“MY MATE STEVE IRWIN – LIFE BEFORE THE CROCODILE HUNTER”
My Mate Steve Irwin – Life Before the Crocodile Hunter is the story of one of Australia’s best
known and loved icons: the late Steve Irwin. The new book, which goes on sale tomorrow, December
1st, 2009 has already sold out of its first print run in pre-orders.
The Australian public know all about the famous Steve Irwin – the risk taking, reptile obsessed,
internationally-acclaimed conservationist, owner of Australia Zoo, devoted husband and father of two
from Queensland. But few know about the life that preceded his celebrity: His early croc catches; his
surfing prowess; his wild partying and his close mateship with Tony Frisby.
To mark the launch, the book’s authors, Tony Frisby and Julie Gatehouse will be available for media
interviews and also appearing alongside Bob Irwin (who wrote the a touching foreword to the book) at
special book signings:
Sydney – TUESDAY, December 1st at Borders, Bondi Junction Westfield L4
Sunshine Coast on SATURDAY, December 5th - 11AM at Angus & Robertson, Sunshine
Plaza Maroochydore (The River Walk Stage near MacDonald’s) and 1PM at Angus &
Robertson, Kawana Shoppingworld.
In My Mate Steve Irwin, Frisby and Gatehouse deliver a warm-hearted account of life with ‘Stevo’
before his fame; of youthful pursuits, outback adventures, reptile chasing, sports, mateship and building
the now famous reptile/crocodile enclosure and shows of Australia Zoo.
Colourful Aussie bloke, Tony Frisby tells of his extraordinary mate before the khaki, crikey and
controversy! It’s a dramatic Aussie tale of knockabout guys in “The ‘Fris’ and ‘Stevo’ years” aged 15 to
30 (and their Staffie dogs), a pair bonded by friendship and conservation ... and a few rums around the
campfire.
Tony is the only teenage friend of Steve’s to talk in depth following Steve’s death in September 2006.
The book was a difficult decision, but Tony has the support of other old friends of the pair and of
Steve’s dad, Bob Irwin, who also wants people to appreciate the ‘real Steve’.
My Mate Steve Irwin is published by Longueville Books and will be in store from December 1 2009, RRP
$29.95. Available in all leading bookstores including Angus & Robertson, Dymocks and Borders, as well
ENDS
Notes to Editor: MEDIA INTERVIEWS
Tony and Julie will be in Sydney on December 1st for any Sydney-based interviews and in
Brisbane on December 3rd and on Sunshine Coast December 2nd, 4th and 5th 2009. They are
available for phone interviews any time.
For more information or if you have not received a copy of the book and would like to request
one, please contact Sophie Cross at PR Chicks on 0421 996810 or email
sophie@prchicks.com.au
NEWS 
