Hughes Federal Election 2019: Residents in east Liverpool go to the polls

They aren’t yet old enough to vote, but Holsworthy High School students Melis Salih and Brittney Robinson are changing the world one cupcake at a time. Check out all the colour of election day here.

Holsworthy High School students Melis Salih and Brittney Robinson at the cake stall on election day. Pictures: Cindy Ngo

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They aren’t yet old enough to vote, but Holsworthy High School students Melis Salih and Brittney Robinson are changing the world one cupcake at a time.

The Year 12 students were up early on Saturday to greet voters at the school gates with a selection of baked goods, including 200 cupcakes they baked over two days.

The election day cake stall also included brownies made by teachers and lamingtons and gluten-free cakes donated by parents from the school community.

All funds raised will go towards the Mbuyu Foundation, a registered non-government organisation that aims to empower people in vulnerable communities in Uganda with the skills to change their lives.

The election day cake stall included cupcakes, brownies, cookies and lamingtons.

Brittney, 17, said it was a cause close to her heart and the cake stall was an opportunity to make a difference.

“My aunty and my uncle are the founders. My uncle is an African orphan. He lost his mum during childbirth so he’s now a surgeon for childbirth and he helps women over there give birth,” she said.

“A lot of women die during childbirth in Uganda and also my aunty’s whole dream was to help people in Uganda and Africans and help them have a better start to life.”

Melis, 17, said it was good to raise money for a “special cause”, especially because she was observing Ramadan.

“This is the perfect time to do something for the school and for my religion as well,” she said.

“It’s not just about the money, it’s about raising awareness, getting people aware of what’s going on.

“We can’t change the world but we can change people’s lives and that’s just as good.”

Parent Glenn Pritchard and students help out with the sausage sizzle at Holsworthy High School on election day.

Holsworthy High School’s P&C also organised a sausage sizzle, with all ingredients sourced from local businesses.

Nearby Wattle Grove Community Centre was abuzz with activity as residents queued to cast their votes.

Labor candidate for Hughes Diedree Steinwall and Animal Justice Party candidate Gae Constable handed pamphlets to voters in a final bid to win support.

Labor candidate for Hughes Diedree Steinwall at Wattle Grove Community Centre on election day.

Animal Justice Party candidate Gae Constable at Wattle Grove Community Centre on election day.

Ms Steinwall said the reception had been positive.

“I realise that it’s described as a safe Liberal seat with a 9.3 per cent margin but I’m giving it a go,” she said.

“This is my second go at Hughes and this time I’m even more encouraged because I think there are so many important issues for the country where my opponent and I differ so remarkably.”

Ms Steinwall said her priorities included looking at the effects of the Moorebank Intermodal, climate change, early education and health, among others.

Ms Constable said there had been a “groundswell of change” with voters recognising the importance animal welfare and climate change.

“There seems to be more recognition and more appreciation of the fact that there is a party that cares about animals and climate change and particularly live export as well.”

Wattle Grove resident Stephen Grindley said the two major parties were as bad as each other.

Mr Grindley said it was important to keep the economy “ticking over” and to give Australians a fair go.

Hughes federal Liberal MP Craig Kelly has held the seat since 2010.