Meet Team Finland's Ross Norgard, the Honorary Consul General for Finland in WA, Australia

This series includes a quick questionnaire to help you get to know Team Finland's network of people promoting Finland in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. In this edition, we introduce Ross Norgard, Honorary Consul General for Finland in Western Australia.

Ross Norgard was appointed as an Honorary Consul General on 1 April 2014. Ross’ strong connection to Finland through his Finnish heritage makes him a proud Consul General.

Ross’ passion is sailing and boating. He owns a 1972 Finnish built 40’ Nautor Swan designed by Sparkman and Stephens in which he and his team won the coveted Governors Cup. When he is not sailing, he assists Finns with their business queries and connects them with a vast array of contacts he has earned over a 45-year-corporate career in Western Australia. He describes Finns having a reliable, honest and direct approach to life, with a quirky sense of humour – he calls it the “no nonsense Finn” approach.

Ross is a father to four children and a grandfather to four grandchildren. He lives in Perth and is available 24/7 to assist a Finn in need!

1. If you could be a movie of your choice, what movie would you choose and what character would you play?

National Lampoon’s European Vacation(Link to another website.). I would play Arthur Griswald (Chevy Chase).

2. If you were down to your last $20, how would you spend it?

I would buy a double shot gin and tonic. I would prefer a triple shot but that is $30.

3. What is the funniest thing that has happened to you lately?

I was asked to answer these ten questions!

4.How do you fit a giraffe in the fridge?

One leg at a time leaving room for the neck.

5. If you were to trade places with someone else for a month, living or dead, famous or not, fictional or real, whom would you like that person to be?

It would have to be Winston Churchill, my absolute hero.

6. What is the most interesting holiday you have ever had and where was that?

Going to Böle near Vaasa to visit the home of my great grandfather Johan Norgard who came to Australia in 1875.

7. If you could speak to one type of animal, what would it be?

An ape so we could both ponder where we came from.

8. Name a song that best describes you

My way by Frank Sinatra.

9. Best sandwich ever. What is on it?

Bacon, egg and spinach as well as BBQ sauce.

10.What would you do with your 15 minutes of fame?

Walk barefooted in a dinner suit on the Academy Awards Red Carpet night.

 

Please note honorary consuls do not accept passport applications nor do they handle matters pertaining to visas or residence permits.