Crikey, Mate - a State Funeral?

I noticed today that Steve Irwin's father declined the offer of a state funeral from both the Prime Minister, John Howard, and the Queensland Premier, Peter Beattie. According to the Australian newspaper today his father said. "He's just an ordinary bloke and he wanted to be remembered as an ordinary bloke." The Prime Minister is from our more conservative party - called Liberals which is confusing for North Americans - and Peter Beattie is a member of the Labor Party. Howard isn't up for election just now but Beattie is currently in the midst of a campaign. I don't think that is why Beattie made the offer - Steve Irwin was a Queenslander and I think the offer would have been forthcoming in any case. The family declined both offers and chose a private funeral for family and friends. That's in character for ordinary Australians like the Irwins and certainly for Steve and who stuck to his working class language and ways.

While there was a strong humorous streak and a degree of exaggeration in the image Steve presented, it was real. If you compare him to Paul Hogan's character Crocodile Dundee you see that Hogan was sending up the image of the legendary Australian bush adventurer. It was all purposely over the top including the croc teeth on his hat. Irwin wore ordinary bush clothing and got wet and dirty doing things that served real educational and conservation purposes. Hogan is also a genuine working class Australian who got his start while working as a rigger and painter on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. But he was always a performer and comedian. Irwin was always the real deal.

Back To Top