Over my 30 years at The Border Mail in Albury-Wodonga, Mr Fischer never failed to call back with a requested comment - sometimes it was hours later, but he always came through. If he couldn't phone, he would fax through his answers.

That was the type of person Tim Fischer was. Reliable, honourable, humble and always wanting to do the right thing.

It is just over 20 years ago that I was sent to cover his first press conference as acting Prime Minister at his Boree Creek property, a 90-minute drive from Albury. A new photographer took charge of the wheel and said he knew a short cut so we would be early or right on time for this national press call. But all did not go according to plan and we had to backtrack when the short cut proved to be anything but.

We walked into the national press conference in his lounge room red-faced and a few minutes late. It was noted by Mr Fischer, with a roll of his eye. Several high-flying city journalists gave us a smirky look that translated to "country bumpkins."

After the conference, Mr Fischer asked me to stay on and I was expecting a good telling off, deservingly so - after all, who is late for a prime minister's press conference? So, I apologised several times over and was told to take a seat and that he and Mrs Fischer wanted to do an interview. It was the exclusive story of their son Harrison and his autism which ran in The Border Mail the next day and later picked up several awards.

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The Fischers told their story in the hope it would explain Harrison's behaviour and give the community a better understanding of autism, a cause Judy Fischer has gone on to champion. As their story unfolded, we laughed and we cried as their devotion to Harrison and love of family shone bright.

Mr Fischer said at the time it had been difficult accepting his eldest son's condition but there were positives.

"I suppose as parents you just want to give your children a perfect world but even if not, I have learnt you can help them make the most of it," he said.

I left Boree Creek with an even greater respect for the Fischers and have watched Harrison live a fulfilling life thanks to the efforts of his parents, brother Dominic and many others. I also vowed never to agree to a short cut again.

Years later in 2004, I had to interview Mr Fischer, a train lover, about his experience on The Ghan's inaugural trip following the much-anticipated completion of the Alice Springs to Darwin track. It was a tight schedule, as I arrived Mr Fischer's train was ready to depart.

The Darwin station was crowded with thousands of people, a concert in full swing and the odd camel being paraded. Finally, I spotted a tall figure wearing his trademark Akubra hat heading along the station at a galloping pace. I ran and yelled out to him and quickly took down a few quotes before the train pulled out.

He was quite amused that I had run so fast to catch him and said it had been a long time since he was chased by a girl.

Mr Fisher had an extraordinary skill to remember people's names and circumstances. I watched him one day join a group of 12 and after formal introductions, he recalled all their names.

I once asked him his secret and he told me it was all about relating a name to a colour or piece of clothing and repeating it over and over. He was a master of it and had a genuine love of people. No matter where you saw Mr Fischer, if at all possible, he would have time for a chat or at least a cheery greeting with the doff of his hat.

A devoted family man, he gave so much of his life to making Australia a better place in his own unique quirky way. Wherever he went he made people feel good and that they were the important ones, never him - that was the type of man Tim Fischer was.

Sue Wallace is now a freelance journalist based in Albury.