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By Blythe Seinor

If there was any doubt about who inspired the new Australian Wildlife Hospital at Australia Zoo, a quote in the foyer makes it crystal clear.

"She was the greatest wildlife rehabilitator in the world, a true pioneer. She was my legend and in my heart she will live forever."

The Crocodile Hunter's words about his late mother Lyn were unveiled during a packed opening ceremony at the facility yesterday.

Terri, Bindi and little Robert Irwin were there, along with the zoo's general manager Wes Mannion, a swag of state and federal politicians and celebrities including Lisa Origliasso from the Veronicas.

Steve's dad Bob, who was at the centre of controversy in September over an alleged falling-out with Terri, was also there but sat three rows back from the rest of his family and was not mentioned in any official speeches.

He was taken on a tour of the facility inspired by his late wife and seemed genuinely impressed by what he saw.

Terri told the crowd the hospital had been built in memory of Steve's mum Lyn, who is featured in several large pictures around the hospital.

"That passion and empathy Steve had was what Lyn was all about," she said.

Wes Mannion welled up as he spoke about the day his best mate Steve took him to the old avocado packing shed on the site and said he wanted to build an animal hospital in memory of his mum.

"They had a strong bond, I'd never seen anything like it," Wes said.

"They were born on the same day and felt the same passion...that unadulterated love came from Lyn."

The former packing shed operated as an animal hospital from 2004 until it was replaced by the new $5 million facility which is expected to treat 6000 patients a year.

After the ceremony, Terri said she believed Lyn would be very proud of the facility.

"She would run it better than any of us, it would be even cleaner, she was an amazing woman," Terri said.

The opening coincided with Steve Irwin Day, which attracted thousands of fans.

"He took a valuable message and made it entertaining and profitable, then used the profits responsibly," San Diego's Beau Parks said.

Australia Zoo will contribute $2 million each year to the hospital's running costs.

By Damian Bathersby

The Australia Zoo team has continued its outstanding success at the Queensland Tourism Awards, taking the major tourist attraction title for the second year running.

The win, announced at a gala dinner in Brisbane on Friday night, was one of three for the Sunshine Coast.

John Atkin - owner of the award-winning property The Falls, at Montville - took out the Marie Watson-Blake Award for outstanding contribution by an individual, and the Discovery Group's 30 years of fostering environmental tourism was rewarded with the tour and transport operators award.

Tourism minister Desley Boyle, who presented the awards, said it was fitting Australia Zoo recorded its back-to-back wins on the eve of Steve Irwin Day.

The zoo was also a finalist in the specialised tourism services category.

"Now a hallmark destination in its own right and a must-see attraction for the region, Australia Zoo continues to set new standards in product innovation and development while staying true to its crusade for wildlife conservation and education," Ms Boyle said.

Six other Sunshine Coast enterprises were awards finalists: Sunshine Castle (tourist attractions), 2007 Cadbury Schweppes Australian PGA Championship (major festivals and events), 2007 Noosa Triathlon Multi Sport Festival (major festivals and events), Noosa Visitor Information Centres (visitor information and services), Tourism Noosa (The Richard Power Award for tourism marketing) and Oceans Mooloolaba (luxury accommodation).

Equathon Horse Riding Tours was honoured with a judges' commendation in the adventure tourism category, and the Blackall Range Business and Tourism Association received the same honour in the Richard Power Award for tourism marketing, for its website.

Brisbane tourism operators took out nine of the award's 29 categories. Tropical north Queensland won seven awards, and the Gold Coast and Townsville regions matched the Sunshine Coast, winning three.

The winners will all progress to the finals of the Australian Tourism Awards in Melbourne next February.

By Blythe Seinor

With a father who is regarded as the greatest boxer of all time, it's fair to say Khaliah Ali comes from tough stock.

But she is an undeniable softie when it comes to animals.

Her eyes welled with tears yesterday as she described what she had seen at the new Wildlife Hospital at Australia Zoo.

"I can't even pick (a favourite), it's impossible," she said.

"You want to say the koalas, but I'm in love with the rhinoceros that let me pet him on his back.

"Then there was the lemur that was so greedy he slapped the other one in the face when he took the banana, and the elephants were so large and gentle. That's the kind of day it's been."
Special : Remembering Steve Irwin

Khaliah, her husband Spencer Wertheimer and their son Jacob made the long-haul flight from Philadelphia to the Sunshine Coast this week to take part in tomorrow's opening celebrations of the hospital, which will coincide with Steve Irwin Day.

The trip is part of her role as the US Ambassador for Wildlife Warriors.

She said she initially wanted to become involved in the organisation after she heard Bindi Irwin speak in the wake of her father Steve's death.

"I was so moved because being the child of boxer Muhammad Ali I know what it's like to live with your family's legacy," she said yesterday.

"Certainly this cause is the most laudable and of the highest order.

"I remember picking up the phone and feeling in my heart there is nothing I won't do to help Wildlife Warriors."

She said she regarded Steve Irwin as one of the great leaders of our time.

"Who Steve was in my eyes was Dr King or Ghandi," she said.

"He was somebody who taught people to love where there was fear and taught them tolerance and educated them where there was hatred.

Khaliah said she planned to return to the Sunshine Coast every year to play a part in Steve Irwin Day.

At 1300sqm, the new Australian Wildlife Hospital is the largest of its kind in the world.

It cost $5 million to build and will treat more than 5000 "patients" each year.

The Federal Government contributed $2.5m towards the project, with the rest funded by Australia Zoo and fundraising efforts.

By Shane Bousen

Last weekend I had the pleasure of spending some times at the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve, thanks to an invitation from head ranger Barry Lyons.

I had not been to the Reserve before, though obviously I had heard a lot about the property and was keen to visit and see what was there.

I headed north to Stones Crossing, where the drive itself was interesting and fun.

My mate Glen Peisley from Napranum had volunteered to be the driver.

We charged through the crossing hitting the hole in the middle square on, of course.

On the other side of the crossing we waited for Barry to come and guide us into the Reserve and his camp site, where we were met by a great bunch of blokes who had come from all over Australia to conduct research into the varieties of fresh water fish found on the Reserve.

After introductions and a quick cuppa, we loaded into three vehicles and set off for Blue Bottle Springs.

Blue Bottle Springs, I was informed by Barry, was found by studying topographic maps of the area. The Springs were identified as rainforest on the map; this required further investigation, informed Barry.

"So we came to investigate as part of our conservation work and we found this incredible spot."

We began leaving set traps in the woodland area above the springs to see what mammals and reptiles could be found, then worked our way through and around the spring system to find what freshwater fish were there, all the while looking at the incredibly beautiful flora of the immediate area.

The researchers were from the Australia and New Guinea Fishing Association (ANGFA) and specialise in the species of fish which are found in this part of the world. These land masses were once one and there are many similarities between both countries and their fish.

The researchers study the collection, breeding and conservation of fish and I could tell you from their enthusiasm that they really enjoy their work and take a great deal of pride in what they do.

The guys also study the water conditions of the plants and fish and monitor them over time for any changes and then try and find out why and what its impact will be.

They also work with most state museums across the country to provide samples.

In between laying the traps and catching freshwater fish, we were shown seven different species of rare or endangered plants within ten yards, four of which had not been recorded on the Western Cape before!

One of the researchers, trying not to damage any of the plants, was heard to say: "it is like walking on glass trying to be so careful."

That afternoon we went to Gibsons' Billabong for a look and to flick a lure to see what other freshwater fish could be found there.

We were secretly hoping, of course, for the metre-plus barra on the bottom.

We had just enough time to get back and load up for a trip to Saw Fish Landing, where we were to conduct a night survey of nocturnal animals focussing on aquatic animals.

On the way the guys showed me where they had found an 18 foot scrub python skin the day before. Aware that snakes of this can drop from trees, I felt more comfortable walking in the Wenlock River looking for fish than sitting on the bank waiting for that monster to turn up.

I should mention that there are also 20 listening stations in the Wenlock for 15 saltwater crocodiles with tracking devices attached (part of a research program with Dr Craig Franklin from the University of Queensland).

Anyway, it was a good chance to cool off while everybody was looking for wildlife, which was everywhere.

Some of the fish found that night included saw fish, which are very rare, sole fish and, of course, another snake, the file snake. Currently there are six file snakes with acoustic tracking devices on them as part of another research program being conducted on the Reserve.

Later that evening, on the way back, Glen managed to spot a death adder of the road and he quickly placed it in a container to take back to the camp, where Barry and Josh (Barry's son, who also works for Australia Zoo, to help conduct surveys on reptiles, amphibians and mammals) informed us that they had been trying for 12 months to find one.

Surprisingly, some people think they don't exist around here. I can confirm that they definitely do!

We had time for a quick meal and then we camped under the stars to rise to the sound of hundreds of birds as the sun rose (no need for an alarm clock here).

We had a quick cuppa and then it was back to Blue Bottle Springs to inspect the traps from the day before.

Some species had been brought back to the camp for further observation.

It was about then that we said goodbye to everybody and headed back to Weipa.

The fish researchers at the time we left had identified 41 species of freshwater fish of the 45 that had been previously recorded. However, some species had not been recorded before either.

It was a truly eye-opening experience to see how this research is conducted and it was a pleasure to be with Barry, Josh and the fish guys (as I call them) while they conducted their work.

I appreciated their efforts to accommodate this Desk Jockey (as they called me), while they conducted their very important work and research.

Thanks guys.

Barry said he was also looking forward to maybe having students from Western Cape College out to the Reserve to conduct field studies and surveys possibly at a later date.

The Bully has been invited back later this year to conduct a crocodile survey on the Wenlock River and a botanist is also coming up in December.

By Nathanael Cooper

They say that behind every great man is an even greater woman.

Well, there is little doubt Steve Irwin was a legend, so the woman behind him must be quite incredible.

And the woman who stood behind Steve was subsequently thrust into the forefront after his sudden death has proved how incredible she is by continuing Steve's legacy, raising their children, growing the zoo that was his passion and all the while ensuring the message he felt so strongly about continues to be hears long into the future.

While the family prefer to remember the anniversary of Steve's death in private, each year they open their doors and their hearts to the public that adored him to celebrate his life, despite Terri's own private grief.

"Grief is an interesting thing," she said.
"You deal with it daily, sometimes hourly and it broadsides you when you least expect it. I think I am doing OK and then I will have a hard time, but I think it is so important this one time of the year to celebrate the legacy of Steve and to have good memories and happy thoughts and for people to be inspired just to do something for wildlife."

"I'll talk to a lot of people who are... in my position, they have lost a loved one, and it seems life if you can honour what they are all about and remember them, it is much more healthy that focusing on your own sadness. This is a day where we will stand together with people we love and do something positive for the world."

So Terri, Bindi, Robert and thousands of their closest friends gather together to celebrate a life dedicated to wildlife, conservation and, of course, crocodiles.

When Steve and Terri frost met, Australia Zoo didn't exist. Instead a small reptile park on the Glasshouse Mountains Tourist drive was the home to the man who would become known as the Crocodile Hunter. Now the multi-million dollar animal park is home to hundreds of different creatures, employs more than 600 staff and is about to open the largest wildlife hospital in the southern hemisphere. And it all began with one man.

"When we first met, things were small and our ideals were quite simple. Now everything is so huge, but it has to be in order to accomplish what we have to do."

And even in Steve's short life he made enormous accomplishments, but now the legacy has been handed over to Terri to take care of.

"I think that feeling that one person did make such a huge difference and so can each and every one of us is something that we will pass on, I know for the rest of my life I am going to try to, I know that Bindi and Robert are very committed," Terri said.

The message that one person can make a difference and so can you is the key message behind Steve Irwin Day, when the Irwin family encourage everyone to try to make a difference to the world in any way they can.

"It's a chance to celebrate the life of Steve and it's important to remember he made such a huge difference with wildlife conservation and he was just one person... I think it's an opportunity to focus on what each of us can do," Terri said.

This year Steve Irwin Day will be celebrated at Australia Zoo with lots of great activities including a fashion parade by Bob and Bindi of Bindi's own fashion range Bindiwear. Bindi and the Crocmen will be opening for Thristy Merc and in the evening there will be a very special event that Terri hopes goes a long way towards wildlife conservation and awareness.

"That night at the gala dinner we are raising funds for Wildlife Warriors to continue research into wildlife, to learn about them, take what we have learned to government, prove how and why we need to protect certain wildlife and continue this important work," She said.

There are plenty of ways you can get involved.

"I would like just to say, for Steve Irwin Day, get involved. It is one thing to say 'wow that Steve was quite a character and fair dinkum bloke' and it's another thing to take up what he was all about and actually try to do something positive to help," Terri said.

"On Steve Irwin Day have your backyard campout, wear khaki and do something to instigate a incite a wildlife conservation riot."

By Glenis Green

TERRI Irwin is counting on people power in a renewed effort to prevent bauxite mining in the Cape York reserve named in her late husband's memory.

Describing the mining project as "nuts" and the battle to save the 135,000ha Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve as "the biggest fight I've got on my hands", Mrs Irwin said she wanted to gather an Australian record number of signatures for her "Save Steve's Place" petition.

"We've got 60,000 signatures on the petition and the most petition signatures ever gotten against a mining operation was 20,000 and the most signatures I can find on anything in Australia was 72,000 in Queensland - that was about daylight saving," Mrs Irwin said.

"So once I blow that figure out of the water I can say I've got the most signatures gained on any petition."

Mrs Irwin said her opposition to Cape Alumina's plan to strip mine tonnes of bauxite from within 12,300ha of the reserve was not about mining, but about destruction of the environment.

"I don't care if you wanted to put a space launch pad there, you couldn't destroy this bauxite because it's got this tremendous knock-on effect," she said.

The Irwin family's fight against Cape Alumina has escalated since the company won a victory in the Queensland Land Court in September, entitling it to access the reserve to conduct exploration and environmental surveys.

Test drilling for the company's Pisolite Hills Project has revealed a bauxite deposit of more than 100 million tonnes and it hopes to mine more than 7 million tonnes a year from the site beginning in 2011.

The company's environmental impact statement on the mining plan will be presented to the Queensland Environmental Protection Agency next year.

Mrs Irwin said the long-term environmental significance of saving the reserve's rare "perched springs" which were integrally linked with the bauxite deposits themselves, had hit home when she was approached recently to investigate whether pollution in the Ganges River was responsible for a major die-off of gharials (a type of crocodile) in India.

She said the Wenlock River, which ran through the Steve Irwin reserve, had water so pure it could be drunk without treatment because it was fed from the perched springs on the bauxite. The bauxite acted like a sponge and absorbed water in the wet and then released it during dry periods, playing a vital role in the area's unique biodiversity.

"This small mining company wants to go in and mine the bauxite and the bauxite perched springs are the only ones we can find of this kind in the country... you take the bauxite and you kill these springs," Mrs Irwin said.

"To take the bauxite out you need to clean the silicon and clay off it and you need water - 20 million litres a day. Once the bauxite is cleaned the water goes into a tailings dam where it evaporates... 20 million litres a day is more than the entire city of Cairns uses even in the tourist season and (this is water) you can drink.

"And we're going to take it out of the river with the highest biodiversity of freshwater fish anywhere in the country?

"I feel like I'm in the twilight zone. It's just nuts. But it (the fight) is exciting. That's what I'm obsessed with for the next 12 months."

By Nathan Woulfe

The very fact that Swazi and Ganini are even at Australia Zoo is evidence that Steve Irwin's legacy continues.

The pair of white rhinos are not on public display, and if following Steve's 10-year plan for the zoo, shouldn't even be in the country.

But the fact that things are so far ahead of schedule is a testament to Steve's ambition, Terri said yesterday.

"Things are coming forward quite rapidly - (the rhinos) were towards the end of the 10-year plan, so we're ahead of schedule by a few years and hopefully can keep it that way," Terri said.

"We are taking a page out of Steve's book. He was always in a hurry."

The rhinos were used to launch Steve Irwin Day celebrations scheduled for November 15, a day to celebrate Steve's many passions - family, wildlife, conservation, and of course, fun.

Visitors wearing khaki will receive 10% off their admission price - and a free gift - with the zoo opening an hour early at 8am.

By Leanne Edmistone

THE final tiles are being placed in a massive mosaic tribute to the late Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin. More than 400 international artists and thousands of others have contributed to the mural, to be presented to the Irwin family and unveiled at Australia Zoo for Steve Irwin Day on November 15 – two years after his death in a diving accident.

The mural's co-ordinator, Brisbane artist Sandy Robertson, said the project had grown out of her desire to send a gift of condolence to Irwin's widow, Terri.

"I talked about it on the international (mosaic) forum I moderate and it just grew and grew and grew," Ms Robertson said.

Pieces are still arriving to add to hundreds of wildlife depictions received from across Australia, New Zealand, America, Europe and the United Kingdom. The project also was opened to schools, community events and charities.

The end result will be 10 panels, measuring 1.2m by 2.4m, depicting Steve Irwin with an orangutan and an array of wildlife including a cougar, polar bears, birds and, of course, crocodiles.

By Alan Lander

IT is not too late to catch a whale. Even though it is late October, an experienced whale-watcher said yesterday the season was running late - and a massive pulse of whales was about to pass this way.

Allan "Shorty" Short, the skipper of Australia Zoo's boat Whale One, said he was expecting "one of the biggest pulses of whales" over the next three days. Normally the whale watching season runs from June to November, with September the peak – but not this year.

"The season is running three to five weeks late," Shorty said. "The water temperature was 16 degrees in August - it's now 21.9. "The migration (south) is running later due to the water temperatures."

Shorty said among the whales were female humpbacks aged about 15 to 20 with calves in tow. "The calves are twice the size of dolphins. The mums are relaxed, more patient, and very proud of their

calves." he said. "One mum raised her calf (to the boat) on her head as if to say `isn't she beautiful?'

"We are having wonderful moments with Mother Nature." Shorty said young males were still carrying on as though mating season was not over. "There is lots of fighting with mums during the migration - and lots of them getting their way, too."

He said whales could still be passing "when the fat guy in the red suit starts calling". And they will become more visible. "The water is warming, so they will spend more time on the surface to cool down," Shorty said. "It's the best of the season now."

Shorty said he had been whale watching at Hervey Bay for 13 years and the Coast for three years, and the viewing here was far superior.

Coolum lifeguard Michael Daly said he saw "20 to 30" humpbacks pass the beach daily, and October was the prime viewing month. Mr Daly said the northern migration was less obvious during the winter.