I really hope that Bindi isn't being pushed too fast or too hard .... she seemed just a little bit
too composed for an 8 year old girl who has just lost her idol/father in such a tragic way. She needs time to process this all, and time to BE an 8 year old. But she did a very very fine job of standing in front of thousands and reading her tribute.
I had a day off today and actually watched the ceremony twice .. once on the nationwide 4 channel spread at 9am (and I'm not ashamed to say I shed a couple of tears), and again on 10's 5pm coverage (again, tears) .. then both chanels 7 and 9 devoted the first 12 minutes of their regular 30 minute news broadcast to it ...... I watched the lot.
After John Howard, Kim Beazely (only 1 seat separated them) and Peter Beattie (Qld Premier) the list of other famous "unofficial" visitors was impressive .... Costa Tzu (the boxer), Mal Meninga and Alfie Langer (both Qld State of Origin Rugby League legends of many years for our deep southern & western, ie League Challenged, counterparts
), Laurie Lawrence (Olympic, etc, swim coach) who was weeping openly on the way out and made a beautiful comment about Steve, which I'll post if I can get the wording right. There were plenty of others too, most remained fairly invisible to the cameras.
Another person on the way out of the Crocoseum said: It takes a special person to leave giant footprints on the world (or words very near to that).
Touching stuff, all of it. They've made it clear (via Wes Mannions statement afterward the ceremonies) that Australia Zoo WILL continue - and Steve's huge grinning face is not going away, or coming down off any of those larger than life signs any time soon.
My best wishes to Terri, Bindi & little Bob, Steve's father Big Bob, Steve's sister (feel terrible that I forget her name now) .... and to Steve's mates and associates Wes and John Stainton, and all the staff at the zoo.
They all have some very big boots and khaki shirts to fill .. I wish them all well.