‘Crikey means gee whiz, wow!’ – 10 typically Stevie quotes to celebrate the late Crocodile Hunter’s birthday
Steve Irwin would have turned 56 today, and in honour of the legendary crocodile hunter here are 10 quotes that typify what he was all about.
Steve Irwin became known around the world for his at times outrageous encounters with animals, crocodiles in particular.
He became known as the Crocodile Hunter after the first episode of his series which went by the same name aired in Australia in 1996.
The first episode featured footage from Irwin and his wife, Terri Raines Irwin’s honeymoon, which they spent trapping crocodiles.
Irwin would go on to feature in several media campaigns promoting the conservation of wildlife, all while maintaining the image of just being a normal guy.
Irwin was a down-to-earth person who just just wanted nature to get its fair shake in a world where humans were taking over every inch of land they could find (and still are).
Terri and Steve would go on to have two children, Bindi Sue and Robert Clarence, who have both followed in their father’s footsteps in their own special ways.
Irwin died tragically on 4 September 2006 when he was stung in the heart by a stingray in shallow waters at Batt Reef, Queensland, Australia.
He was due to film footage for his show Ocean’s Deadliest, but filming was halted on the day due to weather.
Irwin decided to go swimming in shallow waters to produce footage for his daughter’s show.
It was here where he encountered a stingray from behind with the hope of filming the creature swimming away, but according to the incident’s only witness, cameraman Justin Lyons, the stingray started attacking.
“All of a sudden the stingray propped on its front and started stabbing wildly with its tail. Hundreds of strikes in a few seconds,” Lyons said.
It was initially thought the stingray’s barb had only punctured Irwin’s lung, but they soon realised that it had pierced his heart as well, causing him to bleed to death.
The stingray’s behaviour appeared to have been a defensive response to being boxed in.
Following the investigation into Irwin’s death where Queensland courts had to review the footage of the incident, all copies of the footage were destroyed, by order of the family.
Despite being offered a state funeral for Irwin, his family decided this would not be appropriate as – in the words of his father – he would have preferred to be remembered as an “ordinary bloke”.
In honour of a life lived not for himself, but rather for the people and animals around him, let’s take a look back at a few quotes that typify what Stevie was all about:
1. “I have no fear of losing my life – if I have to save a koala or a crocodile or a kangaroo or a snake, mate, I will save it.”
2. “Since I was a boy, from this house, I was out rescuing crocodiles and snakes. My mum and dad were very passionate about that, and I was lucky enough to go along.”
3. “I’m a proud Australian, a very, very proud Australian.”
4. “When I talk to the camera, mate, it’s not like I’m talking to the camera, I’m talking to you, because I want to whip you around and plunk you right there with me.”
5. “I sincerely believe that there’s room for cutting down trees for forestry and grazing, so as we all get to eat. Everyone has to compromise.”
6. “I believe that education is all about being excited about something. Seeing passion and enthusiasm helps push an educational message.”
7. “Yeah, I’m a thrill seeker, but crikey, education’s the most important thing.”
8. “I believe sustainable use is the greatest propaganda in wildlife conservation at the moment.”
9. “Where I live, if someone gives you a hug it’s from the heart.”
10. “Crikey means gee whiz, wow!”
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