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from the Irwin family's Australia Zoo also took part in the commemoration held during the Juniper Surf classic being staged at Alexandra Headlands in support of cancer charity Camp Quality.

This sounds like a moving and memorable experience and is a measure of the regard that he was held within the community here.

However, in spite of the tragic loss, the man's legacy lives on in the form of his hugely impressive Australia Zoo.

Originally opened by Steve's parents Bob and Lyn in 1970 under the name Beerwah Reptile Park, they passed on their love and respect for wildlife onto their children, especially to their son Steve, who had helped his parents since childhood to care for crocodiles and reptiles and to maintain the growing number of animals in the zoo.

In 1991, Steve overtook management of the zoo. In 1992 the park was renamed Australia Zoo. Currently, the zoo maintains more than 1000 animals and 600 staff. Animals and staff alike all seem to be very happy to be there. It is a wonderful environment to be in and zoos all around the world could learn many things from its example.

After the initial disappointment of going to the zoo a couple of weeks ago, where I found out that I had arrived too late for the main event, the crocodile show in the crocoseum', I made a more successful return visit a week ago along with two friends.

Arriving at 10:30 in the morning, and as clichd as it sounds, we spent six fun-packed hours exploring everything that the zoo had to offer us, our only regret as we left that evening being that we could not have spent longer at the place.

Upon reflection, I am pleased to report that the decision to postpone the visit until a day when I would actually experience the shows in the crocoseum has proven to be the right one.

The crocoseum is an impressive outdoor 5000 all-seater arena located within the zoo itself. Giving some indication as to just how large the park is in its entirety, the crocoseum takes up less than 5 percent of the place.

For an hour and a half, the huge crowd in the crocoseum were entertained and informed by three shows: "Snakes Live", "Birds Live" and "Crocs Live." Each show provided us with very up close and personal encounters with many of these wonderful species.

The experience, however, was not an entirely voyeuristic one, with much of the show's emphasis placed upon explaining to the onlooker how these animals should be treated and the dangers that their species experience thanks, in most cases, to the threat of humankind.

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