Terri Irwin's leadership of internationally-renowned tourism icon Australia Zoo has been recognised at the Queensland Management Excellence Awards held in Brisbane last night, where she was named Owner Manager of the Year.
As owner and director of Australia Zoo, and Patron of Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors, Terri was honoured for her leadership and management style, the role she has played in the growth of her business, commitment to mentoring and other leadership activities, and communication of the vision, mission and goals of Australia Zoo.
Terri said she was honoured to receive the award, which comes as Australia Zoo prepares to celebrate the life and legacy of Steve Irwin, in Steve Irwin Day on Monday 15 November.
"Steve and I shared a vision of becoming the ultimate, global zoological destination, and every day I continue to work at growing this vision into reality."
Under Terri's leadership and direction, Australia Zoo has grown into a world-class facility and leader in conservation, and has been widely recognised throughout the tourism industry, taking out Major Tourist Attraction at the Queensland and Australian Tourism Awards, and being inducted into the Queensland Tourism Hall of Fame.
Congratulations Terri - you dersever this award, keep up the great work that you and your staff do and ill see u soon at the zoo :-)
Anne Fallon1st December 2010 09:53:30 AEST
Congratulations Terri, would love to visit your zoo one day.
samuel dickson30th November 2010 18:38:49 AEST
that is fab news for australia zoo as it is the best zoo in the world to go to so for terri to get the award is so nice steve will be looking down on them
neinka lando30th November 2010 12:05:39 AEST
Terri Irwin is a natural biogenic extrovert focusing all her love outward on the collective body and love of all life on earth. I wish I was worthy of having her as my owner like the animals are. Remember Yomar and Yomose.
Rhiannon Smith24th November 2010 11:47:17 AEST
congratulations terri and doing all the brave work at australia zoo from your fan Rhiannon
Char from PA23rd November 2010 13:09:41 AEST
Congratulations, Terri!! I believe Steve is looking down in awesome pride and love at all you and your team have accomplished so far! Good on you, mate! {{{HUGSS}}} to you, Bindi and Robert from a long time fan.
Gail from London20th November 2010 06:50:20 AEST
Congratulations to Terri and team. Behind every great leader is a great team. Steve always recognised this and often said that his staff were more like family. I am so glad that Australia Zoo is a leader in conservation; exactly what Steve wanted. Terri's motivations must be many, including her love for Australia Zoo and her two wonderful children, but I would imagine the greatest motivation of all is the undying love she will always have for her wonderful husband. Terri will never, ever let Steve down. You know I love you all. xxxxxxxxxxxxx
jane17th November 2010 12:09:35 AEST
Terri Irwin congradulations i am proud of you.
carol dorman16th November 2010 15:01:01 AEST
congratulations Terri we're very proud of you to what you have achieved --
Catriona16th November 2010 14:12:09 AEST
Congratulations Terri, you are a much deserving recipient of this award. You run a fantastic zoo, we love coming to visit.
Susan Davis in Bandon, Oregon USA16th November 2010 07:39:51 AEST
I am so proud of what she has accomplished and for her love of and dedication to Australia Zoo and to her family. I am hoping to get to the Zoo in the next couple of years.
Alison Beck16th November 2010 06:54:26 AEST
Congratulations - a well deserved award. Keep up the great work and I look forward to visiting the Zoo again in the near future
Christine C16th November 2010 06:13:49 AEST
Congratulations. This is WELL deserved. Australia Zoo was my very favourite place to visit when we went to Queensland.
Melva Hackeny16th November 2010 06:10:44 AEST
Terri is doing a great job at fulfilling our expectation of her. I hope both children possess the same love and ability their parents shared for the Zoo.
Sarah Lynch16th November 2010 05:39:05 AEST
Congrats from the USA! That's a well-deserved award! Having just been to the Zoo, I have nothing but positive memories and words about the experience!
Jan Halls16th November 2010 05:14:07 AEST
There could not be enough accolades for the Australia Zoo. After seeing nearly all the major zoos in Australia, it is my opinion that Australia Zoo is the best by far. It is the cleanest, most efficiently run facility I have ever seen. It is fitting that Terry and all her crew get the utmost recognition for a job well done.Steve would be over the moon and very, very proud.Congrats, Jan Halls
Denise Bonnell16th November 2010 03:38:33 AEST
Congratulations to Terri and everyone at Australia Zoo. My heart will forever be with all of the excellent work Steve and Terri have done on behalf of wildlife. I am behind you all the way, Terri. You are doing a wonderful job raising your children and managing Australia Zoo. Steve would be so very proud of you!! Sending you lots of love! Denise
Luann15th November 2010 23:02:10 AEST
Dear TerriThank you for all your dedication to conservation and keeping Steve's dream alive.
Nick White15th November 2010 11:48:07 AEST
Congratulations well deserved, all the best for the future.
19 Zoo Comments
Mandy Berthaly 7th December 2010 10:57:07 AEST
Congratulations Terri - you dersever this award, keep up the great work that you and your staff do and ill see u soon at the zoo :-)
Anne Fallon 1st December 2010 09:53:30 AEST
Congratulations Terri, would love to visit your zoo one day.
samuel dickson 30th November 2010 18:38:49 AEST
that is fab news for australia zoo as it is the best zoo in the world to go to so for terri to get the award is so nice steve will be looking down on them
neinka lando 30th November 2010 12:05:39 AEST
Terri Irwin is a natural biogenic extrovert focusing all her love outward on the collective body and love of all life on earth. I wish I was worthy of having her as my owner like the animals are. Remember Yomar and Yomose.
Rhiannon Smith 24th November 2010 11:47:17 AEST
congratulations terri and doing all the brave work at australia zoo from your fan Rhiannon
Char from PA 23rd November 2010 13:09:41 AEST
Congratulations, Terri!! I believe Steve is looking down in awesome pride and love at all you and your team have accomplished so far! Good on you, mate! {{{HUGSS}}} to you, Bindi and Robert from a long time fan.
Gail from London 20th November 2010 06:50:20 AEST
Congratulations to Terri and team. Behind every great leader is a great team. Steve always recognised this and often said that his staff were more like family. I am so glad that Australia Zoo is a leader in conservation; exactly what Steve wanted. Terri's motivations must be many, including her love for Australia Zoo and her two wonderful children, but I would imagine the greatest motivation of all is the undying love she will always have for her wonderful husband. Terri will never, ever let Steve down. You know I love you all. xxxxxxxxxxxxx
jane 17th November 2010 12:09:35 AEST
Terri Irwin congradulations i am proud of you.
carol dorman 16th November 2010 15:01:01 AEST
congratulations Terri we're very proud of you to what you have achieved --
Catriona 16th November 2010 14:12:09 AEST
Congratulations Terri, you are a much deserving recipient of this award. You run a fantastic zoo, we love coming to visit.
Susan Davis in Bandon, Oregon USA 16th November 2010 07:39:51 AEST
I am so proud of what she has accomplished and for her love of and dedication to Australia Zoo and to her family. I am hoping to get to the Zoo in the next couple of years.
Alison Beck 16th November 2010 06:54:26 AEST
Congratulations - a well deserved award. Keep up the great work and I look forward to visiting the Zoo again in the near future
Christine C 16th November 2010 06:13:49 AEST
Congratulations. This is WELL deserved. Australia Zoo was my very favourite place to visit when we went to Queensland.
Melva Hackeny 16th November 2010 06:10:44 AEST
Terri is doing a great job at fulfilling our expectation of her. I hope both children possess the same love and ability their parents shared for the Zoo.
Sarah Lynch 16th November 2010 05:39:05 AEST
Congrats from the USA! That's a well-deserved award! Having just been to the Zoo, I have nothing but positive memories and words about the experience!
Jan Halls 16th November 2010 05:14:07 AEST
There could not be enough accolades for the Australia Zoo. After seeing nearly all the major zoos in Australia, it is my opinion that Australia Zoo is the best by far. It is the cleanest, most efficiently run facility I have ever seen. It is fitting that Terry and all her crew get the utmost recognition for a job well done.Steve would be over the moon and very, very proud.Congrats, Jan Halls
Denise Bonnell 16th November 2010 03:38:33 AEST
Congratulations to Terri and everyone at Australia Zoo. My heart will forever be with all of the excellent work Steve and Terri have done on behalf of wildlife. I am behind you all the way, Terri. You are doing a wonderful job raising your children and managing Australia Zoo. Steve would be so very proud of you!! Sending you lots of love! Denise
Luann 15th November 2010 23:02:10 AEST
Dear TerriThank you for all your dedication to conservation and keeping Steve's dream alive.
Nick White 15th November 2010 11:48:07 AEST
Congratulations well deserved, all the best for the future.