Features
Bob Irwin steals show
Suzanne Keen 15th September 2008
Robert Irwin at the official unveiling of a tribute to his late father Steve on the southern end of Steve Irwin Way. Photo: Jason Dougherty/ 174174i
Australia Zoo’s Terri Irwin has once again defended the way she is raising her two children and vowed to continue her fight against a mining company over the wildlife reserve named after her late husband during a TV interview filmed at Cape York.
Channel Nine's 60 Minutes reporter Peter Overton spent a week with Terri, daughter Bindi and son Robert at the Cape York reserve which was set up to continue the work of the Crocodile Hunter and has recently been the centre of a legal battle between the Irwins and mining company Cape Alumina.
Terri, who was filmed wrestling a saltwater croc with Bindi and Robert right in the thick of the action, said her children were having “the most magical childhood”, and got to see and experience things most kids would not.
“They are living on Planet Irwin,” she said in response to a question about whether they were having a normal childhood.
“I think it’s wrong to say to Bindi that you’re not normal. I see it (her experiences) as a wonderful asset, not a liability … I see a little girl who plays the same games other little girls play.”
Four-year-old Robert was described by his mother as “a little Steve clone”, and sounded like a mini version of his father when he held up an owl and described it in front of the camera.
The cheeky charmer got up close and personal with a reptile and also displayed some of the Croc Hunter’s bravado when he refused help while climbing down from a tree, stating: “No, I’m Mr Independent!”
A tearful Terri told how the family watched a DVD of Steve every morning during breakfast, saying it was comforting and familiar. She also spoke of the challenges of life without her famous husband.
“What they don’t tell you when you lose someone is that you’re afraid. You expect to be sad, but it’s a bit scary too.”
She said the scariest part was tackling things on her own and not having her “best friend” by her side.
But Terri displayed a fierce determination when speaking of her battle to protect the Cape York reserve, which she described as one of the most beautiful places on earth.
“I know I can win. I’m very confident because it’s not just me, it’s Australia.”
That same confidence was to the fore during her closing comments on the show: “I’m a very determined woman and I certainly have the strength and the courage to face what I need to face and I’ll never give up.”
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Recent comments on this article
Congratulations Terri you are living the life I would love to. Raising your children with a bit of schooling and a lot of hands on work and fun. What a way to live. I watched sixty minutes last night and still had a tear in my eye when listening to you talk about Steve. Keep going as you are, there is people out here that dont critisize and know you are doing a great job. Cheers
If she was abusing the children this would be different. They are obviously very happy and well adjusted children who are home schooled as well as learning so much more. There's absolutely nothing to criticise - why do people feel they need to? Another thing that I didn't understand was the papers saying Terri now calls Little Bob, Robert - she has always called him Robert; talk about poor research. Good on you Terri, Steve would have been proud and at the end of the day, that's all that matters. Keep up the great work.
Little Robert certainly stole the show on 60 minutes last night.........he is a miniature version of Steve alright!
I would have loved to have had a childhood such as theirs when I was young, what a wonderful experience. You are doing a great job Terri....congratulations.
I agree Robert is the spitting image of Steve and I think she is bringing up those kids just fine. How about the other part of sixty minutes, that young girl and her family what an ordeal they have and still are going through my heart goes out to their family, that bought tears to my eyes. She is from here on the coast and went to Maroochydore High, this is the type of family I believe needs something special to happen to, there home needs alot of repair and a lot of money spent on it by the looks maybe someone out there can help and get behind........
Ed: Look out for a story on the young girl with Tourettes syndrome in tomorrow's Sunshine Coast Daily.
good on you Terri! You go Girl, im with you all the way, you are doing a great job! with you and your kids. your bringing them up perfect. i had a tear in my eye last night when i was watching 60 mins, i still think about steve he's such a great guy! and he's defently still with us! dont worry about what people say, stick to your beliefs and do what you think's best, and what your doing is best!! xx
Congratulations Terri on the fantastic job you are doing with Bindi and Robert.. they are a credit to you.. maybe more parents could follow in your footsteps.. then there wouldn.t be so many neglected kids roaming the streets because of materialistic parents.. you go girl. and keep up the great work
Trish
I would also like to say.. what a fantastic idea playing Steve's dvd's in the morning to start the day.. the children will know more about their father than a lot of children who's Dad's are still here . a great example Terri.. you are so loved and admired.. Trish