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The news has been very hard hitting around the Sunshine Coast here where Steve was not just an international legend but he was a Local, and around these parts that's almost more important.
Grant Kenny (the former surf champion, Ironman, etc, and another local legend) flew his private plane up to Cairns today to bring Steve's body back ... Grant flew back into Maroochydore airport earlier tonight. Steve's mortal remains will spend tonight at a funeral home about a kilometre from where I sit and type this now.
Apparently while most people are shocked and saddened there have been a few cases of individuals displaying very poor taste - the worst I have heard so far is that something was written in the guest book at Australia Zoo regarding Steve's passing that was so shocking the entire page had to be removed from the book.
I learned tonight before leaving work that off duty security personnel have been pulled on duty and placed on static duty at the funeral home tonight to make sure that the "peace is maintained".
Love him or hate him, he was a special character who reached millions of people, and who spared no effort, no cost, & no danger to do the things he felt he needed to do. He championed our natural environment and the creatures inhabiting it like few others ever have.
I can't imagine how Terri, Bindi, and Bob must feel, I think we all feel so much for their loss now. Perhaps it's fortunate that little Bob is so young he won't comprehend events the same way. He also won't get to know his Dad face to face as a boy should, but at least he'll have endless hours of footage of his Dad to watch in years to come. At least he can get to know Steve in the same way that we all came to know him.
It's been said that the flame that burns twice as bright, only burns half as long...... Steve's flame burned very, very bright indeed ..... a supernova among a galaxy of us normal stars perhaps?
Rest in Peace Steve ... your good work and legacy will continue, but you will be sorely missed by millions.
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