Steve Irwin and Kylie Minogue personalities of the year
Email Print Normal font Large font Matthew Ricketson
January 1, 2007


Steve Irwin
Photo: Reuters

Advertisement
AdvertisementTHE crocodile hunter, Steve Irwin, has been posthumously named Australia's man of the year by readers of The Age online.

Singer Kylie Minogue, who returned to performing in 2006 after being treated for breast cancer, was named Australia's woman of the year, with 21 per cent of the votes.

Minogue was scheduled to perform her Showgirl Homecoming show at Wembley Arena in London on New Year's Eve.

Irwin, the wildlife warrior who was killed by a stingray while filming in Queensland last September, garnered more votes — 2343 (28 per cent) — than any other candidate for the online poll, male or female.

Irwin, equal parts conservationist, entertainer and confessed dag, was extraordinarily popular both overseas and in Australia, as the public outpouring of emotion after his death confirmed.

On September 5 items about Irwin filled all 10 spots on the lists of most-viewed stories for both theage.com.au and its sister site, smh.com.au