It’s official. Bob Gordon, the long-time champion of Tasmanian and Australian forestry, is a First-Class Knight, after Alexander Stubb, the Finnish President, bestowed the decoration Knight, First Class, of the Order of the Lion of Finland on the veteran forester on Friday.
Gordon, who has been Finland’s Honorary Consul to Tasmania since 2016, has been instrumental in strengthening Finland’s ties with Tasmania, particularly in advanced industries (including in forestry and bioproducts), research, and maritime capability.
Appropriately awarded at the Forest – the University of Tasmania’s new timber-domed masterpiece – Gordon was recognised before a crowd of dignitaries, including the Governor of Tasmania, the Honourable Barbara Baker AC, and senior state officials and parliamentarians.
In his remarks, Arto Haapea, Finland’s ambassador to Australia, said Gordon’s career in forestry made him a natural bridge despite more than 15,000 kilometres of separation: “Finland is a bioeconomy powerhouse; Tasmania is a forestry state delving into sustainability, innovation and global markets,” the ambassador said.
In accepting the high prize, Gordon thanked those who supported him in becoming an active honorary consul, “including the Finnish community in Tasmania that has made me feel welcome and included, the staff at the Finnish Embassy and in particular His Excellency Arto Haapea for his support and guidance,” he told Wood Central today. “I would also like to thank my wife, Dr Dianne Snowden AM, family and friends who have always supported me in my endeavours.”
“The connections between Finland and Tasmania are strong, not just through the supply by the Finnish company RMC of the new state-of-the-art Spirit of Tasmania vessels but also in areas such as the bio economy and Forest and land management,” Gordon stressed. “We have much to learn from each other, and continuing engagement is of benefit to both parties.”
Gordon, who began his career with the Tasmanian Forestry Commission in the late 1970’s, has been a key figure in shaping the direction of Australian forestry and forest science for decades, including in his current role as chair of Australia’s Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI) research and development program, which, through projects like The Precinct and the Fibre and Fuels project, are creating new and highly valuable pathways for Australia’s forest fibre.
The latest honour comes months after Gordon was awarded the N.W. Jolly Medal, Forestry Australia’s highest honour, during Forestry Australia’s National Conference in Adelaide, in recognition of a career that saw Gordon help lead the merger of the Institute of Foresters of Australia and the Australian Forest Growers in 2021.
- To learn more about Bob Gordon, click here for Jim Bowden’s exclusive interview with Bob from July 2023 – including his passion for Australian forestry.
