I really wasn't sure whether or not this is the right place to put this, but I am hoping that everyone interested in the Irwin family, and conservation of course, will check here when they see that there is a new posting! So here it is!

Save Steve's Place
The Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve (SIWR) is a wetland conservation property and a tribute to Steve Irwin. It is currently being threatened by strip mining. Cape Alumina Pty Ltd has lodged mining lease applications which include approximately 12,300 ha of the Reserve! Cape Alumina company documents indicate an intention to mine 50 plus million tons over a 10 year period commencing 2010. The greater part of this mine is on the Reserve. Please sign this petition to stop the strip mining threat!

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Bindi and Terri Irwin at the launch of the family's whale-watching business, Whale One.

Australia Zoo’s Terri Irwin will embark on a whale research project in 2008, in an attempt to stop Japanese whaling.

The wife of the late Croc Hunter said the project was an extension of the family’s whale watching business and would carry on Steve’s legacy.

“Steve always had a sense of wanting to do something for whales, as a surfer and having filmed in the ocean,” she said.

“He saw whales as such big and intelligent mammals and such an integral part of the ocean ... and that was why, after we lost Steve, we wanted to set up the whale watching business to get whales into people’s hearts more.”

Terri said the idea to conduct whale research in the southern ocean came about after Oregon State University Professor Bruce Mate got in touch with her following a research trip to Antarctica.

She said Prof Mate had tagged a humpback whale, which he named Steve, and tracked its movements.

“It took off faster and went further than any other whale they tagged, which is just like Steve, and later we got a certificate showing the passage it had taken through the ocean and details of where it was tagged, the date and time, and it was ironic because it was tagged on February 22 – Steve’s birthday,” Terri said.

“I’m not a person who believes in coincidence, so I knew this was something we should look into further.”

She said by tagging and tracking whales, researchers could produce a viable count of whale numbers, which could eventually offset whale hunting.

“We need bona fide research to find out where these whales are going, where they’re feeding and breeding and so on,” she said.

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WITHIN a week, anti-whaling boat the Steve Irwin hopes to be harassing the Japanese whaling fleet in the Southern Ocean.

But yesterday it made an unscheduled appearance at Victoria Harbour at Docklands to replace pistons and take on fuel.

Since leaving Melbourne on December 5, the Steve Irwin and its 41-strong crew from the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society have fruitlessly searched the Southern Ocean for the whalers.

Captain Paul Watson is confident he will find the Japanese this time around, with the boat likely to leave Melbourne today, leaving behind a couple of crew who suffered from seasickness.

He said that this year the Japanese had started whaling in a different area, 3000 kilometres from where the Steve Irwin had been searching. "We didn't find that out until recently."

But now that the general location of the Japanese is known, he hopes to disrupt the planned slaughter of about 1000 whales. "If we catch them they'll run from us," Captain Watson said. "We'll just keep them on the run."

Sea Shepherd's vigorous tactics have attracted criticism. Among the measures it has used are ramming whaling ships and throwing smoke bombs and a relatively harmless form of acid on the decks of the ships.

"We don't do anything lethal," Captain Watson said. "I find it completely absurd that these people are filling the ocean with blood down there and are calling us violent eco-terrorists."

Until this month the Steve Irwin was known as the Robert Nelson, but with the support of Terri Irwin, widow of environmentalist Steve Irwin, the boat was renamed.

Captain Watson is critical of the Rudd Government, which has won praise for its diplomatic efforts to stop whaling and for sending an observation vessel to the Southern Ocean.

"Greenpeace have been taking pictures for years - what's another boat taking pictures going to do?" he said. "It's more talk, talk, talk."

* Animal Liberation Victoria staged an anti-whaling protest at the Japanese consulate in Melbourne yesterday.

Up to 10 activists entered the reception area, pouring fake blood over themselves.

A consulate spokesman described the protest as "regrettable". Police are not investigating the incident.

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STEVE Irwin's family is planning a campaign against Japanese whaling to show that scientific data can be obtained without killing them.

Terri Irwin said the project would be launched in 2008 through a whale watching business she bought after her husband's death last year.

"We can actually learn everything the Japanese are learning with lethal research by using non-lethal research,"' she told Channel 9.

"That's what I'm embarking on in 2008. We are determined to show the Japanese they can stop all whaling, not just humpbacks."

The research was to be carried out in the southern hemisphere in cooperation with Oregon State University, she said.

Japan has been under fire for defying international protests and sending its whaling fleet into Antarctic waters to hunt around 1000 whales, ostensibly for scientific purposes, exploiting a loophole in a 1986 moratorium on whaling.

However, the Japanese bowed slightly to pressure last week by abandoning plans to kill around 50 humpbacks, which form the backbone of Australia's and New Zealand's lucrative whale watching industry.

Terri's daughter Bindi Irwin also plans to record a new anti-whaling song, Save Me, and publicise it in Asia in a bid to raise awareness of the issue there.

"Whales are such an integral part to the ocean and hunting is such a cruel and awful thing," Terri Irwin said.

"It needs to be something that is in our ancient past, not something that we continue to do."

Steve Irwin, famed for his daring antics with dangerous animals, was killed by a stingray barb to his chest while filming on Australia's Great Barrier Reef in 2006.

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Reptiles were out in force in Mooloolaba yesterday.

But they all had minders, clustered around Australia Zoo's shop on the Esplanade, as Terri Irwin singed copies of her book My Steve for a throng of buyers and well-wishers.

The book has taken the world by storm, but Terri has not forgotten her local supporters - in fact she's happy to be home after a whirlwind international tour promoting the book.

"I'm so pleased to be closer to home," she said yesterday, giving her signature hand a short rest.

"I'm 'doing' Carindale (in Brisbane) this afternoon, so it made for an opportunity to visit Mooloolaba."

It has been a long stint away from home.

"I've been on the road for six months," Terri said.

"But coming home is so special; it's so good to see people on the Coast."

It's a chance to give back some of the support the community has given her over the dark times after losing Steve.

"It's good to be out back meeting people and getting feedback, trying to get to people en masse."

"People have been so supportive of my family."

As for the book, it’s a huge hit overseas, but Australian figures have not yet been released.

"The book made number 12 on the New York best sellers list, and number eight in the UK," Terri said.

"We are waiting on the figure here in Australia."

"All proceeds go back into conservation."

And in a short time, Terri and her family will be able to relax a little for Christmas, being spent at home this year.

"I have a whole month off in Australia," she said.

"We will have Christmas with Steve's sister."

"Last year, we had Christmas in Oregon (USA)."

"So there is no snow this year."

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TERRI Irwin has denied being "knowingly involved" in any illegitimate activity after revelations she sought loans from an offshore bank now at the centre of a lawsuit.

Despite initially denying any knowledge of the disputed financial transactions, the Courier-Mail has obtained loan application records signed by Mrs Irwin seeking funds from a Singapore-based firm with ties to accused tax fraudster Nick Petroulias.

Contact numbers for the overseas bank, HQZ Argentum, in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore have since been disconnected.

It emerged on the weekend that the Irwin Family Trust and its Australia Zoo were the subject of a $2.5 million writ, while another $60,000 claim targets Terri Irwin personally.

After the court actions were lodged in a Victorian court, Mrs Irwin's business manager, John Stainton, said he "had no bloody idea" what the lawsuits were about.

In a statement last night, Mrs Irwin said she had instructed solicitors and would "vigorously defend" the matters if they proceed in court.

"Earlier this year issues arose regarding transactions from previous years and legal advice was sought," the statement read.

"Neither Terri Irwin nor any other person connected with Australia Zoo was knowingly involved in any dealings which were not completely legitimate."

Mrs Irwin refused to respond to specific questions about the loans. Documents obtained by the Courier-Mail show Mrs Irwin sought unsecured loans for a similar amount in applications dated June 24 and 26, 2006, three months before Steve Irwin died from a stingray barb.

According to the applications, the money was sought for working capital.

Steve Irwin's signature was not on the documents, but they were witnessed by Frank Muscillo, Steve Irwin's brother-in-law and general manager of Australia Zoo.

The records show on June 26, 2006, Mrs Irwin also signed a contract with HQZ Argentum's administrative agent, Avowal Administrative Attorneys Ltd of Auckland, consenting to a financial restructuring plan.

HQZ and Avowal are firms connected with Petroulias, a former assistant tax commissioner on trial for fraud.

A jury convicted Petroulias this week of one count of agreeing to receive money on an understanding that his role at the Australian Taxation Office would be affected, and on one count of publishing documents without authorisation.

The legal action against Mrs Irwin, her family trust and Australia Zoo was lodged by Alyssa Treasury Services Limited.

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• Terri Irwin, Australia Zoo sued over transactions
• Firm operates from P.O. Box, lawyer won't comment
• ATO investigating 'tax-minimisation' scheme

TERRI Irwin and Australia Zoo are being sued for $2.5 million over two mysterious business transactions.

A year after Crocodile Hunter star Steve Irwin died, his widow faces dual court actions over baffling contracts she says she knows nothing about.

The legal actions involve an intricate web of companies.

An investigation has found the lawsuits revolve around a business based on an island tax haven, another raided by tax inspectors in 2006 and an offshore investment bank.

Terri Irwin claims to have no knowledge of the lawsuits, or the alleged transactions which triggered them.

Her manager John Stainton, who was also Steve Irwin's business partner, said he had "no bloody idea" about the lawsuits. Told of the writs, he said: "S---, what are they? What are they about?"

After making some inquiries, he later said they remained a mystery. "When I mentioned it to Terri, she didn't know what I was talking about," he said.

"I asked the zoo, and they have no knowledge of it."

A firm called Alyssa Treasury Services Limited lodged the first writ on November 22 demanding $2.5 million from the Australia Zoo and the Steve Irwin Family Trust.

Lawyers for the firm, who operate in Melbourne from a post office box, lodged another writ on December 7 seeking $60,000 from Terri Irwin. The writs against Mrs Irwin and the Australia Zoo stem from two contracts allegedly signed on their behalf promising to pay money to other firms.

The documents are dated March 30 and August 15 this year - well after Steve Irwin was fatally speared by a stingray in September 2006.

The four firms mentioned on the court documents are Australasian Custodians Limited, Providential Trustees Limited, Avowal Administrative Attorneys Ltd and HQZ Argentum Ltd.

Australasian Custodians Limited is owned by a group based in Labuan, an island tax haven off the coast of Borneo.

Company searches reveal Providential Trustees Limited was struck off the New Zealand register on October 12, 2007.

Avowal Administrative Attorneys Ltd was at the centre of raids by tax investigators in November 2006.

An unrelated Queensland Supreme Court action in May heard the sole director of Avowal was a secretary, Amanda Chisnall, who could not remember who appointed her.

The fourth company mentioned in the County Court writs is HQZ Argentum.

On its website, it claims to be a Singapore-based investment bank offering "state-of-the-art services and solutions never before offered to small and medium-sized enterprises".

The person who answered the phone at the Melbourne address listed on the writ said the bank had moved on.

"They didn't leave a forwarding address," she said.

The writs against Mrs Irwin and Australia Zoo are among about 50 apparently similar actions launched by Alyssa Treasury Services Limited toward various small businesses and individuals, most based in Queensland.

A lawyer for one of the other defendants said his client's writ stemmed from a tax minimisation scheme turned sour.

He claimed his client had been "dudded".

"I would strongly advise other people issued with these writs to get in touch with the police," he said.

The Tax Office is believed to have been monitoring some of the people involved in the alleged scheme.

Another target of one of the writs admitted he had signed up for a tax minimisation scheme.

"My accountant advised me to go into it," he said. "We researched it a little bit. I wish I'd never heard of them now."

A third man named in one of the lawsuits said: "I'm not aware I owe anyone any money. There's something strange going on."

Lawyer Morris Milder, who lodged the writ against Australia Zoo on behalf of Alyssa Treasury Services, declined to answer questions.

"I have no comment to make about it, either on or off the record," he said. A regular on the annual BRW rich list, Steve Irwin often down-played his wealth.

He once told interviewer Andrew Denton wife Terri was the finance whiz. "My wife is an American, she's a good capitalist, she's very clever with money," he said.

"Me, I don't give a rip."

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Santa braved the heat and a 16 foot croc to attend Robert Irwin's fourth birthday with the man in the red suit coming within inches of our very cranky estuarine croc, Murry!

Santa stepped into the Crocoseum in front of a full house to get up close and very personal with Australia Zoo's famous croc during the Wildlife Warrior show. While Santa looked a little out of place in the Crocoseum at Australia Zoo and far, far away from the North Pole, he managed to keep all toes and fingers attached!

Murry took a few strikes at Santa from the waters edge and used his muscular tail to launch himself out of the water, a few feet into the air while Santa stood on the platform. Wooo-hoo!

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TERRI Irwin is awaiting the day she reads the headline "Steve Irwin stops whaling vessel".
It may happen sooner Rather than later as the Crocodile Hunter's widow unveiled a new moniker yesterday for an anti-whaling ship owned by the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.
The newly Christened Steve Irwin, formerly the Rober Hunter, left Melbourne yesterday bound for Antarctic waters, where its crew will attempt to stop "scientific" whaling. With a crew of 41, including 12 Australians, the ship will spend about two months in the Southern Ocean pursuing Japanese whalers who plan to take 935 minke whales, 50 endangered humpbacks and 50 endangered fin whales.
Ms Irwin called Japan to end its whaling program.
Ship captain paul Watson said he hoped to arive in the Antarctic within six days, hopefully ahead of the Japenese fleet to surprise them.
"We are not going down there to protest whaling, we are going down there to stop an illegal activity," Mr Watson said.
"This is the 21st century. it's time to put whaling in the past, where it belongs."

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Irwin family gathers for statue's unveiling
AS Robert Irwin traced his little fingers over his dad's larger-than life marble hand, he whispered "wow!" over and over again. Robert was the first of many Sunshine Coast children to stare in wonder yesterday at Steve Irwin's statue on the Mooloolaba Esplanade. The $89,000 sculpture is made from a single block of north-Queensland Chillagoe White Marble. It took nine weeks for Adelaide sculptor Silvio Apponyi to painstakingly chip out the piece, which is based upon a photograph chosen by Terri Irwin. The Irwins saw the sculpture for the very first time at a public unveiling yesterday. "I didn't know what colour, what texture or anything - it's amazing." Terri Irwin said. "I wouldn't have picked white marble, and yet it's beautiful, It just seems to shine and has a life of its own.

"Silvio has really captured that feeling of Steve being excited and being with his kids and a croc it's magnificent. "It is so special to have Steve commemorated here of all places, because although he went around the world whenever forgot where his home was." Immortalising Steve Irwin's image in marble was as terrifying as it was humbling for Mr Apponyi. A single slip or misguided wobble would have rendered nine weeks of continuous work insignificant. "I was terrified witless the whole time," he said.
"It felt like ... (Steve) was looking over my shoulder whenever i carried out work, making sure i got it right. I would have loved to have met him." The sculpture, an initiative of mayor Joe Natoli, was paid for by Maroochy council. Mr Natoli said the sculpture's composition was left entirely up to the artist and Terri Irwin.

What's a problem crocodile?
Australia Zoo management is examining the law impact of new laws implemented yesterday by the state government to protect the crocodiles. For the first time, it will be illegal to approach a crocodile within 10 metres without a reasonable excuse. Sustainability minister Andrew McNamara said the new laws also defined what constituted a "problem crocodile". "A crocodile that's over two metres long, if it's not passing through, it's a problem crocodile," he said. "If a crocodile... (is) breaking into nets and cages to get at caged aquaculture, that becomes a problem crocodile."

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To win one, complete the following on a postcard. All entries must have your full name, IC number, address and contact details.  

Complete the following sentences and slogan:  

1) Name one of the songs that Bindi and The Crocmen sing and dance to in Bindi: The Jungle Girl.  

2) Episodes of Bindi: The Jungle Girl premieres every weekday at 6pm on . . . 

3) I can’t wait to watch Bindi: The Jungle Girl because . . . (in 20 words or less). 

Send your entries by Dec 15 to:  

The Star/Animal Planet
“Bindi: the Jungle Girl” Competition
No. 47-10, The Boulevard
Mid Valley City, Lingkaran Syed Putra
59200 Kuala Lumpur

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Most people know Bindi Irwin, 9 (pic), as the dynamic daughter of Terri and the late Croc Hunter, Steve Irwin, who inherited more than her parents’ good looks and charm.  

Bindi was born with their passion for animal conservation and their enthusiasm for wildlife – the wilder, the better, in Bindi’s opinion.  

Beginning Dec 3, the world will know Bindi as Bindi: The Jungle Girl, thanks to her new wildlife series on Animal Planet (Astro channel 556) that airs on weekdays at 6pm and again on Saturday at 4pm. 

From her inviting perch in a two-storey treehouse deep in the jungle, Bindi positively bubbles over with excitement as she introduces viewers to her wonderful world of wildlife.  

From leeches (“I love ‘em!”) to pythons (“gorgeous eyebrows!”), Bindi interacts with cute and not-so-cute animals, including a number of adorable creatures who call her treehouse home.  

In this 13-episode series, both Steve and Terri, along with Australia Zoo director Wes Mannion, drop by at the treehouse to share their stories of animal adventures from across the globe.  

Bindi also takes time out to log in and answer questions from fans around the world in a regular segment called Bindi’s Blog. Rounding up the fun are animal-themed song-and-dance routines.  

Bindi often joins The Crocmen to sing and dance to original tunes like When the Hippo Moves Her Hips and Monkey in the Jungle. 

Some episode titles include Not Many Left, Elephants at Work, American Beauties, Cat Tracks and Aussie Icons. 

Here are excerpts from an interview with Bindi.  

Q: What has it been like filming Bindi: The Jungle Girl?  

The best part of filming this series was going to work with my dad. He was so much fun, and he taught me so much about wildlife and how important it is for people to care about animals. 

Q: Do you have a favourite moment? 

One of my favourite moments could be swinging on the ropes that we have in my treehouse. It is just so much fun to be able to swing around the place from rope to rope. I also loved it when my pet dog, Diamond, made a surprise visit to the treehouse and, of course, it was so good when I got to have my pet rat Candy on the show! 

Q: You have a rat as a pet? 

Candy is my favourite friend and we do lots of fun things together! We go out roller-blading and he rides on my shoulder. He likes to play with all of my other animal friends too, except the snakes, of course.  

Q: Do you have a favourite episode? 

I really love them all, but I’d have to say that Elephants at Work is probably one of my favourites. Elephants are truly amazing creatures, and it’s really sad because they are losing their habitat in certain parts of the world. They work so hard, like bulldozers, but they can also be fun, loving and playful. I got to ride on an elephant’s back, which was so much fun, while filming this episode.  

Q: What’s it like to live in a two-storey treehouse – every kid’s ultimate fantasy – in this show? 

My treehouse is amazing because I get to spend time with some of my favourite animal friends like my black-headed python, Blackie; my iguana, Peru; my koala, Jaffa; and my kookaburra, Tick. The treehouse is the starting point of every show. We got the idea for the treehouse to be my home in the show because my dad built me a real treehouse in the bush in our zoo, and we would play and eat together there. But the treehouse in my show is so much bigger and full of so many really fun things and animals.  

Q: A lot of kids who watch this series might think you are very brave to get close and personal with animals as you do. Did you have to overcome any fears in order to do that? 

I have been around all types of animals since the day I was born. My dad taught me to respect all animals, so I’ve never had to overcome any fear. Plus, I’m always with someone who knows the safe way to interact with these animals.  

Q: How involved are you in coming up with ideas for the series? 

If I have an idea for an episode, say about pandas, I’ll talk to my mum and the producer and let them know. They always listen to me, and we work on how to do it in a way that will be entertaining for kids to watch. 

Q: You are becoming the spokesperson for the young generation that will live in the world adults are creating. What do you think kids can do to impact the environment and help protect wildlife? How do you think your show will help in this? 

I believe that we will lose a lot of animals from the planet before I am old enough to drive. That is very sad. I want to encourage people to do something in their own way to help stop this terrible thing from happening. One thing everyone can do is not buy any wildlife products. 

Part 2 to follow

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It's not every day a four-year-old celebrates his birthday with thousands of fans but Bob Irwin is not your everyday little boy.

Flanked by his mother Terri and sister Bindi, the son of the late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin celebrated his big day yesterday with a massive dinosaur cake and friends including Barney, Thomas the Tank Engine and Humphrey B Bear.

He was joined by up to 5000 delighted fans who packed the Irwin’s famed Australia Zoo to join in the celebrations.

“It has been a great hit, Robert had an absolute blast,” an Australia Zoo spokeswoman said.

“The cake was huge, we had a dinosaur cake.

“Robert is absolutely adorable and he has grown so quickly in the last year.”

Bob is understood to be following in the footsteps of his famous father, renowned for his love of animals and conservation initiatives.

“He is following in his dad’s footsteps,” the spokeswoman said.

“Terri always says how much he is like his dad in that he can pick animals before anyone else sees them – he has that sixth sense, I guess.”

The dinosaur-themed party, also attended by Santa, followed a similar bash held to celebrate the birthday of Bob’s more famous sister Bindi, who turned nine last July.

Bindi was joined by the equally famous Brisbane twins The Veronicas as part of the zoo’s tradition to mark the Irwin children’s birthdays.

Bob was first exposed to the media spotlight when he was only a month old, after his father came under heavy criticism for feeding a crocodile while carrying him under one arm.

Steve Irwin was 44 when he was killed in a freak accident in September last year, when he was speared through the heart by a stingray barb while filming a documentary off north Queensland.

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Irwin, 43, was travelling home from the US to celebrate her son Robert's fourth birthday at Australia Zoo at Beerwah when she became ill.

Passengers were shocked to see Irwin leave the Qantas flight in a wheelchair and wearing an oxygen mask.

Mrs Irwin, Robert and her daughter, Bindi, had been in the US as guests on a float at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade last month.

Their manager, John Stainton, said the wife of the late Steve Irwin had come down with a virus resulting in laryngitis.

"She just got a bit of a flu bug in her travels," Mr Stainton told The Sunday Mail.

He said Mrs Irwin had consulted a doctor and was resting.

"She is fine," he said. "It is Bob's birthday and she was out there cutting the cake today."

It was no ordinary party. Robert was joined by a 4000-strong crowd at Australia Zoo's Crocoseum on the Sunshine Coast.

He wore a khaki shirt and shorts to celebrate the dinosaur-themed bash with sister Bindi and a stegosaurus-shaped birthday cake.

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Shared passion ... Steve Irwin's son, Robert, carries on the family trade.

Steve Irwin's son, Robert, is following in his father's wildlife-loving footsteps, the Crocodile Hunter's widow said today.

Terri Irwin said three-year-old Robert shared the same passion for nature as his nine-year-old sister, Bindi, and father, Steve, who died after being pierced in the chest by a stingray barb on September 4, 2006.

"He's just so much like Steve," Terri Irwin told Sky News in Britain.

"He has a real gift for seeing wildlife and being able to interact with it and I think he and Bindi will both follow in their father's footsteps.

"They have a real sense, as Steve did, of local wildlife issues and global wildlife issues.

"Hopefully they'll see that their dad had a real point in his life to make the world a better place."

AAP

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The inaugural Steve Irwin Classic was a ripper of an event, with a stack of people turning out for the two day contest that incorporated golf, surfing and a gala dinner. Australia Zoo’s Wes Mannion’s team came second, but the Crikey Cup was won by Beach Beat. What a little ripper!

Day one of the classic began with a day of competitive golf played under a clear blue sky! 

The event also attracted you beaut celebs including pro surfers Zane Holmes and Matt Hoy and hosts of the gala dinner, Steve Jacobs and Jo-Beth Taylor. Young Divas and hot new comers, Inakin also put on a spectacular show at Moffat beach. The competition was followed by a surf paddle out with over 100 surfers, who formed a ring; a heart felt tribute to Steve.

The gala dinner was a packed out event with Ricki-Lee Coulter putting on a ripper of a show at the Novotel Twin Waters. Overall the event was a huge success with stacks of people coming together to remember the one and only Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin.

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Steve Irwin's contribution to crocodile research and wildlife conservation has been recognised in a special presentation on November 14, the eve of the first annual Steve Irwin Day.

The presentation, which was open to the public, took place in front of a full auditorium at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience at The University of Queensland (UQ). UQ crocodile specialist, Professor Craig Franklin, who was a friend and colleague to Steve, opened the evening with an hour-long lecture summarising the research which the Irwin family, Australia Zoo, University of Queensland and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service staff had carried out over recent years.

The lecture was entitled "Tracking Crocodiles in 3 dimensions" and was a fascinating insight into crocodiles' behaviour in the wild. This groundbreaking research was conducted using various specially-designed tracking devices, utilising a number of systems including satellite and VHF radio.

Following the lecture, Terri accepted a very special award on behalf of Steve – an Adjunct Professorship from the University of Queensland. Terri said, "I am very proud because this honours Steve as a scientist in his own right and recognises Steve's ongoing research work."

A contingent of Australia Zoo staff were proud to attend the presentation too, many of whom work on the crocodile research trips each year.

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Bindi Wear International is inspired by Bindi Irwin. It is a directional full fashion range for babies to 10 year olds with over 200 pieces of daywear, swimwear, footwear and socks, plus accessories including bags and hats. Bindi Wear International is CLOTHING WITH A CONSCIENCE - each outfit creates a lifestyle for children so that they can feel like they are making a difference in the world. Conservation themes include "Save me - Plant a Tree" about Koala conservation, "Tigers should be loved not rugs", "Whales - don't let their time on earth come to an end" and "Say no to Wildlife Products". The range also features an original "Crocodile Camouflage" for girls and boys. The purchase of any Bindi Wear International product also helps Australia Zoo to achieve exciting new territory in wildlife and wilderness conservation with a portion of the proceeds directly supporting Australia Zoo's conservation programs.

The range will be available from March 1st at MYER DEPARTMENT STORES across Australia and selected Boutiques.
The range will also be available in USA at selected boutiques.

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BINDI Irwin beamed as she sailed down New York's Broadway in a jungle-themed animal float dedicated to the legacy of her late father Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin for the famed Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The little khaki-clad wildlife warrior enthusiastically waved and bounced around on the Animal Planet float, thrilling a sea of spectators. The noisy crowd filled every vantage point along the Manhattan parade route, some cheering out "Bindi, Bindi. We love you."

Terri Irwin, who joined her nine-year-old daughter on the animal float along with the Crocmen, said it was "Bindi's turn to shine and it was like every little girl's dream come true".

"She said: ‘I cannot believe how many people there are'. She just kept saying that," Terri Irwin said.

"And for her, hearing people cheer for her and her daddy, I know she was really moved. I've never seen her so bouncy and happy and grinning and waving. It was a wonderful moment."

"It's kind of like a dream come true. You know how you can dream that you can fly and suddenly you can fly - that's what Bindi looked like."

Steve Irwin, who died last year from a stingray barb, was hugely popular with the American crowd when he appeared in the annual parade in 2004.

This year's Animal Planet float was dedicated to his legacy of animal conservation and saw Bindi debut in the over-the-top spectacular that kicks off the US Christmas season.

"It really felt like the spirit of Steve was there today, I'd have to say. It was fantastic," Terri said.

It was her second time on the Animal Planet float after appearing in 1999. She said Bindi just marvelled at the size of the 81st parade.

"In Australia we're not exposed to the Macy's Day Parade, so she's kind of thinking (it would be) like the Nambour Show and instead it's just mind blowing," Terri Irwin said.

"So for Bindi the experience was beyond anything she could have comprehended and it was just jaw dropping."

"Seeing people 10 storeys high on either side and a thousand people deep, it was just amazing.

"I think it was inspiring to hear people cheering for Bindi and to hear people cheering for Steve.

"It was just really uplifting. It was a beautiful day."

About 50 million US television viewers watch the annual Macy's parade.

Terri, Bindi and Robert Irwin left New York after the parade to fly to London to promote Terri's book Steve and Me: Life with the Crocodile Hunter.

The book is No. 12 on The New York Times best-seller list.

They will be back in Australia in early December to celebrate Robert's fourth birthday with a big party planned at Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast.

New Yorkers Christine and Richard Huntemann and their children, Elizabeth, 7 and Giancarlo, 9, said they were thrilled to see Bindi carrying on her father's legacy.

Ms Huntemann said she saw a "lot of her father" in Bindi.

"She has a lot of his personality in her,' she said.

"She was very energetic up there, jumping up and down. She looks just like her dad. I cried like a baby when that happened (Steve Irwin's death) and seeing her brought it all back.

"She's her dad and she's a beautiful little child. I hope for her all the success that she deserves."

Giancarlo said he saw Bindi "jumping all around the float" and added, "I feel bad for her that her dad died somewhere in the ocean".

Amy Verachariya, 21, who travelled from Seattle for the Macy's parade, said her favourite balloon featured Shrek but she was happy to see Bindi in the parade.

"I think it was great that she was there," she said.

Joe Fullum from New Jersey took his two children, Julia, 7, and Joseph, 9, to the parade.

"It's unfortunate about what happened but it was great she could come and it's good she is helping to protect animals," Mr Fullum said.

It was unseasonably warm in Manhattan for the parade, with balloons filling the skies amid banners, flags and dancers. The line up of 10,000 performers included three new balloons, the Radio City Rockettes, 2000 cheerleaders, four Broadway shows and 11 marching bands.

The Virginia Tech Regimental Band played in honour of the victims April's massacre.

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BINDI Irwin is preparing to make her first appearance on a float in the famed Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade three years after her Crocodile Hunter dad wowed New Yorkers at the annual event.

Steve Irwin was popular with the Manhattan crowd when he appeared on a parade float in 2004 and now his daughter will follow in his footsteps down Broadway at midnight tonight Brisbane time.

In previous years, Australian megastar children's entertainers The Wiggles have also taken part in the over-the-top Thanksgiving celebration that is watched by more than 50 million US viewers.

Bindi Irwin, the pint-sized "wildlife warrior", will make her star turn on the Animal Planet float along with the Crocmen and her mother Terri Irwin.

Macy's spokesman Orlando Veras said the float was "full of very large animals". "It's called Animal Wonders and it features huge, giant animals, a whale, a large elephant, a parrot. It's really about the world of animals," he said.

"This is Bindi's first time in the parade. She is very popular. She is the star of her own show on Animal Planet and we always try to bring the best of Animal Planet in terms of their talent to the parade."

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There are Hollywood offers, though, she said, confirming that she and Bindi have been asked to take her jungle girl show to the big screen.

“That’s the rumor,” Irwin told Roker. “We pass everything on to our producer and tell him, whatever comes along, be very appreciative and say, ‘No.’ ”

The way she said it gave the impression that “no” could turn into “yes.” Bindi acted as if she’d be keen on doing a movie.

“I really heard it’s all about my mum and my little brother, Robert, and animals,” she offered.

Of course, in the Irwin household, everything is about family and animals. Her father was chasing crocodiles along with every other manner of critter before he became a star for doing so. And he never lost his wide-eyed wonder and awe at the world he brought to his viewers.

Bindi sounded just like him when she talked snakes with Roker, drawing out words like “gorgeous” and “amazing” — they come out “GOR-geous” and “a-MAAAY–zing” — to describe them.

‘Tough on the outside and tender on the inside’
A week ago, she and her family took part in “Steve Irwin Day” back home in Australia and helped dedicate a statue of Irwin and his family and a crocodile. She sang a song at the festivities, as did Olivia Newton-John.

“It was so much fun,” Bindi said. “It was so nice that everybody was there cheering for daddy’s life.”

This week, she’s in New York, getting ready to ride in a float dedicated to her father — the Crocman — in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Asked how she keeps her daughter grounded, Terri Irwin laughed and described the sparsely settled part of Queensland, Australia where they make their home. “We live in the bush,” she said. “Anytime the pressure starts to mount, we go bush.”

They learned that from Steve Irwin, who never let stardom get between him and his real love of wildlife and the outback.

His daughter is the same way, Irwin said.

“She’s so much like him. She’s tough on the outside and tender on the inside,” she told Roker. “She’s got a real empathy for all wildlife, and I think it’s really important now that we realize that humanitarian issues are so intrinsically linked with our environment. Bindi’s bringing that message to a whole new generation.”

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And a hug for a much missed dad. 

IT was the moment to make any heart ache.

Just after the unveiling of a life-size statue of Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin and his family yesterday, when the cameras stopped flashing, three-year-old Robert Irwin clambered onto the plinth and spread his little arms around the waist of his father's craggy likeness.

With his head pressed into the unyielding folds of the familiar khaki shirt now cast in bronze, the littlest Irwin hugged and squeezed.

It was not noticed by many in the huge crowd which gathered to watch the statue's unveiling at Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast to commemorate the first Steve Irwin Day.

But his mother Terri Irwin, fighting laryngitis, looked as if she was holding back a tear as she quietly called him down to join daughter Bindi, 9, and Irwin's best mate and zoo director Wes Mannion and Irwin's father Robert for the walk to the Crocoseum and the day's celebrations.

As she wrote in the book My Steve which she launched for Australian readers at the zoo yesterday: "Robert is like a pitiful puppy and still waits patiently for his daddy to come home from heaven.

"I hadn't been prepared for how devastated Robert would be. Some nights he sits in the bathtub and cries. 'I want my daddy', he says, over and over. It absolutely tears my heart out."

But yesterday's special day – almost 15 months since Irwin was fatally wounded by a stingray barb to his heart while filming off Cairns – was carefully stage-managed as one of celebrations of the wildlife warrior's life and his conservation work.

More than 6000 fans packed the Crocoseum to see Bindi and the Crocmen perform the world premiere of two catchy new songs - this time with rap overtones - saluting her late father as well as the threats facing animals around the world.

Olivia Newton-John, whom Terri introduced as a "good friend" - also sang, along with rocker Jimmy Barnes.

The day was just how Irwin would have liked it – pure theatre from his family's walk down the green carpet surrounded by a guard of honour of Australian wildlife to the a capella strains of a khaki choir, to swooping wild birds, slithering snakes, leaping crocodiles and the launch of a new croc-wise message.

There was even a sign that Bindi could have some competition for the spotlight in the future with little Robert and his best mate Riley (Mannion's son) premiering in a cute mini-documentary which showed them running the zoo.

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Aussie all the way ... Bindi Irwin.

BINDI IRWIN has said no to Hollywood, knocking back an offer to star in a feature film.

The nine-year-old, who has been on a juggernaut of global entertainment success, will stay in Queensland after her mother, Terri Irwin, and manager, John Stainton, declined an offer for her to relocate to Los Angeles to make a big-screen film.

"There has been lots of interest from lots of parties in the States," Stainton said. "But it's one of those things we're not doing. While Bindi lives at the zoo in Beerwah, she has every chance of being a normal kid. I think the influences that she would get from having to live in Hollywood, or do a movie in Hollywood, would be different."

Stainton said there may still be a prospect of a Bindi Irwin feature film - but only one made in Australia.

"If we did a film at some stage down the track, in the next five years or whenever, we would do it here in the local area," he said.

Stainton said Terri Irwin was determined to remain in Australia with her children, and planned to become an Australian citizen in the next 12 months.

Though Bindi plans to stay in Queensland, her entertainment career continues at a record pace. She released a music single, Trouble in the Jungle, yesterday.

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Olivia Newton-John gives Terri Irwin a hug after Terri welcomes her to Australia Zoo for Steve Irwin Day.

Writing a book about her life with Steve was one of the last things Terri Irwin wanted to do after the death of her Croc Hunter husband in September last year.

But in that typical Irwin fashion, the mother of two put aside her own grief to share memories of a man who dedicated his life to wildlife conservation and in turn became an Australian icon.

She was forced to read through the journals she had kept throughout their 14-year marriage and re-live the wonderful times she had shared with Steve, knowing she would never be able to recapture that magic.

“It was surprisingly difficult throughout the whole experience,” Terri said of writing the book.

“I couldn’t be near my children because sometimes I would just weep.

“So I had to be very private at the time of writing, and even the funny stories were very painful, knowing that we would never be able to share that again.”

In a frank and earnest account of her relationship with Steve, Terri spoke about the connection the two shared from the instant their eyes met across the crocodile enclosure at the then Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park back in October 1991.

“A lot of us look back at situations and opportunities and think ‘It must’ve been destiny’,” she said.

“I’m no (psychic) John Edward, but When I met Steve there was something about him that made me feel like ‘Whoa, something is at work here that’s bigger than both of us’ and that has been part of our lives, our work and our marriage ever since.

“If we were arguing about a project or about conservation work there was that sense of destiny and that kept us on track.

“We wanted to make sure that what we left behind would make the world a better place, and we realised that petty problems were just that, and we’d go straight back to work.”

Despite the challenge of writing the book, Terri said she wanted people to see the Steve she knew and loved so they would have more appreciation for his work.

“Sharing things that people wouldn’t have known about – the laughter, the embarrassing things and the happy memories – there are things that people would not have known about Steve, but basically with Steve, what you saw was what you got,” she said.

One memory that stood out for Terri was a trip to the Simpson Desert to film a documentary.

“When we go out filming, it’s not like we’re at the Ritz drinking Mai-Thais; we’d go out bush and we were in the desert and we’d hit the nearest dam for a tub,” she said.

“There was something in the ground that I hurt my foot on and I asked Steve to move it but we didn’t know what it was.

“I thought it was a tree limb or something, but there were no trees around and Steve couldn’t budge it.

“So Steve got the ute and pulled out this cow’s pelvis with this half decomposed cow hanging off it and it was right where I had been washing my hair and brushing my teeth just a few moments earlier.

“Those were the funny moments, the good times when we’d sit and watch the sunset, and Steve would cook dinner and we’d sit around the camp fire.

“It was an experience like we were living in a movie and I never lost that sense, it was wonderful, thrilling, challenging, different, exciting and sometimes scary.”

Terri said since Steve’s death, she had learnt to cope day to day and was grateful for the time they had together.

“I don’t have any regrets, I cherished the good times we had together and we had a whole month together before he died.

“We said our goodbyes, even though we didn’t know at the time that they would be our last goodbyes, but we were very lucky.”

Now Terri is looking forward to continuing to expand Australia Zoo and completing the numerous projects she started with Steve all those years ago.

“There has been a tremendous amount done since we lost Steve, and we’re determined not to let anything falter,” she said.

“Some days it’s hard to get out of bed, but then I see the daylight and I think of all that needs to be done.”

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Olivia Newton-John waves to themassive crowd at the Australia Zoo Steve Irwin Day.

It started with the unveiling of a bronze statue of the Irwin family, including Steve’s dog, Sui, and a saltwater crocodile the family caught while on their last holiday in North Queensland before his death.

It was just what the iconic Croc Hunter would have wanted on a day that was dedicated to celebrating his life and his great passion for his family and for wildlife.

More than 6000 people flooded into Australia Zoo, many dressed in khaki in memory of Steve’s uniform, for the first ever Steve Irwin Day.

The sun was out and visitors from all over the world, including Canada, the USA, UK and Japan, packed into the crocoseum where Terri and Bindi Irwin welcomed the crowds and spoke of their passion for wildlife and their desire to continue Steve’s legacy by teaching people about conservation.

There was a message from Prime Minister John Howard who spoke of Steve as a vivacious character who left an indelible mark on the country.

School children clapped and sang along to great Aussie anthems like “A Home Among the Gum Trees” and “True Blue” as babies dressed in khaki clutched plush crocodiles in their mothers’ laps, and young people draped themselves in the Australian flag with faces painted green and gold or red white and blue.

The mood was bright when Terri, Bindi and zoo director Wes Mannion came on stage and a roar went up from the crowd.

Terri struggled with laryngitis throughout the proceedings but she thanked the public for their support during the past year and told how Steve Irwin Day stood for family, conservation and fun.

Bindi then launched two new songs, including one dedicated to her dad, in which she talked about catching snakes, jumping on crocs and chasing lizards with her dad.

She also sang about his international stardom, singing that despite everything he did he was “just plain dad to me”.

Olivia Newton-John made a guest appearance as part of the celebrations, singing “We are Magic” and “I Honestly Love You” as well as a special Christmas song, “A mother’s Christmas wish”, which she dedicated to Terri.

She said it was important to continue Steve’s legacy by showing love and compassion towards all animals, “not just the soft and cuddly ones, but the crocs as well”.

It was then time for the Croc show, which Terri hosted with Wes, and it was during this daily event that she seemed most relaxed and at ease, as though thinking that if she couldn’t be with Steve the closest thing she could come to him was to be with crocs.

Throughout the Croc show, Terri joked around with Wes – at one stage saying that Murray the croc weighed 400kg – “almost twice as much as Wes” and at another point feeding Murray his favourite snack, a rat, and quipping that someone was going to miss out at the kiosk for lunch.

Later Terri said that the response to Steve Irwin Day had been bigger than she had expected.

Video: How Robert Irwin thought statue of mum was 'alien'

“Losing Steve was such a tragedy for all of us, but it has given us the opportunity to take stock and re-evaluate what’s important in our lives,” she said.

“Some days I’m still waiting for him to come through the door, and sometimes it feels like it’s only just happened, while other times it seems like it was a lifetime ago (that he died).”

She said next year’s event would be bigger and better and the zoo would continue to expand the event and keep it as an annual tradition.

“It should be an international public holiday so that everyone can take the day off and hold a big party in the bush,” she said.

She said Steve had been the closest thing to a “real life action hero” she had ever known and his spirit would continue to burn bright through conservation and at Australia zoo.

The day was capped off with a performance by Jimmy Barnes, but the celebrations will continue into the weekend with the Steve Irwin Classic, featuring a golf and surf competition.

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You could just about hear the voice of Steve Irwin echoing off the beach at Moffats, where he would trade his khaki shorts and shirt for boardies and some ripping right-handers off the point break every chance he got.

The sight of so many fellow surf fanatics getting out and having a go for the Crikey Cup would have had Steve punching his fists in excitement.

And he might also have had a wry chuckle to see his good mate at Australia Zoo, Wes Mannion, was still sliding down the face of a wave as gracefully as he jumps on a croc’s back.

To top things off, even the sea life seemed to feel the spirit of Steve at hand.

After the paddle-out of 100 surfers to honour the late Croc Hunter, who continues to inspire millions of people around the world, a green turtle joined in.

As the surfers solemnly formed a circle, it broke the surface in the middle – one of a number of the local turtles that seemed drawn to Moffat Beach yesterday.

Wes was elated by the big roll-up to the surfing leg of the Cup, which also involved a team golf day on Friday.

“It’s a chance for people to get out there and celebrate his life,” Wes said.

“A lot of his surfing mates are here today. Most of the people here would have surfed in or around him over the years.

“Steve was absolutely passionate about his surfing. When he got out of the water at Moffats or Curra (Currimundi) after a big surf he was just on cloud nine.”

Al Hing of Beach Beat may have helped come up with the fun cup concept, but it was his 13-year-old daughter, Tianni, who best summed up what they were out there for.

“I think it’s a good way to appreciate what he did for anybody. It was getting out, getting close to nature – it made us feel good about him,” she said.

Wes’s favourite surfing memory of Steve was one that the Croc Hunter’s good mate almost did not survive.

“When I first started surfing with him, Steve said ‘Wes, let’s go to Samoa’ and the waves were like 10 foot plus and I nearly drowned,” Wes said.

“He’d be there saying ‘here, Wes, get on this one’ and I’d be saying ‘no!’.

“Nothing scared him.”

There was talk yesterday of the time Steve was surfing during a shark sighting, which Al found amusing.

Instead of bolting for the shore like other surfers, the Croc Hunter is supposed to have ducked his head under the water trying to get a better look.

“That’d be him all right,” Al said.

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Irwin's wife Terri was presented with the award from the university's School of Integrative Biology tonight while father Bob Irwin and staff from Australia Zoo watched on.

"I think that this would be such a tremendous honour to Steve," she said.

"This will be something the Irwin family will treasure forever."

She said that while she was proud of what her husband had achieved, she was excited about the future of the research project he had helped start.

The presentation followed a public lecture by Irwin's friend and colleague Professor Craig Franklin focusing on Irwin's contribution to crocodile research, including a project which tracked crocodiles' underwater movements from space.

He said the groundbreaking project had discovered wide travelling patterns – up to 900km – and that crocodiles had highly developed instincts which allowed them to find their way home after being relocated hundreds of kilometres away.

Prof Franklin said many of Irwin's fans underestimated just how much he had really contributed to conservation.

He said Irwin had "a long history" of publishing research papers and journals, and had even discovered a new breed of turtle – named Elseya Irwinii – in Queensland's Burdekin River 10 years ago.

Irwin had also achieved the extraordinary feat of being awarded an Australia Research Council linkage grant, he said.

"They're highly prestigious ... and that's quite something for someone who's outside of academia to be named investigator on such a grant," he said.

Tonight's award was a pre-amble to tomorrow's Steve Irwin Day celebrations, which will centre on the Irwins' Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast.

The day has been set aside to remember Irwin, who died when he was stabbed by a stingray barb while filming an underwater documentary off the north Queensland coast.

Thousands of fans will join the Irwin family at a special tribute concert where his nine-year-old daughter Bindi will perform three new songs and Olivia Newton-John will also sing.

Terri Irwin will launch her new book, My Steve, as well as a yet-to-be-revealed "special tribute" to her late husband.

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Wes Mannion plants a tree in his honour of his best mate, Steve Irwin.

It's the perfect way to remember the Coast’s Wildlife Warrior Steve Irwin – and his best mate Wes Mannion hopes it will start a green revolution across Australia.

Wes has backed the Sunshine Coast Daily’s “Plant a Tree For Steve” campaign – your chance to help kick off the festivities for Steve Irwin Day on November 15.

Thanks to the support of three Coast nurseries – Barung Landcare in Maleny, Fairhill Nursery in Ninderry and Coolum Community Native Nursery – Coast families can plant a native tree in memory of Steve.

Wes thinks it could lead to something even bigger – a goal of planting a million native trees a year.

He encouraged as many people as possible to take up the offer of free trees and pay a practical tribute to our Wildlife Warrior.

“We have 260,000 people on the Coast, four million in Queensland, and 20 million in Australia,” he said.

“It’s one little thing – and only takes five minutes of your time.

“If we each planted a tree, what a difference (there would be) overnight,” he said.

Mr Mannion did his bit, planting his first tree yesterday, as part of the lead-up to the inaugural Steve Irwin Day on November 15, to celebrate the wildlife legend’s life and work.

And preparations are well underway for the big day.

“It’s coming together pretty well,” Mr Mannion said.

“We have re-done the front entrance (to the zoo), and we will have a special presentation for that.

“Bindi (Irwin) will be singing two new songs, Olivia Newton-John and Jimmy Barnes will also be performing, and Terri (Irwin) will be book-signing.

“You can’t get more Australian than that.”

And while golf balls and water are no strangers to each other for some weekend hackers, they form a more unusual union, for the inaugural Steve Irwin Classic.

“This is different – it’s surfing one day, golfing the next,” Mr Mannion said.

“You can put up two teams if you want, if some of you don’t surf, or (some don’t) play golf.

He admitted he’s no great shakes at either.

Mr Mannion said every visitor should wear khaki on the day – and they will get 10% off at the gate if they do.

“That’s the uniform for the great backyard campout we are having,” he said.

Mr Mannion said the emphasis on all events will be families, which includes the backyard campout, where you can spend time with your family and friends while raising money for a great cause.

For details of how to collect your free native tree – see Page 110 of today's Daily

STEVE IRWIN DAY, Thursday, November 15

* At 10am Terri Irwin will conduct a special unveiling in the zoo of a tribute to Steve. This will become a special part of the zoo for years to come.

* The Crocoseum will be transformed into the Rockoseum with huge acts performed throughout the day, including Bindi Irwin and the Crocmen, Olivia Newton-John and Jimmy Barnes.

* Terri will launch her new book, My Steve and conduct book signings from 1pm.

* Australia Zoo is asking people from around the world to don their khakis in remembering Steve and raising money for wildlife conservation. So if you don your khakis you will receive 10% off your entry fee at Australia Zoo and a free khaki wristband.

* You will also be eligible to enter the Khaki Catwalk fashion parade. Khaki Catwalk will be judged by Bindi. There will be two age categories, 12 and under and 12 and over.

* Australia Zoo will have its very own beach, with a huge crocodile sand sculpture, sand sculpture workshops and a visit from the surf lifesavers.

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The wildlife park, created in 1992 by Irwin and now run by his widow Terri, was named Queensland's major tourist attraction at the 2007 Queensland Tourism Awards in Townsville last night.

Queensland Tourism Minister Desley Boyle said Australia Zoo was the clear market leader in the state's tourism industry.

"Australia Zoo has become an iconic attraction that has always looked to the future by incorporating new attractions," Ms Boyle said.

"I warmly congratulate Terri Irwin and her team. It's a popular winner and an inspiration to everyone in the industry."

The other major winner of the night was Warner Village Theme Parks chief executive John Menzies, who was honoured for his outstanding contribution to the state's tourism industry.

Warner runs a number of theme parks in Queensland, including Sea World, Movie World and Wet'n'Wild on the Gold Coast.

"John has worked his way up the ranks from his early days as a performance water skier to building up Seaworld to a world-class attraction, helping to develop Hamilton Island and overseeing the inception of Warner Brothers Movieworld," Ms Boyle said.

More than 200 entries were received for this year's awards, which were dominated by north Queensland operators.

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Matthew, Tayla and Riley Clegg celebrate their eighth birthday on Steve Irwin Day.

Tayla likes her animals cute and cuddly.

Her brothers Matthew and Riley prefer snakes, crocodiles and spiders.

But one thing all the Clegg triplets can agree on is their hero, Steve Irwin.

“He is great,” Tayla said.

“I really like Bindi too. Her show is my favourite.”

The Buderim siblings, who are almost eight, love Steve Irwin so much that their parents bought an annual pass to Australia Zoo when they were five and have renewed it every year since.

It was during one of their frequent trips to the zoo that they learnt about Steve Irwin Day, and the link between Steve and triplets became even stronger.

“It is the same day as our birthday,” Tayla said.

“We are going to have an Australian animal theme party. My favourite is the koala. But I like polar bears the best because they are so cute and cuddly. But they are not Australian so I like koalas.”

Their mum, Christine, thought she could take the animal theme one step further and has registered her children’s party as a fundraiser for the Irwin charity Wildlife Warriors.

From close family and friends they have already raised $100 and hope that the official celebration next week will raise even more.

“It is a completely voluntary thing,” Christine said.

“We just thought it would be a fitting thing to do. The kids just loved Steve and they adore Bindi and they really love animals.

“When we saw their birthday was also Steve Irwin day, we just thought we could do something to help.”

The Cleggs have also jumped at the chance to plant a tree for Steve.

They visited Fairhill Naive Plants and Botanic Gardens nursery in Yandina yesterday to check out the natives ahead of this weekend.

“It is just a lovely idea,” Christine said.

“The kids love planting things – they have a vegetable garden out the back. But when I saw the promotion in the Daily, I thought that is something we can definitely do.

“Seeing as Steve was into conservation, it’s something I think would please him. To have people planting trees rather than cutting them down.”

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THE Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin will be posthumously awarded with an adjunct professorship at the University of Queensland.

Irwin's wife Terri will accept the award on November 14, when the university holds a free public lecture about crocodile research.

UQ crocodile expert and Irwin's close friend, Professor Craig Franklin, said the presentation would be moving given the Crocodile Hunter had been killed before the honour could be presented.

"Notification of the honour was waiting for Steve at Australia Zoo, but sadly he never returned to find out the good news," Prof Franklin said.

"This presentation now gives us the opportunity to publicly recognise his remarkable contribution to research and conservation."

Irwin's widow Terri will accept the award on the eve of the first Steve Irwin Day.

"I am very proud because this honours Steve as a scientist in his own right and recognises Steve's ongoing research work," she said in a statement.

Prof Franklin's lecture is entitled "Tracking Crocodiles in Three Dimensions".

He worked with Irwin as part of the Crocs in Space crocodile satellite tracking project set up in Queensland five years ago.

The team's discoveries forced scientists to rethink theories about how the reptiles live.

They included the fact that large male crocs were not "king of the river system" but were instead social creatures.

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it feels kind of comforting to see him and hear his voice."

Terri still keeps Steve's toothbrush in the bathroom and his sarong on the bed. And his trademark khakis still hang in the closet as he had arranged them. "The good ones are on the right for filming," Terri told Walters during a tour. "And then there's the ones he'd wear just day by day."

She says the hardest time is "when I come back in the house and it's so quiet" confessing that Steve was "hot in the cot" whether at home or camping in the outback. Although Steve told her she should remarry if anything happened to him, Terri still can't imagine another man in her life, "not even remotely."

In Steve's Footsteps

Still, Terri is grabbing life by the jaws. Continuing Steve's research, she just led her first croc-hunting trip, returning to the spot in north Queensland where the family last saw Steve alive. She is wrestling and roping crocodiles in order to implant transmitters to study their habits.

As Steve would have done, she allowed a film crew to follow her and the family on this emotional trip for her first solo documentary, "In Steve's Footsteps," which airs on Animal Planet on November 11th at 10pm ET. She doesn't feel she is taking any unnecessary risks. "I think being in a car is far more dangerous. I feel much more in control with a 16 foot croc, 3,000 pounds jaw pressure trying to have a go at me. And I love 'em."

Terri is clearly Steve Irwin's wife, and his children are also following in his footsteps. Bindi recently launched a clothing line, BindiWear, to raise funds to help wildlife. More controversially, she went back to work filming her new TV series, "Bindi the Jungle Girl" soon after her father died. Some have accused Terri of exploiting the children, a charge she vigorously denies. "Through getting professional advice I've learned that Bindi's wanting to get back into filming is part of her normal. Because she's filmed all her life. And she's loving it." Little Robert often appears on the program, and has pledged to become a crocodile hunter like his father.

Terri, an American, says Australia is now her home and she is looking into becoming an Australian citizen. When Barbara Walters last interviewed Terri after Steve's death, she vowed that the family would learn to have fun again. Terri says now she is "getting glimpses of fun" and is "determined that life is going to be good, particularly for my kids." She says "there will never be another Steve Irwin, but I think I can try."

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Touching and charmingXImageTransform.Microsoft.AlphaImageLoader(src='http://images.amazon.com/images/G/01/associates/network/star50_tpng.png', sizingMethod='scale'); WIDTH: 56px; HEIGHT: 11px" height="11" alt="5" src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/associates/transparent-pixel._V42752378_.gif" width="56" name="pngImage" />
A lovely and well written book that is an easy read. I enjoyed it a great deal. They are a wonderful family that has given so much. Recommend the book highly.

Very Lacking for True FansXImageTransform.Microsoft.AlphaImageLoader(src='http://images.amazon.com/images/G/01/associates/network/star10_tpng.png', sizingMethod='scale'); WIDTH: 56px; HEIGHT: 11px" height="11" alt="1" src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/associates/transparent-pixel._V42752378_.gif" width="56" name="pngImage" />
When I saw this book on Steve and Terri Irwin's life, written by Terri Irwin, I immediately purchased it. I am a long time fan of Steve and Terri's and their work, and I still mourn the loss of Steve and what it has meant for global conservation and for Terri and their children. Anyone who has watched the different series over the years that Steve and Terri produced for Animal Planet knows what an incredible person Steve was and that Terri was his soul mate (as saccharine as that may sound, it was obvious to anyone who watched them together). My problem with the book is that after having read it, I realized that I had not gained any new insights into Steve and Terri's work nor their relationship. The text of the book stuck very closely to information that has all been released on their television programs and in the press. Even the photos were ones that I have all seen before- just stock photos. I had expected maybe a few pictures from the Irwins' private collection. But they were all taken from pictures in the public domain that have been used over and over, and have been seen if you were a constant viewer of their shows. I can see that for those readers that did not watch on a constant basis their television programs, there very well might be some interesting information in this book. But for those fans who watched Steve and Terri, year after year, and their budding family on television there was nothing new at all. The book felt very sanitized and careful to not really delve into more intimate world of the wonderful conservationist, husband and father that Steve Irwin was- giving us insights beyond the television screen. And nothing new of any substance was given about Steve and Terri's life together. It was just a compilation of all the information given on their television series. I was extremely disappointed. I think that "true blue" serious fans of the Irwins will find this book disappointing while very casual observers and fans of the Irwins and their television work over the years will find some new information as they did not see it when it was presented on TV. It pains me to give this book such a low rating but this is not an incisive or thoughtful book on the life of Steve Irwin or of the relationship between Steve and Terri. I think we will have to wait for another author and another book to answer many questions and to fill in some of the details Terri so carefully avoided. Rest in peace Steve. And Terri, our prayers are with you- I don't know how you live without the love of your life every day. I know in your heart you probably wanted so much to preserve the privacy of your family and that is probably the reason for the lack of a more incisive and personal tribute to her husband and their relationship. In addition, perhaps it was too soon or too much to write a book about her husband and their life. All I can say is that the result is a very disappointing book that adds nothing new to what we know about these two wonderful people's lives.

One of the Great Love StoriesXImageTransform.Microsoft.AlphaImageLoader(src='http://images.amazon.com/images/G/01/associates/network/star50_tpng.png', sizingMethod='scale'); WIDTH: 56px; HEIGHT: 11px" height="11" alt="5" src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/associates/transparent-pixel._V42752378_.gif" width="56" name="pngImage" />
This book is full of the REAL inside story of Steve Irwin, the man who has probably done more for wildlife than anyone, and it's jam-packed with stories of strange and wonderful animals, but the real surprise is the love story that is at the heart of it. I thought I knew everything about the Crocodile Hunter, but his wife Terri Irwin opens a window on his private life. Just as unbelievable as his exploits in the animal kingdom was the fact that he and Terri found each other. It was truly destiny. She was the one woman perfect for him, and he was the one man perfect for her. I wept real tears all over again for his death, but this book is as much a tribute to his life and his loves than a mourning of his loss. Incredible, easy-to-read and unforgettable.

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Steve and Me: Life with the Crocodile Hunter
By Terri Irwin, Gil Reavill

Part 2 to follow

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TERRI Irwin has ruled out romance with another man.

The widow says she desperately misses her husband, Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, and is not interested in a romantic relationship with anyone else.

Irwin made the vow during an interview with American journalist Barbara Walters for a TV special to air tonight in the US.

"Can you imagine there will ever be another man in your life?" Walters asked Irwin, who flew to the US for the interview.

"Not even remotely," Irwin replied.

"I am honestly, desperately, lonely for Steve.

"I miss him so much, but I'm not desperately lonely."

Irwin told how she was yet to pack her husband's personal belongings away in their Queensland home, although his death from a stingray barb was more than a year ago.

His toothbrush remains in the bathroom, his sarong sits on their bed and his trademark khaki wildlife warrior outfits hang in their cupboard.

"I haven't put anything away," she said. "I'm not there yet.

"His khakis are still in the closet."

Irwin is in the US to promote her new book, Steve and Me: My Life with the Crocodile Hunter.

In the book she writes: "With every tick of the clock I am one moment closer to being with Steve again."

"Does that mean you look forward to dying?" Walters asked during the TV interview.

"No, for me it's a coping mechanism," Irwin replied.

"It's saying I can treasure and appreciate being here, but I don't have the apprehension I once had about death."

The most difficult time she has coping with her husband's death is when she walks into their home and it is quiet.

She also explained why each morning she plays a DVD of Steve for their children, Bindi, nine, and Bob, who turns four next month.

"It works for us," Irwin explained.

"It is an important point to make that everyone reacts differently.

"Some people put photo albums and things away.

"For me, personally, I have this sense of carrying on as if he were still here.

"It's never felt strange.

"The children don't burst into tears.

"It feels kind of comforting to see him and hear his voice."

Irwin also defended her decision to allow Bindi to embark on a show business career.

"Through getting professional advice I've learned that Bindi wanting to get back into filming is normal," she said.

"She's filmed all her life and she's loving it."

The Crocodile Hunter's death while filming a stingray on the Great Barrier Reef on September 4, last year, shocked the world because the stingray was not considered dangerous compared to the deadly crocodiles and snakes he had handled.

Irwin said she has her own theory why the stingray shot its barb into her husband's chest.

"Perhaps, because it was such a large ray in such shallow water, I wonder if it had gone there because it had been hassled by sharks and when Steve swam over it, it may have mistaken Steve for a shark," Irwin speculated.

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CANBERRA (Oct. 29) - Quirky crocodile hunter Steve Irwin had a sixth sense that he would die young, his American-born wife Terri said on Monday.

More than a year after the Khaki-clad naturalist died from a stingray's barb that pierced his heart, Terri Irwin told Australian television she had always tried to deflect her 44-year old husband's darker moments

The Sacramento Bee / ZUMA Press

Did Steve Irwin know he was going to die young? His widow, Terri, says her 'Crocodile Hunter' husband was "open and honest" about his chances of dying while engaging in his life's work.

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Terri Irwin, widow of the late conservationist Steve, says it is alright for people to feed wildlife in their backyards.

Speaking with Andrew Denton on Enough Rope, to be broadcast tonight, the 43-year-old director of Australia Zoo says people should be told it is alright to feed wildlife.

“You know how people always used to say `don’t feed animals cos they’ll become dependent’? We’ve learned that’s hogwash,” she said.

“It’s okay to put birdseed in the backyard and left-over bread for the possums.

“It’s okay to bring wildlife closer to you instead of further away.

“We’re learning, for example, through formal studies that even if you feed your backyard visiting wildlife anything they wanted, say you did the wrong thing and gave possums sticky buns, we’ve now got studies that prove the maximum amount of that diet will be 18 per cent of the animal’s total diet.”

Her comments were in opposition to the advice of several state governments.

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When she's not snuggling up to all things furry, slimy or scaly, Bindi Irwin hibernates to become a creature of a different sort.

The nine-year-old bookworm has as much passion for books as she does for saving wildlife, which is why Bindi took part in the MS Readathon, which raised money for research into the cause of Multiple Sclerosis and funds services for its sufferers.

But what she didn't realise was that by reading a total of 23 books in one month and collecting more than $2000 in donations, she was the sixth highest fundraiser in the state and ranked 35th in the country.

Bindi was presented with rewards for her achievements at Australia Zoo yesterday.

She said raising money for people with MS was "one of the most rewarding things we can do".

The 2007 MS Readathon has raised $4.3 million.

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A special chicken and crocodile mornay pie served up on Friday night offended some customers, who complained to the zoo.

Club head chef Donna Forrest said she received a tongue-lashing from Terri Irwin's personal assistant early this week.

"She said the crocodile was (Crocodile Hunter) Steve Irwin's favourite animal and she was disappointed in us," Ms Forrest said.

The 2kg of farm-raised crocodile was cooked by TAFE apprentices who needed experience preparing game.

The club's secretary-manager Tony Blake said there was nothing illegal in serving the meat.

"I'm sorry if it offended some people," he said. "(But) it's farmed meat. It's even exported overseas.

"I just can't see how serving 2kg of crocodile meat is going to lead to endangerment of the species."

Mr Blake said the club would continue to serve crocodile because there was a demand.

Australia Zoo did not return phone calls.

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Bindi Irwin and 'Tonka' the friendly wombat from Australia Zoo catch up on some reading after Bindi's special award. Photo Warren Lynam

When she’s not snuggling up to all things furry, slimy or scaley, Bindi Irwin hibernates to become a creature of a different sort.

The nine-year-old bookworm has as much a passion for books as she does for saving wildlife, which is why Bindi took part in the MS Readathon, which raises money for research into the cause of Multiple Sclerosis and funds services for its sufferers.

But what she didn’t realise was that by reading a total of 23 books in one month, and collecting more than $2000 in donations, she was the sixth highest fundraiser in the state and ranked 35th in the country.

“Holy Dooley!” Bindi exclaimed when she was presented with rewards for her achievements at Australia zoo yesterday.

She said raising money for people with MS was “one of the most rewarding things we can do”.

Bindi’s favourite book was the “My Magic Pony” series.

The 2007 MS Readathon has raised $4.3 million.

Organisers called on children to submit donations before the end of the year.

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Pint size Wildlife Warrior, Bindi Irwin along with her all singing, all dancing team of Crocmen set the Crocoseum into a dancing frenzy during the September holidays!

They donned their famous yellow t-shirts, slapped on a smile and sung their very catchy tunes for thousands of kids and parents alike.

Bindi and the Crocmen performed live from Wednesday, October 3 until Sunday, October 7 and the Crocmen even signed autographs and posed for pics with their eager fans. The team will be back on Steve Irwin Day on November 15, which will be a day for celebrating the extraordinary life of the one and only Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin.

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BINDI Irwin has been voted the most popular Australian of the past year by her peers - not actors, singers, TV presenters or even wildlife workers, but other kids.

The country's most famous nine-year-old was presented the top award for fave Aussie at last night's Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards, the ceremony famed for the green goo often dumped on celebrities who brave the stage.

Bindi has become a worldwide icon with her Kid Fitness DVD, Bindi The Jungle Girl TV show, her role as an official Australian tourism ambassador and appearances on leading US talk shows after the sudden death of her father Steve Irwin last year.

She also took out another of the night's most significant awards, Biggest Greenie, for carrying on the conservation and animal welfare work of her famous dad with help from her mother Terri Irwin.

While kids lined the orange carpet outside the Sydney Entertainment Centre from this morning, Bindi completed her rehearsals before leaving the complex with her mother and manager and family friend John Stainton, bound for an educational trip to the Sydney Museum.

The orange carpet was packed with celebrities, including award winners and the night's co-hosts, High School Musical star Zac Efron and bubblegum rock group The Veronicas.

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Australia Zoo's Terri Irwin honours the partnership deal Steve Irwin made with Capilano Premium Honey. Photo: Renae Dyer

A partnership with honey producer Capilano negotiated by Steve Irwin in the days before his death has been honoured by his widow, Terri.

The partnership, announce at Australia Zoo yesterday, will result in a portion of profits from the sale of each 500g Capilano premium honey product sold go directly into supporting Australia Zoo’s wildlife conservation programs.

A zoo spokeswoman was unclear yesterday on exactly how much from each sale would go towards programs such as endangered and priority species breeding, field study, habitat acquisition and animal rescue.

She was also unsure whether there was an overall target.

"All we know is that all money raised from the sale of the package will go into wildlife conservation," she said.

In a brief ceremony before a large crowd at the zoo’s Crocoseum, Terri Irwin said she was excited to carry on the partnership, which Steve had agreed to a little more than one year ago.

"Bees need trees to make honey, and the more trees we cut down the less likely we are to have these natural honey products," she said.

"We look forward to fulfilling this special partnership and ensuring our kids can enjoy this natural product."

The Australian-made product will feature the Irwin family on its recyclable packaging, with a commitment to raising money for conservation.

Terri said Steve and the family were big fans of Capilano Honey and its many uses and she encouraged the community to use endorse the product.

"I love warm honey on yoghurt for breakfast," she said.

"Steve always said it was good to cook with.

"At least that’s what Steve told me – I was the eater, not the cooker.

"I’m sure Steve would say, ‘honey rules’."

The managing director of Capilano Honey, Roger Masters, said the joint venture would increase the opportunity to focus on the future of bees and the honey they produced.

"Steve’s unquestionable commitment to the environment and conservation is in harmony with our stance on ensuring there are sufficient trees and flowers to support bees % making our honey in Australia," he said.

The company appreciated the opportunity to share the Crocodile Hunter’s vision and give back to the environment.

The products will be available in stores later this month.

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Australia Zoo’s Terri Irwin has a list of achievements under her belt, from successful business woman, to mother of two to tourism ambassador. And now she has also been awarded the 2007 Telstra Queensland Business Woman of the Year! Wooo-hoo!

Terri was up against some of Queensland’s most successful and inspirational business women, but yesterday her savvy business sense and enthusiastic persona saw her take home the prestigious Telstra gong!

Terri also won the Business Owner Award category that is for owners with a 50 per cent or more share in a business, with a responsibility for key management decision making.

It recognizes and celebrates the dedication and commitment of women in business in Queensland and throughout Australia. In 1995, theAustralia’s business sector. Telstra Queensland Business Women’s Awards were introduced and since then hundreds of women have been acknowledged for their invaluable contribution in

Terri will go on to the national awards that will be held in November. What a little ripper!

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Bindi and Terri Irwin join to launch Whale One - fulfilling a dream of Steve Irwin.

Terri Irwin is no stranger to the limelight.

But it is rare for it to shine just on her.

Yesterday was no different, for when the mum-of-two and Australia Zoo director accepted the Telstra Business Woman of the Year award she made her team share the stage with her.

“I have to tell you that the people I am sharing the stage with are just awesome; everyone is terrific,” she said during her acceptance speech.

“I said you have to come up with me because I can’t thank you all or I’ll cry.”

Dressed in what she jokingly called “sparkly khaki”, Terri didn’t cry, but she did tell waiting media that it was her late husband’s belief in her which had gotten her through the rough times.

“I still have that kind of cheeky competitiveness with Steve and I was really lucky as a kid because my dad always believed I could do anything that I wanted,” she said.

“And then Steve believed I could do things that I never thought I could, so now I’m continuing with that.

”And when times are hard and I’m feeling particularly down, I fall back on that competitive nature and I have that feeling that I’m going to show him, I’m going to make him proud.’’

She said the key to successful business was learning to prioritise.

‘’It’s amazing that once you put family first and give back to the community and work on things that you truly believe in, everything really does fall into place.”

Terri also won the Yellow Business Owner award at the yesterday’s luncheon ceremony and, in accepting it, she admitted that it could be hard to keep the enthusiasm for business going.

“Business is like marriage,” she said.

“When you first get into it, you are very enthusiastic, very passionate and excited. And then over the years, things do change and it can take some effort to keep that passion and enthusiasm.

“So I would encourage everyone here to remember why you first started in business and to continue to keep working towards change.”

Terri Irwin will now represent Queensland in the national Telstra Business Woman of the Year awards, which will be announced on November 10.

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THREE crocodiles relocated from their homes in far north Queensland have been tracked swimming between 10km and 30km a day back to their capture sites.

One of the crocodiles swam around the northern tip of Australia to reach home, covering more than 400km in 20 days, the study by the University of Queensland, Australia Zoo and Queensland parks and wildlife service found.

Professor Craig Franklin, from UQ's school of integrative Biology, said the data showed that estuarine crocodiles were "oceanic animals" which could move phenomenal distances over a prolonged period.

"We often thought crocodiles tried very quickly, but here we show very clearly that they are capable of moving long distances for days on end," Prof Franklin said.

The results are part of a satellite tracking study of wiled crocodiles that was led by Dr Mark Read, Prof Franklin and the late Steve Irwin.

All three monitored crocodiles were moved by helicopter between 52km and 130km away, but still found their way home. One crocodile flown across Cape York Peninsula from the west to east coast circumnavigated the peninsula to return home.

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AUSTRALIA Zoo director Terri Irwin is one of two Sunshine Coast women named as finalists in the 2007 Telstra Queensland Business Women's Awards.

Our other contender is Tory Richards, a director of Reed Funds Management Ltd, part of the Reed Property Group.

In all, 20 finalists will contest the awards, with the winners named in October.

Terri helped her late husband Steve oversee the growth of the zoo from a provincial roadside reptile house tourist attraction with 30 employees and less than 200,000 visitors a year in 1997, to one of Australia's premier international tourism destinations welcoming more than one million tourists per annum, hosted by 550 staff. She also played a key role in establishing Wildlife Warriors Worldwide, which supports conservation projects globally and which she continues to support as patron and advisor.

Ms Richards was previously an independent consultant before joining Reed.

She approached the company with her business idea of sharing Reed's commercial property investment opportunities with stakeholders, establishing Reed Funds Management and Reed Property Trust in 2003.

The trusts now manage more than $100 million in client funds.

Ms Richards leads a team of 10, is a member of Reed's board, and is vice-president of the Sunshine Coast Business Council.

The awards were introduced in 1995 to celebrate the dedication and commitment of women in business across Queensland and around the country.

The winners will be announced at an award presentation on Tuesday, October 2.

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February 22 was the day Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin was born.

September 4 was the day he died.

But November 15 will be the date he is remembered around the world.

The Veronicas were at Australia Zoo yesterday to rustle up support for Steve Irwin Day, which will be used as a fundraiser for one of Steve’s greatest passions- Wildlife Warriors Worldwide.

Australia Zoo is campaigning for workplaces and schools around the world to have their own Khaki Day, where individuals each donate $2.

The Veronicas, Jess and Lisa Origliasso said the charity’s conservation message resonated with their young fans.

“Steve Irwin was an inspiration to them, as he was to us.

“These activities are a fun way for everyone to get involved in conservation and to help keep Steve’s dream alive through the work of Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors Worldwide,” they said.

Log on to www.steveirwinday.org.

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"Here at the Steve Irwin Australia Zoo, we’re doing our bit to protect one of the world’s most endangered species. The Irwin.

“Did you know that Irwins are dying at an average rate of one a year? And that many of their young are put at risk and taken out of their natural habitat and exploited?”

With those words you could almost hear the gasps echo across the Sunshine Coast on Wednesday night.

The Chaser had targeted one of our own.

But did they go too far?

Bindi Irwin’s manager, John Stainton isn’t sure, mostly since he was not one of the 2.24 million people who tuned in to watch the controversial ABC program.

“I didn’t see it, so I can’t comment,” he said.

“So it would be silly to comment on something I didn’t see.”

The program’s executive producer Julian Morrow was quick to defend the program’s decision to zone in on Bindi Irwin.

“The Chaser are equal opportunity offenders,” he said.

“The sketch is a satirical comment on the media frenzy about Bindi, which the Irwin family business has obviously courted.

“We think it’s fair enough for them to be a target of the show and stand by the sketch, but understand that The Chaser’s take on things is not quite for everyone.”

The Chaser pulled its biggest audience ever on Wednesday night, partly to a highly-publicised stunt at the APEC summit in Sydney.

Last week the crew was able to infiltrate security at the summit with a fake motorcade and one of the cast dressed as Osama Bin Laden.

Eleven crew were charged with entering a restricted area and will appear in court next month.

In light of the events of the last week, Julian could not resist having one last dig.

“We also hope the border security at the Irwin Zoo is better than at APEC.”

The Chaser send-up finishes with a plug for Save the Irwin website, which redirects to Family First in New South Wales.

Check out the video

http://www.thedaily.com.au/news/2007/sep/13/bindi-irwin-endangered-specie/

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Wildlife campaigner Steve Irwin was arguably Queensland's greatest cultural ambassador to the US, says Premier Peter Beattie.

He was paying tribute to the late Crocodile Hunter in state parliament on the first anniversary of his death.

A year ago the world-famous conservationist was fatally speared in the chest by a stingray barb, while filming a documentary off far-north Queensland.

Mr Beattie said the government had recognised Irwin's contribution to the state in a number of ways since his death.

It named the main road through Beerwah, the site of the Irwins' Australia Zoo, Steve Irwin Way.

The government also named a tourism award in his honour - the Steve Irwin Ecotourism Award, now part of the annual Queensland Tourism Awards.

Mr Beattie said Irwin had great commitment and passion.

"The spirit of Steve Irwin lives on in many ways," he said.

"I again pay tribute to his energy, joy and commitment to conservation and wildlife, and acknowledge all those who continue his work today."

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THE first anniversary of Steve Irwin's death was a time of reflection tinged with sadness yesterday, but Steve Irwin Day in November will be one of celebration and conservation.

Twelve months after the death of the Crocodile Hunter, thousands of people across the globe stopped to remember the lovable larrikin Aussie yesterday.

Many found it hard to believe that a year had gone by since that tragic accident in Far North Queensland when Steve Irwin was fatally struck by a stingray barb while filming a documentary.

As people gathered at Australia Zoo, the common thread from comments about Steve was that he was a great ambassador for Australia and people genuinely believed he had made a difference to the world through his messages of conservation.

That’s why on November 15, Australia Zoo and the Irwin family will have a day dedicated to Steve’s great passions in life: family and wildlife.

People are encouraged to don khaki clothes, camp out in the backyard, and raise funds for Wildlife Warriors as part of the celebrations.

The Zoo is also planning activities and tributes to Steve that day to ensure his legacy continues.

As always, conservation, education and fun will be the themes.

Youngsters will be encouraged to learn about reptiles like crocodiles and snakes, so they respect and care for the animals instead of fear them.

For details about Steve Irwin Day, visit www.australiazoo.com.au.

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“The music, as well as with the Wiggles, really gets them in and Bindi is a bit of a role model – she’s an older girl, she’s got pretty long hair and she dances, and I think that’s why Keira connects with her.”

She said the fact that Bindi Irwin promoted conservation and wildlife also made her a good role model for Keira as she grew up.

“She’s a kind person and she promotes caring for animals, which translates to caring for people, so I think they’re good traits for a role model to have,” she said.

But, she said, sometimes it was hard trying to explain to a three-year-old that Bindi Irwin was a famous child and not someone she could have a play-date with or go to school with.

“I think she will grow out of it and be able to distinguish between seeing Bindi on the television and meeting her in person,” she said.

“But for now I’m just happy for her to be entertained and if she wants some of the merchandise for her birthday or something then I think that’s okay because at least it’s something she likes and will get good use out of.”

Sunshine Coast child psychologist Linda Holland said there was a lot of research to support the theory that children’s preferences were influenced by advertising.

“Young children in most cases do not have the ability to distinguish between a regular TV program and an advertisement,” she said.

“I can remember the words to the Mortein ad ‘Louie the fly’. I loved it and all of us sang it and could still sing it many years later.

“Did it make me buy Mortein as an adult? No – it was entertaining. That is so important for children. They like to be entertained.”

She said children learnt by examples provided to them by parents and adults, including celebrities.

“The excessive amount of media attention that personalities such as The Wiggles and Bindi Irwin receive reinforces in children that this person or group is to be looked up to,” she said.

She said parents, family members and siblings could also contribute to this adoration by buying Christmas and birthday presents associated with the celebrity.

The best thing to do, she said, was to offer children variety and diversity. But there was nothing wrong with children having good role models.

“Personally, I feel that role models can be very healthy – the appropriate role model.

“For example, as a child I was an avid watcher of The Mouseketeers. I might have wanted to be like Doreen but I had a good idea that I might not be able to. I did try to dance like her, and sing like her and wore my mouse ears faithfully.

“Did it harm me? I doubt it. She was a good role model – they talked about morals, about being kind, about being responsible, fair and nice.

“So if a role model exhibits good modelling behaviours, then as parents we can most likely feel comfortable about our children having these ideas.”

And, she said, the most important thing to remember was the fact that children grew up and learnt to become discerning consumers and adults themselves.

So now we just have to wait and see what the next generation of Bindi Irwins and Wiggles will have in store.

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Bindi Irwin is seen as a positive role model by parents, and their kids are lining up to buy her clothes, footwear, accessories, music and DVDs.

Bindi Irwin has her own zoo, a successful television career and she has just launched an international fashion label.

So is it any wonder kids across the globe are lining up to buy her merchandise?

Like her predecessors The Wiggles and Hi-5, Bindi has cracked the lucrative children’s entertainment industry and her clothes, footwear, accessories, music, DVDs, magazine covers and posters are selling millions of copies every year.

What is it that makes a nine-year-old girl, a bunch of skivvy-wearing, middle-aged men and a group of 20-something singers so popular with kiddies and pre-teens?

Sunshine Coast University marketing associate professor Dr Debra Harker said the best marketing strategies aligned celebrities to their target market and, in cases such as Bindi Irwin, The Wiggles and Hi-5, the match had proven extremely successful.

“Celebrity endorsement is chosen very carefully by marketers so Bindi Irwin, in particular, not only attracts younger generations but, because she is in their own age group, they can directly relate to her,” she said.

“For the Wiggles and Hi-5, they’re able to communicate on a child’s level and children also associate fun, colour, music and a healthy lifestyle to these celebrities.”

She said merchandising was also a big part of marketing and groups like the Wiggles and Hi-5, and individuals such as Bindi Irwin, broke away from just regular entertainers to mass exports when they released associated merchandise such as DVDs, clothing, accessories and toys.

Bindi Irwin was also able to capitalise on her family’s fame and follow on from her dad Steve’s work on television, creating her own shows with him, including a kid fitness DVD, wildlife shows and a cooking series.

“The age group for the Wiggles, for instance, are naive consumers. They can’t make the distinction between being sold to and wanting something ... so they’re an easy target,” Dr Harker said.

“But their parents are experienced consumers and, if they believe in the product, that it’s having a positive influence on their child, what’s the harm?

“The Wiggles, Hi-5 and Bindi Irwin all promote positive things – a healthy lifestyle, keeping active, conservation and protecting animals.

“Children are not being exploited through these products. Marketing is often given a bad rap for targeting children but, in these instances, it actually has a positive effect.”

Dr Harker said once a child reached about eight or nine years of age, they became more critical consumers.

“When kids get to a certain age they start to differentiate between being sold to and acquiring something they like,” she said.

“Parents need to decide which celebrity endorsements they’re comfortable with. Good parents will make good decisions. If they succumb to pester power, they need to address that.

“But if they’re buying something that makes their child happy, and they feel good about doing it, then it’s not a bad thing at all.”

Mooloolaba mum Jo Wilkinson said she was happy to buy her daughter Keira Straughen, 3, celebrity-endorsed merchandise as long as it was promoted by good role models.

She said Keira had just started to develop an interest in Bindi Irwin and had grown up with the Wiggles, which she saw as a healthy outlet for Keira’s entertainment needs.

“It’s good that they advocate healthy eating and exercise, but if it was the other way around (and they endorsed junk food) I would have to think twice about buying the merchandise,” she said.

She said it was a mystery to her what attracted children to celebrities.

“I’m struggling a bit to comprehend why she loves Bindi, because she’s just three and there’s such an age difference, but she loves the music and dancing that Bindi does,” she said.

Part 2 to follow

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