Greer's Latest Swipe At Irwin’s Portrait
I honestly don't think expatriate Australian Germaine Greer is doing herself too many favours with her constant sniping at the late Steve Irwin. Youd would all recall that when he died, she whipped up a storm over her newspaper column that said, among other things, ``The animal world has finally taken its revenge on Irwin''. Over the past week, there's been an interesting postscript. Her portrait was taken down at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra - and replaced with one of Irwin. At first it seemed she was going to be civil about the switch, as she praised the gallery for hanging Irwin's portrait. Then, inexplicably, she said that Irwin ``made many Australians cringe’’. And today she's front-page news in the mass-circulation Melbourne newspaper the Herald Sun. Seems she thinks the portrait of the Crocodile Hunter is not ``altogether manly''. I'm all for freedom of expression, but I would have thought a person of Greer's intellect would know when to back off.
8 comments:
Aussijourno,
Very interesting article, as usual. I have a question. Is Steve Irwin a person that "makes most Australian's cringe" as noted in the article? It would be interesting to have an Australian perspective on it. Thanks again for all your help with my blog.
-Aaron
I'm from the UK but I know from all the media reports I have seen both on TV and on the web that Steve Irwin's death was mourned by people all over - Myself included.
I think it's really unfair of her to say all the thing she has. Sure she has a right to her own opinion. But there is a limit to how far she should go - Especially under the circumstances.
Steve Irwin in my opinion than a better person than her - and his daughter too. For a start I don't see Germaine Greer trying to help wild animals and to do anything other than appear on shows that will give her publicity, money and in general help her own career.
Steve generally cared for wildlife and didn't exploit them - He helped them and educated millions of people all over the world about the in the process.
So she should stop being petty over the portrait thing - He deserves the place more than her.
I don't think a lot of Australians would cringe because of him. Why would they? - And I know that I'm not Australian but I still know that she certainly does make me cringe.
Anyway, whatever happened to don't speak ill of the dead? Especially when they've done nothing to deserve it.
When did she ever learn to back off?
Hi Aaron,
Nice of you to drop by again - and I'm glad the blog interests you.
In answer to your question, no Steve Irwin certainly did not make us cringe. Interestingly enough, he was an unknown here in Oz while he was a really big name in the US because of the success of `Crocodile Hunter' and his TV show.
But of course he rapidly became big news here too. His death was a great blow to conservation and to Australia - but it's a pity that Germaine Greer doesn't think so.
Always happy to help with your blog. Just yell if you need anything. I'll always be there to help those who want some guidance.
Keep smiling
David
Hi Steph,
Nice to see you took the time to visit and to leave a comment. Yes, Steve Irwin's death was a bitter blow to Australia because he was such a terrific ambassador for this country.
More than his conservation message, I guess his biggest contribution as to make people understand that it was fine to be wide-eyed and exuberant.
You're right about Germaine Greers ill-timed attacks. Not once but too often now, she has reviled him. And in the end, it's really her own image that she is whittling down, not his.
Keep smiling
David
Hi Janzjottings
You're right. She hasn't learnt that sometimes it is better to keep an opinion to oneself.
She is entitled to her opinion, but I don't think many people would agree with her.
Cheers
David
"methinks the lady doth protest too much" ;^)
Don't understand why she keeps going on about it.
I know of some younger viewers who were really into the "Crocodile Hunter" programmes. It was great for getting kids interested in wildlife, in a way that programmes by, say, David Attenborough just couldn't appeal, so matter how impressive they were.
I loved his 'hands on' approach and think that we lost a great presenter and a great worker for animals & wildlife as a whole.
Helena
(Bob's "mum")
You're so right, Helena,
He appealed to everyone, kids included, becuse of his great zest for life.
And it wasn;t an act, either. I never actually met him but those who knew him said that what you saw on screen was exactly the way he was in real life.
David
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