Posted on 10/11/2006 5:30:24 AM PDT by Aussie Dasher
EIGHT-year-old Bindi Irwin was greeted with screams of support tonight as she honoured a commitment made by her father.
The daughter of Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin attended tonight's Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards in Sydney, making her first public appearance since her father's memorial service on September 20.
At that service, Bindi Irwin pledged to continue the wildlife work of her father, who was killed by a stingray barb to the chest while filming footage for his daughter's TV series on the Great Barrier Reef on September 4.
Steve Irwin had earlier agreed to attend tonight's awards ceremony so his daughter could mix with her favourite television and music stars.
Instead, Bindi flew into Sydney from the Sunshine Coast accompanied by her mother, Terri Irwin, and said she was excited to be presenting an award.
Dressed in her father's trademark khaki, Bindi attracted the biggest scream from the crowd outside the Sydney Entertainment Centre and happily posed for photos.
“I'm feeling pretty good,” she said.
“It's kind of sad that he couldn't be here but it's nice that I could do it.”
(Excerpt) Read more at news.com.au ...
Thanks for the ping. It brought a smile to my face, too!
It's nice to see them having fun, and I'm sure Steve is smiling at them, too!
wow
Ping!
Little Bindi is just a little girl who probably doesn't even really understand the concept of death that well. I was somewaht shocked that she spoke at the funeral reading words that her mom wrote. I feel she is being exploited rather than just being a little girl who has lost her dad. She's being used which is very sad. She will be growing up too fast at this rate.
I read an article somewhere that said Bindi approached her mom and said that she wanted to speak at her Dad's memorial service and worked with her Mom to get it all down on paper.
Her Mom also said that having been raised at the zoo and seeing animals die, she understood death. I understood the death of my great-grandfather at age 5. I understood I would not see him again and was VERY sad about that.
When my dad died I was 21. Not a little child. But, the feeling isn't so different. I know as long as I was busy I was fine. The day the telephone stopped ringing because everyone else was moving on. That's when it got hard.
She never gained it back.....
I hope she's ok...I still keep Terri in my prayers.
She was a just a person, you know...he married a regular person that obviously wasn't too high-maintenance but was stong and self-confident and I think it was what made their marriage so good and could withstand the public scrutiny.
If you've had the chance to see the 20/20 interview w/ Terri Irwin, you would have heard Terri recall that Bindi approached her, wanted to speak at the memorial service, and worked very hard to get her thoughts down on paper. She was sad because her teacher wouldn't let her read w/ her finger, but her mom said it was okay to do that.
I was able to watch the interview Terri gave for Australian TV at the same time the Walters interview was done. Terri is very specific that it was BINDI who composed the wonderful, heartfelt tribute she gave her Dad. She spoke the words into the "dictaphone", and then Terri helped her get them onto to the puter, and printed out to a size which was easier for Bindi to read at the memorial. Those were Bindi's words, and feelings, not her mum's.
Also, during that interview, Terri addressed the issue as to whether or not Bindi understands what death is. Those kids have been raised in a zoo. They have had beloved animals die. Their owns eyes have witnessed death. Bindi understands the concept of death. At age 8, I most definitely did. And Bindi seems to be a remarkably intelligent little girl.
The thing both mum and daughter agree the most on, is that Steve was FUN. I am certain she is determined that fun will not leave the lives of Steve's kids along with his physical presence.
I see no evidence that Bindi is being "exploited".
pattyjo
I think so too. I believe she's just trying to go on with life. You have to grieve. But the world keeps turning. If you don't try to keep going, depression will come looking for you. And I don't think Steve would have wanted them to live the rest of their lives in sadness & misery.
She does look thin. I noticed it at the memorial & the interview.
I saw the "glamor" photo on the tabloid stands this past weekend, but thought that it was photoshopped since the accompanying article cover title seemed to imply that Terri was already out vamping the streets having a good time with Steve barely in his grave. I knew that that couldn't be true, so I didn't pay any further attention to the piece. However, if that photo really was her, then WOW!
"I'm guessing Bindi's future won't be what Steve Irwin imagined."
I'm guessing that no matter what, Bindi's future will be what Bindi wants it to be. Even had Steve not had this early death, Bindi's future wouldn't be exactly what Steve had imagined.
I think these photos were taken 2 years ago.
I'm Glad Bindi is Getting Out and Doing Things Like this, because it is what her Dad would have Wanted. I've Read Several Comments on this Thread about how Bindi shouldn't have Done this, how she is being Used or Exploited, etc, but can you Imagine what Steve would Say about this?! He would Obviously Want his Little Girl to Live, to Enjoy Every Moment of the Life God has Given her. (Not to Mention the Fact that if I was Bindi, my Whole Goal in Life would be to Walk in my Beloved Dad's Footsteps in Every Way I could! Her Dad is Dear to her, and to Many, Including me!) : )
Call me crazy but I like the pic where she is holding the racoon.
She's an amazing young woman, so poised and articulate. I was very impressed with her at her dad's memorial service. What an Australian treasure!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.