Driving around Port Stephens on Saturday you could not miss that there was an election underway.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Schools and centres were emblazoned with election signage - from handmade cardboard signs to banners sprawling the length of fences - and the smell of sausages sizzling could be detected in the air.
Elections are a prime fundraising opportunity for P&Cs.
For the hundreds of volunteers and party faithfuls handing out how-to-vote cards, Saturday's high temperatures proved testing and hats, water bottles and sunscreen became a necessary accessory.
At Medowie Public School Steve Argent, handing out how-to-vote cards for Labor MP Kate Washington, cheerily called out "thank you for your votes, ladies and gentlemen, whichever way you voted" and "wear sunscreen".