Renowned rail devotee Tim Fischer has been honoured with a special commemorative plaque at Albury Railway Station a year after the former deputy prime minister died, aged 73.
Hundreds of people lined the platform of Albury Railway Station last August as a heritage train carrying his coffin pulled into the station with a round of applause before his state funeral in the NSW border town.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said on Saturday Mr Fischer was a tireless advocate for rail transport and it was fitting to have him commemorated at the historic station he frequented often.
“Tim was a rail man through and through. He studied railway gauges and after retiring from politics was the special envoy for the Adelaide to Darwin railway line and travelled on the first Ghan to Darwin in 2004,” Toole said.
“Albury Station was a special place for him in his later years where he hosted a three series local radio podcast The Great Train Show.
“A statesman and a gentleman, Tim was a true friend to the people of bush and was held in high esteem by people across the political divide. His legacy will continue to benefit regional Australians for generations to come.”
Fischer was National Party leader from 1990 to 1999. He was deputy prime minister in the Howard government from 1996 to 1999.
He was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia AC in 2005 in recognition of his contributions to Australian politics, trade liberalisation, rail transport development, support of humanitarian aid and to fostering community acceptance of cultural differences.
