Oh Crikey! "The Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin might be put on currency down under in Australia, if a new petition succeeds.
The Change.org petition explains, "It's been ten years without the Aussie icon and although he's been recognised in many ways I'd imagine we could all support the idea of going one step further (well deserved)." How, exactly, does the petition hope to honor "the all time greatest Australian bloke"? They hope to "Put Steve Irwin on the Australian currency."
Kyle Ryan, along with Jake Ryan, Riley McConville, Daniel Brown and Luke Brown, started the petition a week ago, and it's close to reaching its goal of 25,000 signatures.
Ryan told BBC, "We started this petition because the newer generation barely knows who is representing our currency." Because of that, Ryan explained, "We believed that having a childhood icon and conservationist like Steve would be a great idea for his 10th anniversary."
Ten years ago this month, Irwin was killed by a stingray in Australia's Great Barrier Reef while filming a documentary called Ocean’s Deadliest.
The petition will be submitted to the Royal Australian Mint. Their chief executive told BBC the petition "highlighted the passion throughout a sub-section of the Australian community to recognise Mr. Irwin."
If successful, it won't be the first time Irwin has appeared on Australian currency. In 2009, Irwin was featured on a dollar coin for a series that honored Inspirational Australians. That was an exception for the Royal Australian Mint, whose circulating coins generally don't feature anyone "other than Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and other members of the British Royal Family."
Irwin's daughter, Bindi, is a fan of the petition too. "It is such an honor that Dad is being considered to be remembered forever on Australian currency," she told News Corp Australia. "His legacy will continue to inspire us all, he truly changed the world."
