DEMOCRACY has a particular smell on election days - a mix of sausages sizzling, cakes fresh from the oven and the crisp tang of community spirit.
Grab that spare change on your way out the door to vote in Saturday's state election and support the local schools and charities setup with tasty treats at many Hunter polling booths.
That is the message from the volunteers manning the barbecues and the change drawer on the weekend.
"We usually get a huge crowd," Waratah Public School Parents and Citizens Association president Rachel Garner said.
The school has opted for democracy sausages this year with a team of more than 20 teachers, parents and past and present students helping to cook up about 350 snags.
The school is raising money to upgrade sports facilities including resurfacing the basketball court.
"All the money goes directly back into the school community," she said.
"The additional support really makes a difference to the students. That bit of spare change for a sausage sandwich directly helps us to fund the best quality school experience for our kids."
With the election so close to Easter, many organisations will also be pounding the pavement to sell raffle tickets.
Check out the list of election booths with baked goods and sausage sizzles below. To add your stall to the list email news@newcastleherald.com.au
DEMOCRACY SLICE AND SAUSAGE LOCATIONS:
- Cardiff North Public School - BBQ
- Belmont Public - BBQ and bake sale
- Hillsborough Public - BBQ
- Charlestown Public - BBQ and bake sale
- Valentine Public School - BBQ and bake sale
- Fassifern Public - BBQ and bake sale
- Wallsend South Public - BBQ and bake sale
- Garden Suburb Public - BBQ and bake sale
- Floraville Public School - BBQ
- Waratah Public School - BBQ
- Mayfield Church of Christ - Mayfield West Demonstration School - BBQ and bake sale
- Mayfield East Public School - BBQ
- Mayfield Presbyterian Church - Free BBQ
- Carrington Public School - BBQ and bake sale
- Hamilton Public School - BBQ and bake sale
- The Junction Public School - BBQ and bake sale
- Merewether Heights Public School - BBQ and bake sale
- Garden Suburb Public School - BBQ
- Elermore Vale Public School - BBQ, coffee van and bake sale
- Eleebana Public School - BBQ, coffee van and bake sale
- Jewells Primary School - BBQ and bake sale
- Raymond Terrace Public School - BBQ and bake sale
- Branxton Community Hall - Branxton Preschool - BBQ
