‘Crocodile Hunter’ Steve Irwin Receives Posthumous Award As A ‘Queensland Great’, Family Honored


Steve Irwin received the prestigious honor of being awarded the title of a “Queensland Great.” The award was presented to Irwin’s wife, daughter, and son in the posthumous ceremony. This makes Irwin just one of only 75 people to be given the honorary title. The honor comes just weeks after the Irwin family expressed sadness and hurt over a family friend revealing private details of Steve Irwin’s death on public television. The family says that the friend and cameraman had promised never to disclose the private last words of Irwin or the details surrounding his death. However, that promise was broken on May 18 when the friend sat down with ABC’s Australian Story to provide the gory details.

According to the Daily Mail, Steve Irwin was honored with the title of a “Queensland Great” for his conservation efforts. The prestigious award is designed to honor Irwin’s lifetime achievements in nature conservation and the contributions he made to the development of the state. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk presented the award to Irwin’s family, which included Steve’s wife Terri, daughter Bindi, and son Robert.

The trio accepted the award on behalf of the deceased Steve Irwin, while Palaszczuk noted the great impact Steve had on Queensland.

“It was a great loss to our state and country when Steve unexpectedly passed away in 2006, so it is only deserving Steve is recognised for his exceptional impact on Queensland.”

The award came at a trying time for the Irwin family. The Irwins expressed great sadness over the release of private details surrounding Steve’s death. A family friend and cameraman for the late conservationist gave an interview to ABC’s Australian Story, which aired on May 18. In the interview, cameraman Justin Lyons gave new details about the crocodile hunter’s death, which included the dying man’s last words.

Bob Irwin, Steve’s father, says that the family is “sad” and “angry” over the release of such private details and noted that Lyons had promised at the time of Steve’s death not to reveal the intimate details of his passing.

“I personally felt very sad and to a degree angry about what Justin had to say. For a lot of people trying to get on with their lives without Steve — it wasn’t something that helped by any means.”

What do you think of the posthumous honoring of Steve Irwin?

[Image Credit: Getty Images / Handout]

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