The Auswine Forum

Just got an email notifying me of the loss of one of our most famous exports, the Crocodile Hunter:

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&q=Irwin

I know the guy was a bit of an idiot and probably had an accident like this coming, but somehow I thought it just may not happen.

He was (in a way) a real ambassador/advertisment for our country overseas, and I wonder if it will have any possible impact on the wine export industry?

By the way, are there any Stingray "critter labels" out there?

Cheers,
Ian

This may be tacky - but all I can say is Crikey

damn, he was more entertaining than most wine critcs

I think it is easy to forget the person in this. It is not a 'celebrity' that died, but a human being. I mourn the loss of a fellow human being, too early at 44.

Also a loving husband and father. One of Australias most animated and individual characters will be missed. He probably did more for the conservation of this great land than almost any other individual.

R.I.P Steve Urwin

n4sir wrote:By the way, are there any Stingray "critter labels" out there?

Cheers,
Ian

Possibly won't be long before they appear in the USA?

Steve was a larger than life individual and the cause of his death can only add to the charisma he developed in his lifetime. I wonder how Denton will market his interview of "The Crocodile Hunter" that was replayed tonight. The USA, if it's not been broadcast there yet, would be bound to love it. A real bloke, committed absolutely to his family and conservation, his is a sad loss.

But I can't help but wonder whether he deliberately aggravated, for the camera/s, the stingray that spiked his heart and those of many others who admired his personality and zest for life. The images of that are unlikely to ever be broadcast.

We'll never see another like him.

daz

I used to think he was an idiot who just hammed it up for the cameras to make big bucks. But then I had kids.

We went to Australia Zoo last year and I've been watching Steve for the past 3-4 years.

He was a passionate and genuine man. Quite rare these days where artificial personalities rule the airwaves. I was honestly upset when I heard the news. A great loss. If you want to see the real Steve get the bloopers from the Wiggly Safari video where he appears with the Wiggles.

Yes, he went too far sometimes but his legacy will do a lot more for animals around the globe than half the idiot greenies around the place will ever do. (And I am a pro-conservationist)

Not that they'll ever read this but I send my best wishes to his family.

Daryl Douglas wrote:But I can't help but wonder whether he deliberately aggravated, for the camera/s, the stingray that spiked his heart and those of many others who admired his personality and zest for life. The images of that are unlikely to ever be broadcast.

I doubt that Steve Irwin would aggravate a stingray and he would have known the possible ramifications. However, as it has been reported that he was only swimming a few metres above the stingray when it attacked, if the stingray thought that Steve Irwin was bigger than the itself, which might occur as one puts their arms out to swim/stroke, the stingray may have thought he was vulnerable and attacked. Either way, the police have the video and I am confident that the true story will come out, which I expect to be similar to my hypothesis.

Funnily enough, I am actually quite saddened by his death. I will watch my Wiggly Safari DVD with Vienna and Gordon in a different light the next time that Vienna asks for it.

Kind regards,
Adair

I'm with you Adair.

I just hope the video never becomes available for the masses to gawk at.

Ratcatcher wrote:He was a passionate and genuine man. Quite rare these days where artificial personalities rule the airwaves. I was honestly upset when I heard the news. A great loss. If you want to see the real Steve get the bloopers from the Wiggly Safari video where he appears with the Wiggles.

That DVD gets a massive work out at my place. My 4yo is a bit over it but my 2yo watches it religiously and her baby sister will also enjoy it one day. The kids all love 'Crocodile Steve' and were a bit confused and sad yesterday. RIP

Vale Crocodile Hunter....

Ratcatcher wrote:I just hope the video never becomes available for the masses to gawk at.

In an age of everyone revealing all their secrets, this is what concerns me the most. I really don't think anyone needs to see anything so horrible.

I think we've lost a great character who has given more to Oz than he ever received.

Ratcatcher wrote:
I just hope the video never becomes available for the masses to gawk at.

We are the masses, Ratcatcher. But I agree, vicarious death tapes we can do without.

Adair wrote:

Daryl Douglas wrote:But I can't help but wonder whether he deliberately aggravated, for the camera/s, the stingray that spiked his heart and those of many others who admired his personality and zest for life. The images of that are unlikely to ever be broadcast.

I doubt that Steve Irwin would aggravate a stingray and he would have known the possible ramifications. However, as it has been reported that he was only swimming a few metres above the stingray when it attacked, if the stingray thought that Steve Irwin was bigger than the itself, which might occur as one puts their arms out to swim/stroke, the stingray may have thought he was vulnerable and attacked. Either way, the police have the video and I am confident that the true story will come out, which I expect to be similar to my hypothesis.

Funnily enough, I am actually quite saddened by his death. I will watch my Wiggly Safari DVD with Vienna and Gordon in a different light the next time that Vienna asks for it.

Kind regards,
Adair

You are right, as confirmed by the Qld Police. It seems it was sheer, shiteful, bad luck that the stingray reacted as it did and Steve was just where he was when it did. Even Ron Taylor, probably the most experienced diver in the world or at least on the GBR thinks so, the 5th recorded death in Aust from a stingray stike, I've heard.

Yes, it is so sad to see a person in the prime of life, successful and loving life as he did, die so tragically.

daz

Anyone watch Denton's "Enough Rope" last night? Replays of interviews of S Irwin and D Chipp, two almost iconic Australians who left our lives recently. Both genuine, enthusiastic and admirable in their own ways.

Very poignant.

daz