In the shock address, Mr Baird cited the buy back of the BHP Caroona coal mine as a “hallmark achievement” during his two years and nine months in the top job.

It was bitter-sweet for our region’s farmers, whose livelihoods once lied in the hands of Mr Baird.

Farmers praised Mr Baird’s commitment to protecting the food bowl, but feared the neighbouring Shenhua mine may not follow a similar fate under the leadership of a new premier. Caroona farmer John Hampersum said the BHP mine buyback was a “fantastic result”, but until the Shenhua mine was dealt with, “the job’s not done”.

Now farmers hope he has paved the way for the next administration to complete the job.

Mr Baird took some dramatic steps in his time. 

His ill-conceived – and ultimately ill-fated – greyhound ban and forced council mergers were rightly savaged by voters in regional NSW and earned him a reputation as a city-centric leader.

Gunnedah-based Greyhound Breeders Owners and Trainers Association chairman Geoff Rose said greyhound connections around the state would be breathing a collective sigh of relief to see the back of the man who once threatened their livelihoods. 

But like Liverpool Plains farmers, he insisted the fight was not over. 

Mr Baird was seen a poster boy for conservatism and yet led the nation on medical marijuana reform.

He showed political courage by making the first move among premiers to legalise medical cannabis, after meeting the family of Tamworth local Dan Haslam, who was using it during his battle with bowel cancer.

Mr Baird was also the first Premier to ask the federal government to increase quotas for Syrian refugees.

In a political landscape awash with populism, polls and focus groups, Mr Baird forged his own path.

Mr Baird lasted less than three years in the job, and by that measure, he might be seen as a failure. But by other measures – decency, integrity, electability – he was an impressive figure. His decision to leave politics to spend more quality time with his ailing parents is consistent with those qualities.