I found this today. It was a tribute read by Steves daughter Bindi at his memorial service.
Fond farewell to a 'true natural'By staff writers
September 20, 2006 10:40am
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BINDI Irwin has taken centre-stage at Steve Irwin's memorial service, calling the Crocodile Hunter "the best daddy in the world".
Thousands of fans cheered the eight-year-old's appearance at the family's Australia Zoo today as Bindi's mother Terri and brother Bob, two, looked on.
"My daddy was my hero - he was always there for me when I needed him," she said, reading from a piece of paper.
"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."
She said her father built a hospital and bought land to give animals a safe place to live and she wanted to continue his legacy.
"I don't want Daddy's passion to ever end," she said.
"I want to help endangered wildlife just like he did."
Bindi said she would miss her father.
"I have the best Daddy in the whole world and I will miss him every day," she said.
"When I see a crocodile I will always think of him and I know that Daddy made this zoo so everyone could come and learn to love all the animals.
"Daddy made this place his whole life and now it's our turn to help Daddy."
Earlier Steve's father Bob said: "On behalf of Terri, Bindi and Bob, and my two girls Mandy and Joy, I would like to thank all of you for your kind thoughts, letters, flowers and sympathy.
"Please don't grieve for Steve, he's at peace now. But I would like you to grieve for the animals. The animals have lost the best friend they had, and so have I."
Irwin died on September 4 when a stingray barb struck him in the chest as he was filming off Queensland.
His death at 44 sparked a huge outpouring of grief and today celebrities and dignitaries, including Prime Minister John Howard, lined up to pay their own tributes at a service beamed live to millions of fans across Australia and around the world.
Russell Crowe appeared on a TV screen to deliver his own message to "my friend Steve".
"I know, as humble as you are, you would still be pleased that the world sends its love," he said.
Mr Howard said: "We are here to celebrate the life of a remarkable man and a remarkable Australian.
"Steve Irwin touched the hearts of Australians and touched the hearts of millions around the world in a very special way."
He said he had the quality of being genuine and authentic and had a great zest for life.
"As we share this celebration and honour this life can I say to Terri and the rest of your family, there are 20 million pairs of Australian arms reaching out to you today."
Australian music star John Williamson sang True Blue, the Crocodile Hunter's favourite song, earning a standing ovation from the crowd.
There were also tributes from Anthony Field of The Wiggles, actor Hugh Jackman, singer Justin Timberlake, Environment Minister Ian Campbell and actress Cameron Diaz, as Terri watched with son Bob on her knee and Bindi by her side.
Diaz said: "People were just taken by him, they were just inspired and in awe of his energy and how he actually went about putting himself forward and what he represented.
"Every kid was in love with the idea of being able to be him."
US TV host Larry King said he had interviewed Irwin, who was a big star in America, to impress his own children.
"To Steve's wife Terri, my sincere condolences, to his kids - Bindi, Bob - your dad was a great man."
Australian actor David Wenham paid his tribute by reading a poem by Rupert McCall.
"My daughter broke the news to me - my six year-old in tears.
"It was like she'd just turned old enough to show her honest fears.
"I tried to make some sense of it but whilst her Dad was trying
"His little explained it best...she said: 'The Crocodiles are crying'.
"Their best mate's up in heaven now - the crocs up there are smiling!"
Wes Mannion, the director of Australia Zoo, broke down in tears as he tried to honour his mate.
"His love and passion for wildlife was so enveloping that at the time I found it hard to breathe," he said.
"Over time, we continued to grow closer and closer and shared so many exciting times."
He said Irwin was a great dad: "His love and dedication has been inspiring. He was a true natural.
"To the world he was a hero. To me he was my hero. He saved my life. I'll miss you mate."
The numerous tributes were mixed with footage of Irwin in his element, working with animals and teaching his fans about some of the world's most dangerous creatures.
Best friend and business manager John Stainton also introduced out-takes from Steve's shows.
The crowd was shown footage of Irwin falling out of boats, getting bitten by crocodiles and lizards, messing up his lines and being chased by cassowaries.
Animal researcher Professor Craig Franklin revealed the University of Queensland was about to make Irwin an adjunct professor for his work in studying crocodiles when he died.
"While not formally trained as a scientist he had all the qualities of a great scientist," he said.
"He was driven by curiosity and he had an endless list of questions that he sought answers to."
Towards the end of the service, men dressed in khaki laid out yellow flowers to spell out Steve's catchphrase "Crikey".
A single, empty seat was left in the zoo's Crocoseum in memory of the much-loved environmentalist and TV star.
It was marked with the wildlife warrior's favourite Australia Zoo cap.
At a press conference following the service, Bob Irwin said his son had remained an "ordinary bloke" even when his fame and influence grew.
"I'm probably one of the most fortunate fathers in the wold to have been able to spend 44 years (with Steve) ... he was just an ordinary Aussie bloke. "
He also spoke of his fears for his grandchildren.
"The way I feel about it is, I think it is going to be harder for Bindi and Bob to grow up with a father as famous as he was. There are going to be hurdles in their path."
But Mr Irwin said Terri Irwin was such a good mother, she would guide them through any difficulties.
"I think the fact that Bindi has been very, very strong throughout, it has encouraged Terri to keep up as well.," he said.
"Little Robert keeps them level."
Mr Irwin said Terri was pleased with the event, which was organised by Mr Stainton and Australia Zoo staff.
"Terri was very pleased, firstly because that's where Steve would have wanted it to be held," he said.
"John had done such a great job putting it all together and the people involved obviously loved Steve.
"I think today has come to a peak and I think I will probably fall apart from here on in probably for some time to come," he said.
Mr Stainton said the family had not thought any further ahead than getting through today.
"I think we got to today like getting to the cliff, and then falling over it. "
When asked what his highlight of today's service had been, he said: "Just getting through it."
Mr Stainton said the documentary Irwin had been working on when he was killed had been completed just a few days ago.
I,ve sat here this morning, all the way over in the UK, crying my eyes out. I,ts just so damn sad. What a bloody good bloke he was.
