The world of journalism lost one of its stalwarts this week with the passing of Graeme Hunt. Not only was he a brilliant writer and dogged researcher, he was an impassioned industry mentor - my first mentor to be exact.

Graeme took me under his wing as a student working part-time at the National Business Review. Under his tutelage I learnt to write confidently, extended my vocabulary (often debating the use of words that, in my naiveté, had never heard before) and became a fairly competent researcher.

I worked one-on-one with Graeme for many years with The Rich List, The Main Report (that he and I ran as a duo out of his home office) and completed background research for three of his books. I'll admit, at times, I had to exercise considerable patience working for him (which he would often, jokingly, acknowledge) but above all, I had the utmost respect for the man. He played an enormous role in my life and for that I am eternally grateful. 

To his wife Saluma, and children Robert and Ellen, my heartfelt condolences go out to you. Graeme will be sorely missed.