'Crocoseum' to host Irwin memorial service
Irwin's widow announces public memorial
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Wednesday, 13, Sep 2006 09:53
Steve Irwin's widow has announced that a public memorial service will be held next Wednesday in the Crocoseum that he built at the family-owned Australia Zoo in Queensland.
The hugely popular wildlife expert was killed earlier this month after he was struck in the heart by the barb of a stingray.
In her first statement since her husband's death, Terri Irwin said that the location, which can hold 5,500 people, was where Steve would have wanted a memorial to take place.
"I cannot see how a memorial service would work in any other place other than the Crocoseum, which he built here at the zoo and of which he was so proud," she said.
Free tickets for the memorial will be issued in advance, and those who are unable to attend will be able to watch the service on big screens set up in Brisbane and the nearby Sunshine Coast.
It will also be broadcast live throughout Australia as well as the United States and Asia.
Ms Irwin also issued her thanks to the public for the "overwhelming outpouring of love, support and prayers for my family".
A private ceremony was held at the weekend for the burial of the 44-year-old 'crocodile hunter' after his family turned down the offer of a state funeral as he was just an "ordinary bloke".