How Mawson marches on its stomach

Get to know an expeditioner: Donna (chef extraordinaire)

Name: Donna Wightman

Nicknames: Chef

From: New Zealand

Previous seasons?

Four winter seasons for AAD and three winter seasons for New Zealand Scott Base

Job title: Winter chef

Describe your role in two sentences:

To feed, look after, give surprise dishes and to make sure all our food supply last until the next resupply.

What do you like about your job?

I’ve been a chef for 30 years and by far this is the best job. I get to use all my skills from bread baking, pastries, salads, to main dishes as well as catering for special dietary requirements.

What did you do before your joined the AAD?

Chef in the mining industries for 6 years.

What is your favourite part of your job here at Mawson?

I have two favourite parts of my job; one is brunch and the other is special nights, for example theme nights or a formal dinner. Apart from loving being a chef at Mawson Station it’s all about the penguins and seals. They are truly amazing to see and be able to visit them in their own environment is truly breathtaking

How does this season at Mawson compare to your previous seasons down south? This season is one of my top three seasons.

What do you like to do in your spare time? Go to the gym and sauna, hobby hut, knitting and watch TV series.

What is your favourite hut for field trips and why? The RMIT van at Colbeck becuase it’s so warm and you can sit up and read a book and the beds are long.

Favourite piece of Australian Antarctic Division kit? The Sorel boots.

What is your typical 'Slushy FM' genre? Do you have a particular favourite?

I’m a big fan of country music, but also a big fan of totally random music of all genres.

Do you have a favourite quote that you’d like to leave us with? #Be Best #Don’t Die

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