Friday, Sep 08, 2006 at 09:24
Barnesy,
You've a right to an opinion, but in so many ways you are wrong.
Yeh, I thought Steve was a good bloke. (His father said he was just an "ordinary" bloke.)
We're all wrong!
He was an EXTRAordinary bloke. He is irreplaceable. He will be missed by so many including but not limited to the wildlife conservation movement, the tourism industry, and all employed there (and I don't mean just those who went to his zoo) , AQIS (or quarantine) etc etc..... not to mention Terri, Bob, and Bindy, his father and other family and friends too numerous to mention including 500+ staff. Then there's even the locals in Beerwah- he did nearly all of his purchasing of supplies locally as he believed in supporting locals, even if he could have saved a few dollars buying in the "big smoke".
Sure, some didn't like his antics, found his "Crikey" and so on embarrasing and some were also embarrased by his "put on" enthusiasm. (It was NOT put on. It was very, very genine. Ask anyone who knew him.He was like that 24/7) Some didn't like the way he "handled" animals.(He didn't ever hurt them though they often hurt him...) -It was all part of his style, and that is why he was so good at getting the message across. And of course many didn't like the way he had baby Bob in the arena with him. Get it all in perspective. He truly believed that was safe- he has after all been around crocs all his life. Yes I too believe that was a bit of a mistake but hell- we all make those!
BUT, anyway, suggest you do some research on him. The more I've done, the more I've seen about his life, the more I've spoken to a mate of
mine who knew him very
well, the more convinced I am that he was a very special, unique human being. A VERY special Australian. (Germaine Greer doesn't have a clue about the man- she just let's her perverted, anti- male bias rule her emotions- What's new! She's a pathetic and sad excuse for a human being, and she hates ALL males anyway.)
Steve lived and breathed for his two pet loves. Everything he did revolved around his family and wildlife conservation. Every cent he made was directed in one way or another torwards educating the public on our endangered wildlife, creating safe habitats for them,( He has bought huge tracts of land in many parts of the world to provide wildlife with safe havens), and helping in any way possible with injured animals etc.
Someone else (J) on another thread said he wasn't a Victor Chang, or a Fred Hollows.
(They did an immense amount for their fellow humans.)
I would go so far as to say he was every bit in their league or probably even better, except he was helping wildlife (instead of humans) which are so threatened by just about everything we humans do on this planet.
My great fear is that now much that he started will be threatened financially as most of the income will stop- I believe the great majority of funds was from his constant television work. That money will all but dry up, so all areas where his support was so essential will be in trouble. I for one will be donating to his foundation at the ANZ bank- we owe it to the wildlife on this planet.
Steve was an extraordinary, irreplaceable human being.
Anybody who doesn't believe that is simply ignorant of his achievements and should look again...
RIP Steve
The animals will miss you! I'll miss you.
Cheers all!
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