Tributes predictably flowed when confirmation of the passing of soldier, politician, rail enthusiast, historian, overseas ambassador, husband and father of two, Tim Fischer, was delivered on Thursday.
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Mr Fischer, 73, died following a battle with cancer, which he first encountered in 2009.
But even in ailing health he was still fighting to make Australia a better place by raising awareness of the condition afflicting him, speaking out against a seemingly endless run of shooting tragedies in the US and the next piece of rail infrastructure to assist those who chose to live and work outside the capital cities.
Tributes for the Akubra wearing politician were led by Prime Minister Scott Morrison with an offer of a state funeral and also came from parliamentary foes.
OTHER TIM FISCHER TRIBUTES
He was initially a state politician before becoming the federal member for Farrer in 1984 before his retirement in 2001.
He made his mark in Canberra rising to the leadership of the National Party and deputy prime minister which included the occasional stint of running the country from his farm at Boree Creek.
Among his biggest political battles included convincing some of his own supporters to introduce tougher gun control measures following the Port Arthur massacre in 1996.
He and Prime Minister John Howard encountered massive backlash in regional Australia on stricter gun controls, particularly in Queensland, which gave rise to the One Nation party, but they didn't buckle and displayed true leadership in the face of fierce fire.
A lifelong interest in trains was forged as a young child on the family farm and the many long trips he made on trains to boarding school in Melbourne.
Even after his career in politics ended, Mr Fischer remained in the public spotlight in roles ranging from Tourism Australia chairman and Ambassador to the Holy See in Rome.
His wife Judy and sons Dominic and Harrison were always supportive of his many and varied passions in community and personal life.
Vale "Two Minute Tim".
