Terri Irwin will accept a special award on behalf of her late husband at tomorrow night’s 2006 Queensland Tourism Awards, Tourism Minister Margaret Keech announced today.

Mrs Keech said she would present a special trophy and framed certificate to Terri Irwin during the annual awards ceremony at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

“I am honoured to be presenting Terri with this special award to formally acknowledge the Outstanding Contribution to Tourism made by Steve Irwin over the past decade,” Mrs Keech said.

“We decided many months ago to recognise Steve with this special award to express the gratitude of the Queensland tourism industry for his tremendous support, enthusiasm and success in attracting visitors from around the world to visit our state.

“Sadly, Steve’s untimely and tragic death meant we weren’t able to honour him as we planned.

“We have invited Terri to accept the award on his behalf and we hope that she, the Irwin family and all the staff at Australia Zoo will share our pride in paying this special tribute.”

Steve Irwin’s manager and friend John Stainton said: “Terri is extremely proud to be invited to accept this award on behalf of Steve and she is more committed than ever to carrying on the great work that he has done promoting our wonderful state of Queensland.”

Mrs Keech said an emotional tribute to the late conservation and tourism champion would be included during the awards ceremony.

“Daniel McGahan will be performing the song ‘To Change This World’, which he sang with such passion during Steve’s memorial service,” Mrs Keech said.

“There will also be a moving audiovisual tribute on the night that I am sure will remind us all just how special and unique Steve was.”

Around 1,200 people are expected to attend the ceremony to see which of the nearly 200 entrants from around Queensland will be honoured in 28 diverse categories.

Media Inquiries: David Smith 3225 1005, Louise Yates 3535 5349 / 0403 713 176 (Tourism Queensland) or John Stainton on 0411 884 499.