Bayswater Don

Local INdependeNT Voice for

Small Business

Green Spaces

Local ServICEs

Making Bayswater a great place to live and do business!

MEET DON

Donovan “Big Don” MacDonald is the Canadian-born, Perth-based pitmaster behind Big Don’s Smoked Meats, one of WA’s most awarded barbecue spots. Starting with backyard experiments in 2015, he built a cult following through Instagram pop-ups before opening his Bayswater warehouse venue serving Texas-style brisket, ribs, and sides sliced to order in a laid-back, tailgate-party atmosphere. His passion for authentic, wood-smoked meats has earned accolades including Casual Restaurant of the Year and a coveted Chef’s Hat.

Don has lived in Bayswater for years with his family and loves walking around Riverside Gardens, having dinner at King Somm and enjoying coffee at many delicious cafes. He loves this area and plans to live and work in Bayswater for the next two decades. He is motivated by a passion for making Baysie a great place to live and work.

In 2025, Don announced his run for Bayswater City Council, aiming to bring a small-business perspective to local government. Known for his straight-talking, community-driven approach, he’s as committed to building connections over barbecue as he is to tackling red tape in his hometown.

GET INVOLVED

Local elections are won IN THE STREETS.

Help DON Knock every Door in Baywater.

Don’s all about people. That’s why Big Don’s Smoked Meats has become a true community hub and why he’s always running charity drives. Now, we’re hitting the streets of Bayswater’s West Ward to share Don’s story and remind locals to vote.

We will have organised door knocks with other volunteers or you can pick up a pack and letterbox in your own time (maybe while walking the dog?).

Simply sign up and we’ll give you a call or text to check in on what works best for you!

If you need extra motivation: you’ll be on the list for a big feed at Don’s for the vollies (steps first, brisket later).

Are You a West Ward Voter?

We are running a series of events just for West Ward voters.

Think backyard barbecue with a focus on meeting your neighbours and talking about our community.

We want to keep these events exclusive to West Ward voters so you’ll need to bring proof of address (license, utility bill, etc.) when you arrive.

Sign up to get an invite: