Tasmania's newly-appointed 29th Governor has been awarded one of the country's highest honours.
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Barbara Baker AC has been appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours.
The former judge of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia was recognised for eminent service to the people of Tasmania through leading contributions to the law, to the judiciary and to the administration of justice, particularly in the area of family law, to professional legal organisations, and as a mentor and role model for young women, and most recently as the 29th Governor appointed in Tasmania.
Honoured to receive the award, Ms Baker said she had worked hard to not only succeed, but make changes in a male-dominated profession.
"I enjoyed the challenges of trying to change the practices among my eight male partners of then 98-year-old law firm Murdoch Clarke," she said.
"I believe that I steered change in attitudes towards female employees and more flexible work practices. While only for a short period, I enjoyed the camaraderie of my time at the Tasmanian Independent Bar and the flexibility it offered.
"I also appreciated the circuit work around Australia in my judicial position. This enabled me to experience regional differences in practice. I equally appreciated being able to make changes in the practice of lawyers appearing before me in Tasmania, with increasing efficiency for the benefit of litigants."
During her distinguished career, Ms Baker was the first Tasmanian woman to become a Federal Magistrate in 2008, and prior to that appointment had worked as a legal professional for more than 23 years, specialising in family law.
She was also one of the first lawyers to join the Tasmanian Bar exclusively practising family law.
"Over many years in legal practice, I particularly enjoyed acting as an independent children's lawyer representing children, often at risk, and trying to make a positive difference to their futures," Ms Baker said.
"Family law disputes affect so many people, and it is rewarding to help people at what can be the most difficult time of their lives."
Retiring as a judge in January this year, she will officially take up her new position as Governor on Wednesday.
She will be the second woman Governor in Tasmania, following on from Professor Kate Warner.
Beyond her professional career, she is a wife, mother to two daughters, and grandmother to two grandsons, and a champion tennis player.
She has also been involved in state and national hockey teams.
"I acknowledge and thank all the teams of staff I have worked with as a lawyer at Simmons Wolfhagen, the Office of the Solicitor General, and Murdoch Clarke," she said.
"I also extend my thanks to all my colleagues at the Federal Circuit Court of Australia. Without all this support, I could not have achieved this award. Last but not least, I thank my husband Donald who has always supported me in my career, as I have him."
