Phil Donato: member for Orange, father of five boys, sports tragic, and trained as a pastry chef in a former life

What do you do for a living and what do you love about it?

I’m the local member of parliament for the seat of Orange in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly. The best thing I love about my job is getting to represent the constituents across the Orange electorate; we are in one of the most beautiful parts of New South Wales, if not Australia. It’s a real honour and privilege to be able to do that.

Where is your favourite quiet place in Orange?

I love going to Lake Canobolas. It’s great to go for a walk or sit at the café and have a coffee or a bite to eat. We’ll have a fish on one of the pontoons out there; I enjoy fishing as well. Another place I love is going mountain biking at Glenwood State Forest just out near Lidster. I enjoy that, too, it’s just a really good opportunity to just relax and zone-out in a beautiful, pristine environment.

Describe your ideal day out in Orange?

I’d definitely start off with a nice breakfast in one of our many great cafés that we’ve got around town. I enjoy exercising, training, and fitness, so I’d probably head out to the forest with my electrically-assisted mountain bike, and go for a ride on our wonderful mountain bike path that we’ve got there. Then I’d stop somewhere nice for lunch, at one of the vineyards we’re very fortunate to have on our doorstep that have terrific food. I won’t name a specific one because we’re fortunate to have so many! But after lunch and a few drinks at a winery I think I’d go to a local rugby league or union game, then finish with dinner at one of our pubs with my family.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

I suppose, just believe in yourself and believe in your capabilities and what you can achieve. Don’t let self-doubt prevent you from doing anything!

If you were running for mayor, what would your campaign slogan be?

“Let’s make our town the best in Australia!”