'I'll miss him every day'
Steve Irwin's widow, Terri, and son, Bob, watched daughter Bindi deliver her tribute to her dad.
Photo: TV Pool
Staff reporters
September 20, 2006 - 10:32AM
Steve Irwin's daughter Bindi has told of her love for "the best daddy in the world" at a memorial service for the Crocodile Hunter.
The crowd of 5000 mourners inside the Crocoseum at Irwin's Australia Zoo in
Beerwah, Queensland, greeted Bindi, 8, with a standing ovation as she read her own tribute.
The service was viewed by an estimated 300 million fans worldwide.
A large crowd also gathered outside the zoo.'My daddy was my hero'
"My daddy was my hero - he was always there for me when I needed him,'' Bindi said, remaining upbeat and composed.
"He listened to me and taught me so many things but most of all he was fun."
"I know that Daddy had an important job. He was working to change the world so everyone would love wildlife like he did.''
"I don't want Daddy's passion to ever end,'' she said.
'Best Daddy in the world'
"I want to help endangered wildlife just like he did.''
"I have the best Daddy in the whole world and I will miss him every day,'' she said.
Mr Irwin's father Bob choked back tears as he briefly thanked well-wishers for their letters and gifts on behalf of the family.
"Please don't grieve for Steve - he's at peace now,'' he said.
"But I would like you to grieve for the animals - the animals have lost the best friend they ever had, and so have I.
"I was fortunate to just recently spend three or four weeks with Steve on crocodile research and he was the best he'd been for many years and I'll certainly treasure that.''
'My hand, my heart Steven'
In an emotional final video tribute, actor Russell Crowe said: "Thank you deeply for every moment and every minute of your company. "My hand, my heart Steven ...''
The memorial ended with Mr Irwin's truck being packed with his surfboard, bedroll and equipment and driven away by Australia Zoo head crocodile keeper Brian Coulter.
As the truck drove away slowly, John Williamson again sang True Blue.
"True blue, is it me and you... is it Steve Irwin too?''
Earlier, Williamson and a khaki-clad choir lead a singalong of Home Among the Gum Trees from the back of a ute.
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