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Devastated wife reveals croc attack victim's heroic final act

<p>The grieving wife of the 40-year-old doctor who was killed by a crocodile in Far North Queensland has spoken out about her husband's heroic actions in the moments before his tragic death. </p> <p>David Hogbin, a general practitioner from Newcastle, was holidaying near Cooktown with his wife Jane and their three young sons when he was attacked by a crocodile. </p> <p>The family of five were walking along an established path on a riverbank when it is believed part of the bank gave way, causing Hogbin to fall into the river below.</p> <p>“Jane, who was nearby but not walking with Dave at the time, heard the splash and slid down to desperately try to pull him out,” family friend Alex Ward wrote on <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-dave-hogbins-family-after-tragic-crocodile-attack" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-type="article-inline">GoFundMe</a>.</p> <p>“Due to the steepness and slipperiness of the bank, Jane was able to grab his arm but began slipping into the river herself.”</p> <p>Jane said her husband was "doing everything right" during the frantic incident, reflecting on his selflessness in his final moments. </p> <p>“He saved me — his last act was to not pull me in with him,” she told <em><a href="https://www.news.com.au/national/queensland/news/dads-selfless-final-act-before-fatal-crocodile-attack-in-queensland/news-story/72a7140759ca5f22bb263ad1b0a390eb" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-type="article-inline">news.com.au</a></em>.</p> <p>Hogbin let go of his wife’s arm during the attack, which meant she was able to find safety on the riverbank as he was taken by the crocodile.</p> <p>“I’m glad I’m still here, because it could have been a million-fold worse for everyone involved, not just the boys,” Jane said.</p> <p>“I have a lot of comfort in knowing there’s nothing that I’m frustrated or angry about — he was just walking around a corner on a well-worn path.”</p> <p>Ward said it was a “small consolation” Hogbin’s three young sons did not directly see him being taken by the crocodile.</p> <p>Jane is now focused on helping her kids get through the tragedy while being determined to keep memories of their father alive.</p> <p>“I want them to know how dedicated he was as a father — he always jokingly offered to be a stay-at-home dad and never work again, because they were his number one priority,” she said.</p> <p>“David touched so many people’s lives that everyone deserves to know who he was and how it all ended for him."</p> <p>“I want to put a face to this tragedy — someone didn’t just get killed by a crocodile, we have lost a wonderful husband, father, son, brother, friend and doctor.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: GoFundMe</em></p>

Caring

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"That is NOT a goanna": Family stumbles upon metre-long croc in their chicken coop

<p>A Central Queensland family got the croc-shock of their lives when what they thought was a seemingly innocent goanna having a nap in their chicken coop turned out to be a rather laid-back, metre-long reptile houseguest.</p> <p>The unsuspecting family from <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Cape Hillsborough </span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">stumbled upon the scaly interloper during their morning routine and, u</span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">pon closer inspection, they realised that their "goanna" was actually a pint-sized crocodile with a hunger for adventure and perhaps a penchant for farm-fresh eggs. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">They immediately called upon the services of the wildlife officers from the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) to handle the unexpected guest. </span></p> <p>DESI staff, armed with their best PVC tube, swooped in to relocate the confused crocodile to a more suitable venue – a facility in Mackay. There, the croc will wait patiently until wildlife officers can find it a new home, possibly at a licensed farm or zoo where it can continue its culinary escapades under professional supervision.</p> <p>Senior Wildlife Officer Jane Burns commented on the incident, saying, "While it isn't unusual to see crocs around Mackay, it is unusual to find one in someone's backyard." Well, Jane, they say every family has a skeleton in the closet, but in Mackay, it seems they might have a croc in the coop.</p> <p>This peculiar episode follows hot on the heels of recent reports of a crocodile deciding to test its high jump skills, attempting to land in a fisherman's tinnie at Jane Creek in nearby St Helen's Beach. Witnesses say the crocodile executed a perfect swan dive, narrowly avoiding a career in aquatic acrobatics.</p> <p>As the good people of Mackay navigate this unexpected croc invasion, wildlife authorities are reminding everyone to be "<a href="https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/plants-animals/animals/living-with/crocodiles/becrocwise" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Crocwise in Croc Country</a>". Tips include expecting crocs in all waterways (yes, even in your neighbour's kiddie pool), obeying warning signs (they're not just fancy decorations), and refraining from using canoes and kayaks (apparently, crocs have a thing for watercraft).</p> <p>So, the next time you suspect a goanna is admiring your chicken coop, remember – it might just be a crocodile in disguise, ready for a culinary adventure and a chance at stardom. </p> <p><em>Images: DISA</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Iconic Crocodile Dundee pub hits the market

<p>The iconic Aussie pub that was made famous in <em>Crocodile Dundee</em> has hit the market. </p> <p>The Walkabout Creek Hotel, located in the remote Western Australian town of McKinlay, is up for sale with an asking price of $1.4 million. </p> <p>The local watering hole, which featured in the famous Paul Hogan film, features a public bar, pool room, store room, office, kitchen and a veranda.</p> <p>It also has nine rooms for accommodation and an attached caravan park for out of town visitors. </p> <p>The <a href="https://www.vzrealestate.com.au/listings/rural_sale-3742335-mckinlay/?doing_wp_cron=1694572016.2800199985504150390625" target="_blank" rel="noopener">listing</a> for the pub reads, "This could be the perfect opportunity to purchase a piece of Australian movie history and a great business all while enjoying true country atmosphere and breaking away from busy city life."</p> <p>The property was listed for sale by its owners Debbie and Frank Wust, who are retiring after owning the pub for nine years. </p> <p>“One thing that will always stick in my mind is when we first took over the joint, we had to keep pinching ourselves," Mr Wust told <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-07-22/crocodile-dundee-pub-for-sale/101256696" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>ABC</em></a>.</p> <div data-component="EmphasisedText"> <p>"We were like, 'Holy moly, we own the <em>Crocodile Dundee</em> pub!'"</p> </div> <p>"It definitely took a bit of getting used to, but honestly, we've been living the dream."</p> <p>"Who doesn't want to own a pub? Any time you want a drink you just go behind the bar and help yourself."</p> <p>Mr Wust said travellers from the UK and the US had made the trek all the way to Australia just to see the pub.</p> <p>Although Debbie and Frank are looking forward to their retirement, they admitted they will be sad when the day comes to had the keys over to the pub's new owner. </p> <p class="paragraph_paragraph__3Hrfa" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1rem; font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;">"I'm really gonna miss the people out here — there are so many great characters," Mr Wust said.</p> <p class="paragraph_paragraph__3Hrfa" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1rem; font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;">"But I reckon we'll be back each year."</p> <p class="paragraph_paragraph__3Hrfa" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1rem; font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;">"It'll be exciting to see what the next lot do with it — if you're gonna buy a pub, may as well make it a famous one."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images / VZ Real Estate</em></p>

Domestic Travel

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Robert Irwin's touching tribute from Steve's iconic truck

<p>Steve Irwin was treasured by the entire world, his dedication to wildlife paired with his cheeky personality had everyone wrapped.</p> <p>He did essential work in the field of conservation and animal education, and he always left viewers smiling.</p> <p>His death on September 4, 2006, broke the hearts of millions, but his legacy has been continued by his wife Terri and kids Bindi and Robert.</p> <p>In April 2023 Robert Irwin reflected on some early memories with his late dad and recreated a childhood photo.</p> <p>Robert, 19, shared a photo of himself sitting on his dad’s lap in the driver’s seat of Steve’s ute.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CrLJrEHLUWD/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CrLJrEHLUWD/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Robert Irwin (@robertirwinphotography)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"My dad's ute… it's a special car,” Robert captioned the image, before sharing may more memories he has in it.</p> <p>"From early memories when Dad would park and let me pretend to drive, to more recently when I took my drivers test in it (and somehow managed not to stall it 😂)," he wrote.</p> <p>After the childhood photo, he shared a snap of himself in the driver’s seat, driving the car himself this time.</p> <p>Robert also shared a photo holding his P plates in front of the ute.</p> <p>"I remember my first solo drive in this car after I got my license – it was to the hospital to meet my niece for the first time, right after she was born. And now, the ute still comes on road trips to this day…", he wrote.</p> <p>In February 2023 Bindi, 24, took to Instagram to share a tribute for Steve on what would have been his 61st birthday.</p> <p>"Happy Birthday, Dad," Bindi wrote alongside a sweet photo of her and Steve.</p> <p>"Thank you for instilling a love for all species, courage to follow my heart and determination to make a difference in the world for wildlife and wild places. Your legacy lives on and the world is forever changed because of your dedication to conservation. Mum, Robert and I love and miss you so much.”</p> <p>Robert also shared a sweet message to honour their father, "Happy birthday, Dad ❤️," Robert wrote, alongside a photo of Steve cradling him with little Bindi watching on.</p> <p>Australia Zoo posted a happy image of Steve on a boat, paired with the caption, "Happy birthday to the original Wildlife Warrior 🐊,"</p> <p>"Countless wildlife, wild places, and people thank you for your message of love🤎.”</p> <p>Steve Irwin has had a passion for wildlife ever since he was a child. His parents opened a small zoo called the Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park, which later turned into the famed Australia Zoo.</p> <p>Steve was very involved in the zoo, he helped with the animals’ daily feeding and care routines. For his sixth birthday, he was gifted a four-metre scrub python. By the age of nine, his father Bob had taught him proper reptile handling techniques, and the wildlife warrior wrested his first crocodile.</p> <p>Although Steve cherished all animals, it was clear he had a soft spot for crocodiles. Throughout his adolescence and young adult years he volunteered for Queensland's East Coast Crocodile Management program. During that time he caught over 100 crocs, who were then relocated or housed at his family’s park.</p> <p>In 1991 he took over management of the park, giving it the name Australia Zoo in 1998.</p> <p>That same year Steve met his wife, Terri, an American naturalist visiting zoos in Australia.</p> <p>Terri says it was love at first sight, "I thought there was no one like this anywhere in the world. He sounded like an environmental Tarzan, a larger-than-life superhero guy.”</p> <p>The couple were engaged within four months of dating and got married in 1992 in the US.</p> <p>For their honeymoon, they went on a trip trapping crocodiles together. A friend of Steve, John Stainton took footage of them working, which later became the first episode of <em>The Crocodile Hunter</em>.</p> <p><em>The Crocodile Hunter</em> premiered in 1996 and aired for five seasons. By 1999 it premiered in the US and became a worldwide success.</p> <p>The show aired in 130 countries to over 500 million people. Even the legendary Sir David Attenborough praised Steve for his work in getting people interested in nature, ”He taught them how wonderful and exciting it was. He was a born communicator," he said.</p> <p>Steve was incredibly committed to the conservation of the environment, "I consider myself a wildlife warrior. My mission is to save the world's endangered species," he said.</p> <p>In 1998 Steve and Terri gave birth to their first child, a baby girl called Bindi.</p> <p>Steve once said his daughter Bindi was "the reason [he] was put on the Earth”.</p> <p>In 1999 Steve appeared multiple times on <em>The Tonight Show With Jay Leno </em>to promote several of his TV shows over the years.</p> <p>Steve was often in the US to promote his work and conservation, expressing interest in opening an Australia Zoo outpost in Los Vegas.</p> <p>After the massive success of the documentary series, the Irwins went on to star in a feature film, The<em> Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course</em>. It co-starred Magda Szubanski and David Wenham.</p> <p>As Steve was promoting the tour for the <em>Crocodile Hunter</em> film in 2002, Terri and Bindi joined him at the premieres in both the US and Australia.</p> <p>In 2003, Steve and Terri gave birth to their second child, a son named Robert.</p> <p>Steve noticeably passed down his love for animals and the environment to his children, with them both involved at Australia Zoo and beyond.</p> <p>Bindi appeared in several episodes of her father’s shows, including <em>The Crocodile Hunter Diaries</em> which focused on the family and everyday life at Australia Zoo.</p> <p>Shortly before his death, Steve had planned for his daughter to have her own show called <em>Bindi The Jungle Girl.</em></p> <p>It ended up airing a year after his death.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty/Instagram/Twitter</em></p>

Family & Pets

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"Change the law!": Bob Irwin's campaign against social media “idiots"

<p>Bob Irwin is calling for the Queensland government to close a legal loophole that allows social media users to enter crocodile habitats for content.</p> <p>The proposed changes would establish an offence for individuals who recklessly use a crocodile habitat, along with penalties for people who disturb crocodiles to make online content.</p> <p>Mr Irwin, father of the late Steve Irwin, has asked the Environmental Defenders Office to address the issue, calling for them to draw up amendments to the Nature Conservation Act.</p> <p>He said the online content creators were only endangering themselves and the crocs by entering the habitats. These careless individuals are filming content purely for the croc factor.</p> <p>"The government says idiots like these are not breaking any laws. Well, I say, change the law!" He said in a statement. Well, if the snap fits...</p> <p>Over 40 traditional owners, conservationists, scientists, business owners and community members have backed Mr Irwin’s proposed changes.</p> <p>In February 2023, a 4.2 metre croc was shot dead by wildlife officers after it attacked a man and ate a dog in far north Queensland.</p> <p>The man was swimming at Bloomfield River which is a well-known crocodile habitat.</p> <p>Traditional owner Kathleen Walker said the actions of reckless people are giving the otherwise safe communities a bad reputation.</p> <p>"We support the Environmental Defenders Office's recommendations in the name of creating greater protection for our totem animal, the saltwater crocodile, when human error is involved," she said.</p> <p>"We would like to see a no-tolerance approach to members of the public who take the risk in crocodile territory and for greater mitigation measures to be legislated.”</p> <p>These kinds of individuals are in de-Nile if they believe the scaly predators won’t bite.</p> <p>The notorious “crocodile hunter” Steve Irwin once said, “Crocodiles are easy. They try to kill and eat you.” So, these croc-tent creators must leave it to the professionals, no matter how jaw-some the videos turn out to be.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty</em></p>

Legal

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Why Queen Elizabeth apologised to Paul Hogan during their 1980 meeting

<p>Paul Hogan has reflected on his 1980 meeting with Queen Elizabeth, and what caused the late monarch to apologise to the actor. </p> <p>The Crocodile Dundee icon spoke with Tracy Grimshaw on <em>A Current Affair, </em>her last interview before leaving the program after 17 years, and recalled the moment he got a lot of "flack" for his choice of outfit to meet the royals. </p> <p>Grimshaw brought up a photo from the book of Hogan meeting the Queen after he performed in the Royal Charity Concert at Sydney Opera House in 1980. </p> <p>When they met, Hogan donned a cut off flannel shirt, stubby shorts and footy socks. </p> <p>"I love that shot," the actor said. "I got a lot of flack over that but the Queen didn't mind."</p> <p>Hogan has said in previous interviews that "everyone was horrified" by what he wore that night when he met the royals, with the exception of Queen Elizabeth. </p> <p>Hogan told Grimshaw that the late Queen had apologised to him during their brief meeting after she "won" a prize to have dinner at his home. </p> <p>"The show we did at the Opera House for entertaining her, part of the thing I did was to pretend to draw the lucky seat prize," he said. </p> <p>"I drew two names out, which obviously was the Queen and Philip, and said the prize that they'd won was dinner at my place, and told them how to get there, what bus to catch and all that kind of stuff - was all funny."</p> <p>"But when I met her, she then leaned over and said, 'I'm sorry dear, I don't think we'll be able to make dinner', which is great, she's got a sense of humour."</p> <p>Hogan also shared an update on his health battle, telling Grimshaw that he'd lost a lot of weight and was being "held together with string". </p> <p>"I had a problem on the aorta and the kidney and the treatment fixed it but it shrunk me," he said.</p> <p>"I'd still take out most 40-year-olds then I turned 80 and there's a saying that turning 80's not for sissies because things start to fall apart but, no, I can't complain."</p> <p><em>Image credits: A Current Affair</em></p>

TV

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CRIKEY! The Crocodile Hunter Lodge opens on the Sunshine Coast

<p>The Crocodile Hunter Lodge in Queensland, Australia, is a brand-new overnight experience launched by the Irwin family in June 2022.</p> <p>Completely inspired by Steve Irwin, who passed away in 2006, his family Bindi, 23, and Robert, 18, both continue to work with their mother to carry on the Irwin name with Australia Zoo, which has 700 acres of land housing over 1,200 animals.</p> <p>The lodge is less than a five-minute drive from the Australia Zoo, which started off as a reptile park run by Steve's parents in 1970. In the 1990s, it officially became the zoo that Steve and Terri, who tied the knot in 1992, ran together until his death.</p> <p>Guests who book to stay at the new lodge will have unlimited entry to the zoo, according to a press release provided to Insider. They'll also have a free shuttle service to and from the Zoo and exclusive opportunities to visit the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital.</p> <p>Speaking about the opening, general manager Luke Reavley said Robert made the pool at the lodge a unique experience by having photographs he took of two crocodiles printed onto the pool tiles, which makes swimming there "super cool, and a little unnerving."</p> <p>The Crocodile Hunter Lodge is home to a variety of local Australian species such as red kangaroos, echidna and emus. It's also a habitat for southern Australian koalas.</p> <p>The Lodge includes “eight family-friendly cabins, including an accessibility cabin, and offers services and facilities to suit everyone's needs, ensuring a pleasant and memorable stay," Terri Irwin said in the press release.</p> <p>The website also states the accommodations, dotted around the bush, have laundry and room service.</p> <p>Incorporating wildlife and conservation in this new luxury overnight experience is a "beautiful way" the family is honoring Steve's "legacy and everything he stood for," Bindi said.</p> <p>Booking a two-bedroom cabin will cost between $800 and $1,000.</p> <p><em>Image: Insider</em></p>

Real Estate

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Steve Irwin's eerie final speech revealed

<p>A close friend and colleague of Steve Irwin's has opened up about the fateful trip that claimed the Crocodile Hunter's life, revealing he "tried to stop" the production from going ahead. </p> <p>John Stainton, producer for <em>The Crocodile Hunter TV Show</em> and 15 year friend of Steve Irwin, spoke to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au" target="_blank">news.com.au</a>'s daily news podcast and admitted he"felt uncomfortable" about the underwater documentary project, and had a feeling he was going to die on the trip. </p> <p>John tried to have the <em>Ocean's Deadliest</em> show canned before they all travelled to Australia's northeast coast for filming, and when he was unsuccessful, prepared a will. </p> <p>While John's fears were for his own life, it was Steve that was killed after the barb of a stingray pierced his chest on Batt Reef near Port Douglas. </p> <p>John told the podcast that he was so concerned about the lead up to the shoot, that he asked Discovery Channel to call it off, but they refused when everyone had already been paid. </p> <p>“I felt uncomfortable about it when we were sort of going into the production. In fact, three weeks before we were lined up to shoot I actually rang Discovery and said ‘Look at I don’t feel good about this thing’,” he told <em>I’ve Got News For You</em> podcast host Andrew Bucklow, explaining that he was told it was too late to cancel.</p> <p>“I just had this premonition in January that would be the last day of my life this year. I just had this really weird feeling … So much so that I went and got tests and CAT scans. I thought ‘I have to have something wrong with me’ (but) nothing came back."</p> <p>“I even made a will that year in June before we went on the trip,” he added.</p> <p>Adding to John's unsettling feeling about the trip, he said Steve gave a speech to everyone involved in the documentary that had him feeling even more uneasy. </p> <p>“A couple of days before we started the show, he made a little speech to all the crew that were up there catching crocs for his research trip which I joined at the end with our crew to do the deadliest movie. And it was really weird,” he said.</p> <p>“He was sort of thanking them all for being who they were and for helping him … It was like a ‘finale’ speech... Very weird."</p> <p>“I had this idea on arriving that something was wrong, but it’s just life, you never know what things are going to do to you,” he added.</p> <p>After Steve was tragically killed at age 44 by the stingray, John said it was him that called Steve's wife Terri to deliver the devastating news. </p> <p>“I can remember that night, I couldn’t sleep,” John said of making the calls.</p> <p>“I think when you’re, as anyone that will know when they’re in a state of grief grieving and sadness and shock, that you have to do what you have to do,” he said.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty Images</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Bindi’s heartbreaking tribute to Steve Irwin

<p>Bindi Irwin took to Instagram over the weekend to share a heartfelt post for her late father Steve Irwin, marking the 15-year anniversary since the Aussie icon passed away.</p> <p>The tribute depicted a photo of her daughter Grace, expressing how she wishes “with all her heart” that her dad could “hug my beautiful girl”. It’s been 15 years since he passed away. I hold onto the thought that he’s her guardian angel now, watching over the most special part of my life, Grace Warrior.”</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTZVzkohH1s/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTZVzkohH1s/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Bindi Irwin (@bindisueirwin)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The heart-warming tribute posted was accompanied with a throwback photo of young Bindi with her father.</p> <p>Steve Irwin passed away on the 4th of September, 2006 after an accident involving a stingray on the Great Barrier Reef, whilst he was filming a documentary. </p>

Family & Pets

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Local croc becomes childrens’ book star

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A crocodile living in Constant Creek in North Queensland has become a video sensation, with footage of the reptile racking up hundreds of thousands of views on social media and prompting a local author to write a book on the creature.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I reckon he’s one of the most-filmed crocodiles in Australia,” local boating enthusiast Shannon Burke said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“A lot of the older fishermen that have been there definitely know him,” she said.</span></p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fmichellewilsondreamweaver%2Fposts%2F284088089869208&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="1044" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The many trips author and primary school teacher Michelle Wilson would take up and along Constant Creek inspired her to include the well-known croc as the main character in the children’s book <em>Crocs Don’t Do Yoga</em>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“My mum and daughter were playing a weird game one day to be crocodiles snapping at each other,” Ms Wilson said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“And I don’t know what happened but I just came up with the character, Connie the Croc from Constant Creek.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“At the same time I was doing a lot of yoga, so I just married the two concepts together.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The book tells the story of a snappy crocodile that can’t control its anger – until some friends from Constant Creek suggest yoga.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When it came to publishing her book, Ms Wilson said it was difficult to know where to start.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s a pretty saturated market, you’ve got a lot of excellent writers and celebrities writing [kids’ books].”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Locals are happy enough seeing their favourite reptile receive even more recognition.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The fishermen all seem to love and respect him,” Ms Burke said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I’ve got a lot of friends that backpack and one of their first questions is, ‘Where’s the best place to see crocodiles?’</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“One of our local creeks just north of Mackay is one of the best places to go.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Despite the relaxed nature of Constant Creek’s reptile resident, the Queensland Department of Environment urges people to be “Crocwise” when encountering them, by reporting sightings, staying away from the water’s edge and avoiding feeding them.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Michelle Wilson / Facebook</span></em></p>

Books

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“Crocodile tears”: Aussies slam Annastacia Palaszczuk

<p>Australians have accused Annastacia Palaszczuk of crying “crocodile tears” after becoming visibly emotional during a press conference on Friday morning.</p> <p>The Queensland Premier was bombarded with questions about the 26-year-old nurse from Canberra who was not allowed to attend her father’s funeral.</p> <p>Addressing the situation, the politician welled up as she refuted the allegations saying she was “cold-hearted and nasty” for keeping families apart with draconian border closures, while allowing Hollywood stars and AFL players into the state.</p> <p>But not many people were convinced, calling her a “paid actress” and that her “crocodile tears” were too late.</p> <p>One Facebook user said: “I bet she didn’t cry before there was a public backlash,” and another said: “Right now I’m ashamed to be a Queenslander.”</p> <p>Palaszczuk was also criticised for deflecting the blame regarding the funeral incident.</p> <p>The premier had said it was the chief health officer’s call, adding “I did not make this decision”.</p> <p>One Twitter user wrote sarcastically: “BREAKING: Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk does not run Queensland. An unelected bureaucrat does.”</p> <p>Other Queenslanders defended premier Palaszczuk. “I feel for you Anna. You have a hard job. but you're doing it wonderfully,” one wrote.</p> <p>“I don't agree with some of the things she has done but she has done a far better job than others... and the pressure would be insane,” another said. </p> <p>With her voice cracking and tears welling up in her eyes, Palaszczuk said: “I’m human just like everyone else. </p> <p>“These issues hurt me deeply. They hurt me deeply because during this pandemic I have lost loved ones as well,” she said. “I know exactly what people are going through, OK?” </p> <p>“These are difficult decisions and they're heartbreaking,” she said.  </p> <p>She did not reveal which “loved ones” she has lost.</p>

News

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120 million years ago: Giant crocodiles walked on two legs

<p>Fossilised footprints and tracks provide a direct record of how ancient animals moved. And some preserved behaviours leave us marvelling in disbelief.</p> <p>In research published today in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-66008-7">Scientific Reports</a>, my international team of colleagues and I detail our discovery of exquisitely preserved crocodile footprints, formed about 120 million years ago in what is now Sacheon, South Korea.</p> <p>These trace fossils reveal multiple crocodiles undertaking a very curious behaviour: bipedal walking, much like many dinosaurs.</p> <p>The ancient footprints uncovered resemble those made by humans, as they are long and slender, with a prominent heel impression. But they have additional features, including thick scaly imprints from the sole and toes that are comparatively long with broader impressions.</p> <p>The shape of these footprints compares very well with crocodile tracks known elsewhere, notably <em>Batrachopus</em> tracks from the Jurassic <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10420940490428832">found in the United States</a> – with “<em>Batrachopus</em>” being the name assigned to the tracks themselves.</p> <p>However, instead of being made by quadrupedal, cat-sized crocodiles, the Sacheon fossil tracks are large. With footprints that measure around 24 centimetres long, they come from animals with legs the same height as human legs and bodies more than three metres long.</p> <p><strong>A distant ancestor</strong></p> <p>Today, crocodiles walk on four legs in a wide, squat stance. The Sacheon crocodile trackways we discovered indicate a different pattern of movement. They do not have “handprints”, and the trackways are exceptionally narrow, as if the animals were making the footprints while balancing on a tightrope.</p> <p>This suggests these ancient crocodiles had their legs tucked beneath their body, much like a dinosaur, rather than assuming the typical sprawling posture seen in today’s crocodiles.</p> <p>The tracks could not have been made by dinosaurs. One clear difference between dinosaur and crocodile tracks is that crocodiles walk flat-footed, leaving a clear heel impression. Dinosaurs and their bird descendants walk high on their toes, with the heel off the ground.</p> <p><strong>The devil is in the detail</strong></p> <p>Fossil tracks can be found in many different states of preservation, ranging from excellent to comparatively indistinct. This can make it hard to accurately identify the animals that made them.</p> <p>Often, track sites are either not composed of sediments that help retain the finer features of tracks, or they erode after lengthy exposure to the elements.</p> <p>We know the Sacheon trackmakers were ancient crocodiles because the tracks have been preserved in extraordinary detail.</p> <p>This is due in part to fine, muddy sediment around an ancient lake that was able to hold the footprints while covered by sediment-laden water. Also, the site was freshly excavated for a new rural building development and hadn’t been exposed to erosion.</p> <p><strong>A helpful reference point</strong></p> <p>The perfectly preserved Sacheon tracks became our reference to reassess other unusual trackways that had been described in the area, but were more poorly preserved.</p> <p>Our attention focused on sites at Gain-ri and Adu Island just ten kilometres away from Sacheon, that had eroded trackways within the <a href="https://www.crd.bc.ca/education/our-environment/ecosystems/coastal-marine/intertidal-zone#:%7E:text=The%20intertidal%20zone%20is%20the,high%20and%20low%20tide%20lines.">intertidal zone</a>, between the low and high tide. These narrow trackways with long, slender footprints but no hand prints or tail drag marks echoed the Sacheon crocodile tracks.</p> <p>A <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10420940.2011.625779">decade earlier</a>, the footprints had been interpreted as made by another ancient animal known as a <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2017/11/pterosaurs-weirdest-wonders-on-wings/">pterosaur</a>. This ancient winged creature – related to dinosaurs but not officially classified as one – was famed for ruling the skies when dinosaurs ruled the land.</p> <p>Crocodiles and pterosaurs were quite distinct, being predominantly land and air dwellers, respectively. They had very differently shaped hands, but interestingly, the impressions they left with their feet can look very similar.</p> <p>When pterosaurs were on the ground, they typically walked on all fours, using their back feet and hands to support themselves as they moved, just like today’s crocodiles.</p> <p>However, as the “pterosaur” Gain-ri and Adu Island trackways lacked hand prints, they indicate bipedal walking. Thus, the tracks were wrongly ascribed to a pterosaur.</p> <p>When first discovered, pterosaur tracks were known to be very common in South Korea, while crocodile tracks were rare. In the absence of well-preserved footprints, the preferred interpretation was that these tracks were likely evidence of unusual behaviour of the pterosaur, a common trackmaker in the area.</p> <p>With the new evidence from the Sacheon site, it became possible to reevaluate the Gain-ri and Adu Island trackways too, which we now suspect were made by the same crocodile trackmakers strolling around Sacheon 120 million years ago.</p> <p><em>Written by Anthony Romilio. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/120-million-years-ago-giant-crocodiles-walked-on-two-legs-in-what-is-now-south-korea-140335">The Conversation.</a> </em></p>

Cruising

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Man attacked by 2.5 metre croc used this tip to escape

<p>An off-duty wildlife ranger has made a surprising escape from the jaws of a 2.5 metre crocodile after it launched at him while flyfishing.</p> <p>Craig Dickmann, 54, was flyfishing at the remote Cape York Peninsula when the crocodile shot out of the water and attacked his thigh.</p> <p>While he was wrestling free from the crocodile, his hand became degloved and he was able to poke the crocodile in the eye.</p> <p>After escaping from the jaws of the saltwater crocodile, Dickmann drove more than an hour to Heathlands Ranger Station where he works to get help.</p> <p>Queensland Ambulance Service superintendent Warren Martin said that it was incredible that Dickmann survived such an attack.</p> <p>"This was a life or death response," he said to<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-11/ranger-pokes-crocodile-in-eye-after-attack-cape-york/11693150" target="_blank">ABC</a>.</p> <p>"The patient really understood the gravity of the situation and knew that he was fighting for his survival."</p> <p>After arriving at Heathlands Ranger Station, Dickmann called emergency services and was given first aid by another ranger. The ranger then drove Dickmann to Bramwell Station to wait for a Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) plane.</p> <p>Bramwell Station owner Wendy Kozicka said that Dickmann was in good spirits despite the attack.</p> <p>"He was very cheerful — but he's a very cheerful person," Ms Kozicka said.</p> <p>"His hands were wrapped up and we were teasing him about that, saying 'Are you sure you have all your fingers?'"</p> <p>Superintendent Warren Martin said that the incident was a “remarkable story” of survival.</p> <p>"There wouldn't be many people in Cape York who could say they have had an interaction with a crocodile like this and still be talking about it," he said.</p> <p>"Not only was [Mr Dickmann] by himself fishing, but after being released by the crocodile having to drive for an hour back to his residence to seek help."</p> <p>Dickmann remains in a serious but stable condition at Cairns Hospital, where he is expected to undergo surgery. He is being supported by his family and senior departmental staff.</p>

Travel Trouble

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Steve Irwin: Remembering The Crocodile Hunter 13 years after his passing

<p>Not many Australian’s have achieved what Steve Irwin has, and that’s being titled a legend in his own right.</p> <p>Today marks the 13th anniversary since the death of the iconic wildlife conservationist, after he was stabbed by a stingray barb while filming an underwater documentary.</p> <p>In 2006, Australia and the world were shocked at the news, after it was announced<span> </span><em>The Crocodile Hunte</em><em>r<span> </span></em>had passed away. His funeral took place at Australia Zoo and was watched by over 300 million people around the globe.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet tw-align-center" data-lang="en-gb"> <p dir="ltr">They say you should live each day to the fullest. Steve actually did. I miss him every day, and I am so proud to see his mission continue. <a href="https://t.co/4NVxbNN9hr">https://t.co/4NVxbNN9hr</a></p> — Terri Irwin (@TerriIrwin) <a href="https://twitter.com/TerriIrwin/status/1169024579592970241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">3 September 2019</a></blockquote> <p>The 44-year-old was praised for spreading awareness and information about wild animals.</p> <p>He said of his work: “I consider myself a wildlife warrior. My mission is to save the world’s endangered species.”</p> <p>Irwin constantly encouraged people to mindful of considerate tourism and used his influence to speak out against animal poaching.</p> <p>Sir David Attenborough agreed with those sentiments and added: “He taught them how wonderful and exciting it was, he was a born communicator.”</p> <p>Scroll through the gallery above for Steve Irwin’s most memorable moments.</p>

Family & Pets

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“It’s a federal crime”: Tourists slammed after luring crocodile with fish

<p>Two tourists who have been documenting their adventures through the Northern Territory have been slammed after posting a video of a crocodile sneaking onto a ramp to capture a fish that’s on the end of a fisherman’s line.</p> <p>The massive croc was caught on camera at Cahills Crossing in the Northern Territory’s Kakadu National Park.</p> <p>The couple are claiming that the video has been shared as a reminder of what crocodiles are capable of.</p> <p>“Croc sure wanted that Barra! Remember to be croc wise in croc country peeps,” their post read.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B1hnHeRj5kw/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B1hnHeRj5kw/" target="_blank">Croc sure wanted that Barra! Remember to be croc wise in croc country peeps! 🐊 • • • • • #crocodile #onlyinthent #cahillscrossing #ntaustralia #cuinthent #seekakadu #kakadunationalpark</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/adventure.aus/" target="_blank"> Adventure Australia</a> (@adventure.aus) on Aug 23, 2019 at 4:37pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The footage has been shared on social media, but not everyone is convinced that it’s a near miss like depicted.</p> <p>The NT Crocodile Conservation and Protection Society are sceptical that the fish was “stolen” by the animal and have argued that it was set up by tourists.</p> <p>“[They] definitely did not try to stop the croc taking it. [They] literally got the croc on the ramp and left the fish sitting there for him! Oh and now the croc has a lure in his stomach.”</p> <p>“It is a federal crime to interfere with, or feed crocs. What’s worse is ... [they] are teaching the croc if he comes up on the ramp as a fish is caught the fishermen will let him have it!.”</p> <p>Others were concerned about the crocodile ingesting the metal hook in the fish.</p> <p>“Cahill Crossing is a known spot for big crocs... fishing for adrenaline junkies only! A fisherman was decapitated by a croc while fishing here,” one person wrote.</p> <p>“The hook is still in the fish, poor croc,” another said.</p> <p>“How ridiculous fishing so close to the crocs territory they can move a lot quicker than us,” a third person wrote.</p>

Domestic Travel

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Crocodile tears? The Block’s Scott Cam slammed over “disgraceful scene”

<p>Fans of the Channel Nine show,<span> </span><em>The Block<span> </span></em>are accusing the beloved TV host, Scott Cam of “bullying” a contestant on Tuesday night’s episode. </p> <p>El'ise was left in tears after her budget meeting, where Scotty and a Suncorp representative the old Perth-based mother her budgeting had been disappointing. </p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B1XCHC8l8tp/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B1XCHC8l8tp/" target="_blank">A post shared by The Block (@theblock)</a> on Aug 19, 2019 at 2:01pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>El’ise was told her and her husband Matt’s finances was “lacking” after it was realised they'd already spent $65,000 on their build - reaching an estimated $33,000 in invoices. </p> <p>The duo have racked up $98,000 in total costs out of their $250,000 budget. </p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0vdIqwj4Vg/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0vdIqwj4Vg/" target="_blank">A post shared by Elise and Matt (@eliseandmatt)</a> on Aug 4, 2019 at 5:07am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>A fellow contestant Mel was later invited to sit in on the meeting, where she was congratulated for her excellent budging skills and awarded an additional $5,000. </p> <p>"I immediately felt very uncomfortable," El'ise said afterwards.</p> <p>"I was absolutely gobsmacked."</p> <p>Later, fans watched as the contestant sobbed after the “humiliating” encounter. </p> <p>She confessed she felt “put down” after she made to watch Mel be rewarded right in front of her. </p> <p>"I just don't like to be made a fool of," El'ise said through tears.</p> <p>"I think we're actually doing a good job, in terms of trades and everything when you're put in a situation like that where you're put down, it's not nice."</p> <p>"And rubbed in, that's not fair. I don't deserve that.”</p> <p>Fans took to social media to share their thoughts on the situation, with one viewer writing it was “nasty.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Either that was a really nasty move to do that in front of El’ise or that was very poorly set up for the cameras. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheBlock?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TheBlock</a></p> — Jake 🗝✨ (@jakemoogle) <a href="https://twitter.com/jakemoogle/status/1163758032188104704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 20, 2019</a></blockquote> <p>However, another person found Scott’s controversial tactic a learning lesson for El’ise. </p> <p>"Oh boo hoo. Learn how to budget before you go on #theblock," they wrote.</p> <p>"We're all struggling, we're here for a reason, we're here for the kids and to make their life better and I just don't like things being shoved in my face unnecessarily," El'ise stated.</p>

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“Crocodile tears”: Viewers enraged as George Calombaris pleads for public’s support

<p>George Calombaris broke down as he pleaded with the public to not abandon his restaurants, after many diners decided to boycott his business after the wage theft scandal.</p> <p>Sitting down with Leigh Sales on ABC’s<span> </span><em>7.30</em>, the former<span> </span><em>MasterChef Australia</em><span> </span>judge begged customers to continue visiting for the sake of his staff.</p> <p>“I love the people that have worked for me and I don’t want them to suffer right now,” he told Sales as his voice cracked.</p> <p>“Great restaurants are voted by bums on seats and obviously … don’t punish my people.</p> <p>“Just know that when you come into one of your restaurants, know when you pay the bill, that those, my people, are getting paid and paid correctly.”</p> <p>Although, that wasn’t always the case, as the celebrity chef was ordered by court to pay a $200,000 “contrition payment” after he back paid 515 staff members $7.83 million in underpaid wages.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet tw-align-center" data-lang="en-gb"> <p dir="ltr">Don’t miss <a href="https://twitter.com/leighsales?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@leighsales</a>’s exclusive interview with George Calombaris tonight on 7.30. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/abc730?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#abc730</a> <a href="https://t.co/In6B3n6pny">pic.twitter.com/In6B3n6pny</a></p> — abc730 (@abc730) <a href="https://twitter.com/abc730/status/1156347532303196160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">30 July 2019</a></blockquote> <p>Since news broke, Calombaris’ restaurants – Hellenic Republic, Gazi and Elektra – have been visibly empty.</p> <p>But his tears didn’t seem to win over those watching at home, as people took to Twitter to complain about the stars “crocodile tears”.</p> <p>“Don’t believe a word you’re saying, Calombaris,” said one person, while another wrote, “Celebrity crook Calombaris’ mea culpa means zip.”</p> <p>“George Calombaris has the audacity,” a third said, “$8 mil for 524 is not a mistake. He acts like we all don’t have jobs and know how it works.”</p> <p>When asked to explain how things led to this moment, Calombaris said he was more focused on the “creative” process, by coming up with innovative food ideas rather than focusing on the back end of the business.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet tw-align-center" data-lang="en-gb"> <p dir="ltr">I don’t care what the toll on Calombaris has been. What has the toll been on the workers he underpaid? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/abc730?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#abc730</a></p> — Darren Lewin-Hill (@NorthcoteWalker) <a href="https://twitter.com/NorthcoteWalker/status/1156501198024790017?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">31 July 2019</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet tw-align-center" data-lang="en-gb"> <p dir="ltr">Oh poor George colombaris. Crocodile tears. So his accountants never wondered where the profits were coming from? Please.</p> — Elizabeth Terzon (@lizbit24854) <a href="https://twitter.com/lizbit24854/status/1156501375691284480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">31 July 2019</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet tw-align-center" data-lang="en-gb"> <p dir="ltr">Was george Colombaris emotional for his staff or because he and his businesses are suffering because he got pinned?</p> — Craig Gabriel (@crosscourt1) <a href="https://twitter.com/crosscourt1/status/1156673174093701120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">31 July 2019</a></blockquote> <p>However, he accepts full responsibility for the error, saying there was “no excuse” for his actions.</p> <p>“I’m not here to blame anyone,” he said. “I take full responsibility for this. I’m sorry.”</p>

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Robert Irwin just recreated an iconic photo of his dad – and it will blow you away

<div> <div class="replay"> <div class="reply_body body linkify"> <div class="reply_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>Steve Irwin’s son Robert has honoured his late father by recreating an iconic photo from 15 years ago.</p> <p>On Wednesday, the 15-year-old shared a picture of himself feeding a crocodile named Murray at the family's Australia Zoo alongside a photo of his father in the same outfit, tossing food to the croc at the exact same location.</p> <p>“Dad and me feeding Murray… same place, same croc – two photos 15 years apart,” Robert wrote on <a href="https://twitter.com/RobertIrwin/status/1146378432680357894">the post</a>.</p> <p>Steve died in 2006 at the age of 44 while filming for the documentary <em>Ocean’s Deadliest</em> near Port Douglas after a stingray struck him.</p> <p>He is survived by wife Terri and children Bindi and Robert, who have all continued to work with animals and advocate for wildlife conservation. The family now manages the Australia Zoo in Beerwah, Queensland, where they care for more than 1,200 animals and oversee a wildlife hospital.</p> <p>Bindi, 20, told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.insider.com/steve-irwin-son-photo-crocodile-fifteen-years-apart-2019-7" target="_blank"><em>INSIDER</em></a> last year that she will continue the work that his father had done. </p> <p>“I’ve gotten older, I've realised that I'm able to carry on in his footsteps and make sure that his legacy continues on forever,” she said.</p> <p>“I really believe that dad is with us every single day, and I think that his spirit lives on in all that we do, and that’s something that I hold really close. Dad was extraordinary. He’ll always be my superhero.”</p> <p>Scroll through the gallery above to see Robert Irwin's uncanny recreation of his dad's iconic photo.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>

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