By Parker McKenzie
People might think Shane Warne is Ferntree Gully’s most famous export, however, there is another who might challenge him for the title.
On Steve Irwin’s 60th birthday, this newspaper was made aware he may have been born in Upper Ferntree Gully. There is some debate, however, over whether this is true or not.
Some sources – such as the IMBD database – place Mr Irwin’s birthplace as Essendon, which is again listed in his BBC obituary.
Adding fuel to this fire, Mr Irwin’s older sister Joy Muscillo told the Sydney Morning Herald in 2002 the family had left the Ferntree Gully house and moved to Essendon before he was born.
On the contrary, during a concert at Australia Zoo in 2007, Terri Irwin confirmed her husband was born in Ferntree Gully.
“He was born in Upper Ferntree Gully,” she said.
“We always loved coming south of the border because you’ve got the best tiger snakes.”
Mr Irwin himself said his love of nature began in Upper Ferntree Gully, an area surrounded by dangerous snakes.
Several sources list Mr Irwin’s birthplace as the William Angliss Hospital in Upper Ferntree Gully, which possibly could explain the discrepancy between Mr Irwin’s wife and sister’s accounts if he was born at the hospital while the family had already moved to Essendon.
If Mr and Mrs Irwin believe he was born in Upper Ferntree Gully, it is probably enough for the suburb to claim him as one of their own.
