Today, former deputy prime minister of Australia, Tim Fischer, passed away after a 10-year battle with leukemia. He was a rare breed of politician who just doesn’t seem to exist these days.

After he left politics, Tim pursued personal interests and fortunately for the organisation I work for, the Crop Trust, one of those passions was fighting to ensure food security in times of a changing climate. He became a very inspirational chair of our executive board and devoted whatever energy he could spare to work with us, despite his struggle with cancer.

He’s my political hero not as much for his work with us in crop diversity but because he took our guns away in Australia. I had lived in Australia less than a year when the government led by John Howard and Tim made a very politically dangerous decision to orchestrate a massive gun buyback. I gained immediate respect for Tim’s courage and wisdom to do what’s right and just wished there were more politicians like him.

On Thursday, the Aussie meat pie food truck stops at the United Nations campus. I went today and had a pulled pork pie, mash and a bottle of Bundaberg ginger beer. I thought of Tim and wished he could have joined me once again for a taste of Australia on the Rhine. Australia has indeed lost one of its best today.