, with a shrug of his shoulders and his palms turned upward.

The Irwin family is encouraging people to show their support on Steve Irwin Day in November by donning khaki-coloured clothing, visiting Australia Zoo and joining in the celebrations, or by hosting a Backyard Campout and raising funds for the Wildlife Warriors.