Words by Cassandra Botros, pictures by Alistair Bett

In a ceremony, usually intimate and held at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, represen­tatives from Finland travelled 15,000 kilometres to tap a Tasmanian forestry professional on the shoulder.

Bob Gordon, Finland’s Honorary Consul in Tasmania since 2016, was awarded the decoration Knight, First Class, of the Order of the Lion of Finland – conferred by President Alexander Stubb in his ca­pacity as Grand Master of the Order. The decoration recognises significant work in strengthening ties between Finland and Australia’s island state. But it also signals something larger: Finland’s increasing bond with Australia, and Tasmania as a node of advanced industry, research and maritime capability.

“National symbols matter,” Finnish Ambassador Arto Haapea told the guests, including the Governor of Tasmania, Her Excellency the Honourable Barbara Baker AC, and senior state officials and parlia­mentarians. Finland’s orders of merit were created soon after independence and both world wars. Today, they are instruments of diplomacy, also allowing Finland to honour foreign nationals whose work advances the Republic’s interests abroad.

Finland and Tasmania, the Ambassador ob­served, are “about as far from each other as two places can be on this globe of ours. Yet the parallels are striking: small populations, export-oriented economies, and abilities to handle harsh climates.”

Mr Gordon’s career in forestry made him a natural bridge. Finland is a “bioeconomy powerhouse”; Tasmania is a forestry state delving into sustainability, innovation and global markets. “Bob has worked tireless­ly to bring together Finnish and Tasma­nian businesses,” Ambassador Haapea said, citing not only forestry but research, technology and shipbuilding.

The most visible fruit of that work will soon glide across Bass Strait. Mr Gordon played a pivotal role in facilitating the construction in Finland of Tasmania’s new Spirit of Tasmania ferries – state-of-the-art vessels that will serve the Bass Strait for decades.

“Bob is a modest, hard-working man,” Ambassador Haapea said. “He likes to work in the background, keep things moving in the right direction, and make a strong impact”. The influential figures in the audience underscored the high regard in which he is held.

Mr Gordon thanked all those who supported him in becoming an active Honorary Consul, including the Finnish community in Tasmania who made him feel welcome and included, the staff at the Finnish Embassy, and in particular His Excellency Arto Haapea for his support and guidance. He also thanked his wife, Dr Dianne Snowden AM, family, and friends who have always supported him in his endeavours, describing the award as “a huge honour and privilege”.

Bob Gordon is a seasoned Chief Execu­tive and Non-Executive Board member with 40 years in the forestry and natural resources sector. Since 1991, he has held senior executive roles, including Forestry Commissioner and Managing Director/ CEO of Forestry Tasmania from 2006 to 2013. His leadership greatly impacted the industry, and he served as President of the Institute of Foresters of Australia from 2015 to 2023. He is currently Chair of Australian Forest and Wood Innovations. Bob is also a dedicated community leader, holding roles as Deputy Chair of MyState Limited, President of Football Federation Tasmania, and Chair of the Supported Affordable Accommodation Trust.

“The connections between Finland and Tasmania are strong not only through Finnish company RMC’s supply of the new state-of-the-art Spirit of Tasmania vessels, but also in areas such as the bioeconomy and forest and land manage­ment,” Bob said. “We have much to learn from each other, and continued engage­ment is of benefit to both parties”.

In Ambassador Haapea presenting the decoration of Knight, First Class, of the Order of the Lion of Finland to Bob Gordon, Helsinki affirms that even at the far edge of the map, Tasmanians and what community members do, matters.