Terri Irwin becomes a Senior Fellow at USC
Australia Zoo owner and internationally-renowned wildlife warrior Terri Irwin has become a Senior Fellow of the University of the Sunshine Coast.
The honorary award, in recognition of Terri’s contribution to the Sunshine Coast region and wildlife conservation, was announced at the University’s graduation ceremony on Friday 18 May.
Terri addressed the graduation ceremony and spoke about how much her late husband, Steve Irwin, had loved being associated with USC. Steve was appointed an honorary Senior Fellow in 2000.
“I feel tremendously honoured because the University of The Sunshine Coast has been so supportive of us and this has meant so much,” she said.
“I feel that education is such an important component towards anyone’s goals and dreams, particularly with conservation.
“This region is where Steve called home and, throughout his career, he continued to work from Beerwah on the Sunshine Coast. It is just as near and dear to my heart and to our kids.”
USC Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Thomas said the University was proud to award Terri the honorary Senior Fellowship.
“Terri’s tireless work, in partnership with her husband Steve Irwin, has led to the creation of one of Australia’s most famous tourism attractions, Australia Zoo,” he said.
“Australia Zoo has placed Queensland and the Sunshine Coast on the international tourism stage.
“Terri’s commitment to the protection of wildlife and wildlife habitat, and to the education and promotion of conservation issues to people around the world, is unwavering.”
Terri's children, Bindi and Robert, sat through the two-and-a-half hour Graduation Ceremony at which more than 500 students received their degrees and certificates.
Other honorary award recipients were ABC’s Australian Story presenter Caroline Jones, Canberra architect Harold Guida, Sunshine Coast Regional Organisation of Councils (SunROC) director Graeme Pearce, APN News and Media Group Executive Editor Peter Owen, and Frayda Myers Cooper of the University of the Third Age.