the Aussie media has gone into overdrive. As soon as Steve's tragic death was announced, all major Australian media websites were literally flooded and had to be closed down due to the congestion. All tv networks are putting out tributes to Irwin and so are the radio stations.
I have got nothing against Steve Irwin, but does he really warrant a state funeral in Australia?
When 'cult-broadcaster' Richard Whiteley passed away, nobody suggested a state-funeral. They had a beautiful and dignified memorial service at York Minster.
IMHO I think state funerals should be reserved for the higher echelons of royalty, serving heads of state or the likes of Winston Churchill. I know that might sound harsh, but they do seems to have gone OTT in Oz from what I have heard (I have a great-aunt who lives in Victoria)
Doesn't surprise me that a state funeral is being considered. With all due respect to Richard Whiteley - this is about a man who was a one man tourist industry attracting thousands of visitors to Aus and his zoo from around the world and bringing millions of dollars into the country, at the same time funding conservation projects worldwide out of his own pocket. He is quite a big deal down under for those reasons -as an ambassador for tourism and conservation for Australia and not just as a tv presenter.
Richard Whiteley didn't quite have the same effect here or contribute quite as much to our economy or profile of the UK in quite the same way.
Doesn't surprise me that a state funeral is being considered. With all due respect to Richard Whiteley - this is about a man who was a one man tourist industry attracting thousands of visitors to Aus and his zoo from around the world and bringing millions of dollars into the country, at the same time funding conservation projects worldwide out of his own pocket. He is quite a big deal down under for those reasons -as an ambassador for tourism and conservation for Australia and not just as a tv presenter.
Richard Whiteley didn't quite have the same effect here or contribute quite as much to our economy or profile of the UK in quite the same way.
That is all certainly true, he's done plenty for Australia... but is he in the same league as someone like Winston Churchill? It just seems strange. It would like in Ireland having a state funeral for Bob Geldof, it just doesn't seem right somehow.
Maybe I'm just under-estimating what a figure he is in Australia
There's a great artice on Media Guardian atm which describes how Australia is reacting. A majority of the population is pretty upset. Considering Oz has a population of just 20 million, I wouldn't say it was an overeaction for such a small population to be reacting in the way they are.
Australia don't have much in the way of National figures - except for Skippy - ( he's the bestest )
They don't have a royal family, they've adopted ours.
So apart from the ' Real ' crocodile dundee ( not Irwin, that other geezer), Nicole Kidman and Smiley Kylie all of whom are still alive and do alot for Ozzy tourism blah de blah!
So yeah i'm not surprised they're allegedly holding a state funeral.
Australia don't have much in the way of National figures - except for Skippy - ( he's the bestest )
They don't have a royal family, they've adopted ours.
So apart from the ' Real ' crocodile dundee ( not Irwin, that other geezer), Nicole Kidman and Smiley Kylie all of whom are still alive and do alot for Ozzy tourism blah de blah!
So yeah i'm not surprised they're allegedly holding a state funeral.
Slight exageration in that Australia have NOT adopted our Royal Family - that is a stigma dating back to when Australia was fully part of the British Empire. In fact Australia still has a Governor General (albeit with no or very limited powers) that reports back to the British Government/Queen about Australia's constitutional affairs!!!!
Wasn't it just over 10 years ago when the then Australian Prime Minister, Paul Keating, motioned that Royal Family should not be the figurehead for Australia - and if it was for all the UK ex-pats who live there do you think the Royal Family would still be the figurehead?
Australia don't have much in the way of National figures - except for Skippy - ( he's the bestest )
They don't have a royal family, they've adopted ours.
So apart from the ' Real ' crocodile dundee ( not Irwin, that other geezer), Nicole Kidman and Smiley Kylie all of whom are still alive and do alot for Ozzy tourism blah de blah!
So yeah i'm not surprised they're allegedly holding a state funeral.
Slight exageration in that Australia have NOT adopted our Royal Family - that is a stigma dating back to when Australia was fully part of the British Empire. In fact Australia still has a Governor General (albeit with no or very limited powers) that reports back to the British Government/Queen about Australia's constitutional affairs!!!!
Wasn't it just over 10 years ago when the then Australian Prime Minister, Paul Keating, motioned that Royal Family should not be the figurehead for Australia - and if it was for all the UK ex-pats who live there do you think the Royal Family would still be the figurehead?
You're a lively one arn't you!
You obviously didn't sense the tone of my post. I'm not suggesting that OFFICIALLY they have adopted our royal family, but in the hearts of Australians ( much of whom are British ex-pats or ancestors of British prisoners) they have adopted our Royal family.
It's like my blood link with Wales. I can't help but have have some loyalty to the country. I can't forget it, i bear that cross everyday
Australia don't have much in the way of National figures - except for Skippy - ( he's the bestest )
They don't have a royal family, they've adopted ours.
Australia don't have much in the way of National figures - except for Skippy - ( he's the bestest )
They don't have a royal family, they've adopted ours.
Australia don't have much in the way of National figures - except for Skippy - ( he's the bestest )
They don't have a royal family, they've adopted ours.
remind me, have they disowned Rolf yet?
Oh my goodness, how could i forget THE Rolf Harris.
