This is such a lovely miniature mosaic of Steve, who was always larger than life!   Shirley has captured Steve's expressive hands that were always wrestling crocs! Wait till you see what we have planned for the huge mural.


We were all saddened and shocked when, on September 4, 2006, Steve Irwin 44, was killed in a freak accident after being speared in the heart by a stingray's barbed tail in the waters off the Batt Reef in North Queensland.   If anyone reading this doesn't feel the same, you may as well return to the home page now as I am very passionate about Australia Zoo and this project and so are millions of other people who shared Steve's vision.

I was so upset by the death of Steve Irwin, a true blu Ozzie - the larrikin, conservationist, crocodile hunter, snake hugger, wonderful dad and husband of Terri Irwin, that I was left sitting stunned in my office, staring out at the gum trees - it was so "out of the blue" - one of Australia's popular TV stars and a huge favourite of children everywhere  - was no longer with us. - Steve was larger than life!  He used to almost leap off the screen!

My children loved the croc hunter as they grew up and my nephews particularly all fancied themselves as Croc Hunters.  Steve gave them passion and energy and so much fun whilst educating them about creatures, great and small.   We used laugh and hold our breaths with anticipation, watching him getting up to his antics and really admired his bravery and compassion.

It was the TV interview that Terri did with Ray Martin that touched me so deeply.  I cried all the way through it.   David, my husband was so touched as well.    I think Terri is fantastic and such a dignified lady.   I could feel her grief;   I imagined myself in her shoes and my heart ached for her.  She is so natural herself and to lose the love of your life and have to face the media, the world and be judged must be so difficult.  I don't think I could get up off the floor for months if in the same situation.   But the zoo needs caring for, the children are there, the employees of the zoo need her too....so Terri found inner strength and somehow calmed us all.  I ADMIRE HER!  

I felt so strongly after watching Terri walk by all the tributes that had been sent to Australia Zoo and her absolute genuine emotion;  she was overwhelmed by the kindness of people who loved Steve;  I wanted to show I cared too.  I immediately wanted to make a mosaic to give to Terri, to put anywhere she wanted, a simple gift from me.     It could go in a cupboard, or a wall in the garden, it was not the mosaic that mattered but the thought. This was not to be.....I was reading posts on mosaic addicts (a yahoo group for mosaic addicts, that I own and moderate with the help of Angie and Colleen, very special artists) and mentioned I was going to make a mini mural for Terri.   Wow!  Reaction to this post brought on a mosaic fever.........my idea gave an opportunity for so many who loved Steve and Australia Zoo to express their emotions as well.   Pledges started to pour in.  So many wanted to make part of the mosaic...it had turned into a mural overnight.   I had the means to make the mosaic - a studio and wonderful support and I had the vehicle to promote the mural, the Internet and