The late Steve Irwin was set to be topped Australian of the 12 months in 2004 however misplaced out on the title on the 11th hour because of the crocodile feeding photograph controversy.
Ex-Olympian Lisa Curry revealed the crocodile hunter was first on the listing for the distinguished honour, however it was finally given to cricketer Steve Waugh after he was requested to withdraw his nomination.
The bombshell was shared in Curry’s new memoir Lisa: 60 Years of Love, Life & Loss and the previous athlete advised Information Corp if she might flip again the clocks and provides Irwin the award, she would.
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Curry, who was then chair of the Nationwide Australia Day Council, mentioned the sudden choice to not identify Irwin Australian of the 12 months was due to the controversy surrounding the images of him feeding a croc whereas holding his child son, Robert Irwin.
“It was such a shemozzle that ought to by no means have occurred,” Curry mentioned. “As we speak, I might have simply mentioned ‘no, we’re going forward with it’.”
“Generally you do issues to please individuals, to please the media or the general public, and nowadays I would go ‘No. That is what we’re doing. The particular person deserves it and it may stand.
She added: “If I had my method now I would posthumously give him the award.”
Curry mentioned the council made the choice to ask Irwin to withdraw his nomination with the idea he might be re-nominated in two years’ time.
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Irwin was killed two years later in 2006 by a stingray and by no means lived to obtain the honour.
The crocodile hunter’s notorious photograph feeding the reptile whereas holding his child son Robert sparked main outrage in Australia and past.
Irwin was compelled to apologise for inflicting alarm whereas he carried out the stunt throughout a present at Australia Zoo in Queensland.
“I had a secure working distance with that crocodile when that befell,” Irwin mentioned on the time
“I am so sorry that it is bought to this, however that is the best way it’s – if I might have my time once more I might in all probability do issues a bit in a different way.
“However I might be thought-about a foul mother or father if I did not train my kids to be crocodile savvy as a result of they stay right here – they stay in crocodile territory.”
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