5:46pm
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Here is an interesting read for your Saturday evening. Find out how votes in rural areas could prove crucial in the outcome of the 2016 federal #election here.
4:57pm
Did we snap a photo of you while out and about on #election day in the Wingecarribee Shire? #auspol
Tag a friend if you spot them in our gallery here.
4:38pm
Check out a gallery of images from the 2016 federal election campaign here
4:31pm - Moss Vale
WE have entered the last few hours for voting in the 2016 federal election.
The line was long for voting all day at the Moss Vale polling booth, which was located next to the council offices.
To complement the voting action, the Moss Vale Country Women's Association (CWA) branch set up a cake stall this morning.
The stall proved very popular with the local community.
Moss Vale CWA president Jennifer Bowe said the items, all homemade, sold well today.
"We set up at 8am this morning and all funds raised go to the CWA Association of NSW."
4:24pm
Southern Highland News journalists Claire Fenwicke and Josh Bartlett give an update on election day in the Wingecarribee Shire:
https://www.facebook.com/Southern-Highland-News-285308274050/
4.08pm
NO matter who you voted for today, the real big winner was food in the Wingecarribee Shire.
The Hume and Whitlam electorates had polling booths across the shire, which offered a wide variety of cuisine for everyone.
There were sausage sizzles, cake stalls and fresh local produce available at different polling booths.
3:15pm - Mittagong
THE line to vote is still long at the polling booth based at Mittagong Public School.
Voters from in the Hume and Whitlam electorates can vote at the school.
Helen and Peter Doherty said they had researched policies online to help them decide who to vote for.
"We've looked online and viewed YouTube videos," Mr Doherty said.
"We're looking at what's important to us, in terms of schools, education and families."
Karen Anderson said she couldn't believe it was election day.
"I think we're all relieved, but all of a sudden it's here," she said.
The Mittagong Public School's parents and citizens committee (P and C) members were working hard, selling books and cooking sausages, eggs and bacon for voters.
President of the P and C Jennifer White said the money raised would go into a fund that would be given to the school at the end of the year.
"Last year we gave $20,000 to the school for tablets," she said.
"This year we're not sure what we'll fund, but we're always looking at new sports equipment."
2:20pm
HAVE you come across anything 'punny' or interesting has you've voted today?
2:00pm
SITTING member for Whitlam Stephen Jones has been travelling to polling centres across the electorate today.
He visited Bowral, Mittagong, Moss Vale and Robertson before heading down to the coast.
Mr Jones said he had a "positive feeling" from voters.
"I think it's going well, I'm pleased with the responses I've been getting from the booths," he said.
"I don't want to preempt these things, but we'll know in about six to seven hours."
1:00pm - Bundanoon
THE line stretched down the street as residents of Bundanoon lined up to cast their votes.
Voters seemed to be relieved the election campaign was "finally" over.
Pat Hall said she had become "sick" of watching election ads on television.
"I just wish it didn't go for eight weeks, I stopped watching TV by the end of it," she said.
"I'm grateful to live in a country where I can vote and have a say in the government that manages the country."
Alex Howen said lining up to vote brought the community together.
"I can think of very few events that bring a community together like election day," he said.
"It's a time when people come together and discuss different views in a civilised way."
First time voter India Brown, with her friend Helen Lenane, was nervous about casting her vote.
"In all honesty, I'm sick of the lot of them talking smack about each other," she said.
"I want them to explain what their policies will do for us, not tell me the reasons why I shouldn't vote for someone else."
Two Bundanoon Public School students, Harry and Patrick (both in Year 6), were also on the scene, selling raffle tickets and cakes to raise money for new school resources and a new park.
12:30pm - Exeter
IT was a doggy affair at the Exeter polling centre.
River Wilkes and Indiana (12) brought their dogs along to vote, and ended up becoming dog minders for other voters as well.
"We're trying to get them to vote, but it's proving difficult," Mr Wilkes said.
At the entrance of the polling centre, representatives from the Exeter Public School parents and citizens association were selling goods to raise money.
Stall minder Greer Worsley said the money would be used to assist the second stage of the school kitchen, which was in the process of being built.
"We're selling cakes and jams made by families of the school, and fresh produce as well," Ms Worsley said.
11:30am
WANT to know what's happening nationally with the election? Find out here
10:15am
UNSURE how to vote in this election? Find out how to vote for the Senate and House of Representatives here
9:45am - Bowral
VOLUNTEERS set up early in Bowral to score prime position on Election Day.
Member for Cootamundra Katrina Hodgkinson and her husband Jack Saeck were handing out information leaflets for Nationals candidate, Jan Mandelson.
Mr Saeck said his wife insisted on arriving at the Bowral polling centre at 6.30am.
"She wanted us to have prime position today," he said.
"I think the true feel of this booth is that Jan is winning the Bowral booth."
Ms Hodgkinson said she thought people had a "positive feeling" about Mrs Mandelson.
"She has worked hard and covered a lot of ground throughout this electorate," Ms Hodgkinson said.
"I think she's had a great campaign and I'm happy to lend a hand."
Councillor Graham McLaughlin was handing out leaflets for sitting member Stephen Jones.
He said voters needed to think about policy before they voted.
"It is hard [for Labor] to win these booths in the Southern Highlands, as this is a conservative area," he said.
"A lot of people need to think about the Coalition's extended freeze on Medicare before they vote today."
Greens volunteer Ros Morgan said there was a lot of light banter between the volunteers, despite the chill.
"There is a lot of camaraderie here, despite all of us being from different parties," she said.
The Rotary Club set up at 8.00am, and will be selling steak, sausages, hot dogs and drinks throughout the day.
Rotary member Catherine Hussey said there was a positive feeling at the Bowral booth.
"Everyone seems to be happy to be out on this lovely day," she said.
The funds raised at the Rotary Club BBQ in Bowral will assist with the building of a school building and birthing centre in Vanuatu.
9:00am
THE Wingecarribee Shire is shared between two electorates - Hume and Whitlam.
The Southern Highland News aims to keep voters up to speed with the happenings in both electorates in its 2016 Federal election blog.
One of the key things to know is the electorate boundaries. These are outlined in the above maps.
Where to vote:
The election day polling booths will be located at:
HUME
- Bargo: Bargo Community Hall, Radnor Road
- Bundanoon: Bundanoon Public School, Church Street
- Canyonleigh: Canyonleigh New Fire Shed, Canyonleigh Road
- Colo Vale: Colo Vale Community Centre, Railway Parade
- Exeter: Exeter Public School, 47-59 School Lane
- Hill Top: Hill Top Public School, Linda Street
- Mittagong: Mittagong Public School, 21 Pioneer Street
- Wingello: Wingello Mechanics Institute Hall, Railway Parade
- Yerrinbool: Yerrinbool Community Hall, Everest Street
WHITLAM
- Berrima: Berrima Public School, Oxley Street
- Bowral: Bowral Memorial Hall, 26 Bendooley Street
- Bowral East: East Bowral Community Centre, 71 Boardman Road
- Bowral South: Bowral High School, Park Road
- Burrawang: Burrawang Public School, corner of Church and Hoddle Street
- Glenquarry: Glenquarry Public School, 35 Tourist Road
- Mittagong: Mittagong Public School, 21 Pioneer Street
- Mittagong South: Mittagong Pre-School Kindergarten, corner of Oxley Street and Waverley Parade
- Moss Vale: Moss Vale Public School, 12 Browley Street
- Moss Vale: Civic Centre Theatrette, Donkin Avenue
- Robertson: Robertson School of Arts, 55 Hoddle Street
- Sutton Forest: Sutton Forest Village Hall, 7414 Illawarra Highway
To see the full list, visit http://www.aec.gov.au/About_AEC/cea-notices/election-pp.htm
Candidates:
There are six candidates to vote for in the electorate of Hume and six candidates to vote for in the electorate of Whitlam.
The candidates for Hume are:
- Angus Taylor (Liberal)
- Aoife Champion (Labor)
- Michaela Sherwood (Greens)
- Adrian Van Der Byl (Christian Democratic Party)
- Trevor Anthoney (Bullet Train for Australia)
- Lindsay Cosgrove (Citizen's Electorate Council)
Full profiles on the candidates can be found here: http://www.southernhighlandnews.com.au/story/3997542/hume-candidates/?cs=5253
The candidates for Whitlam are:
- Stephen Jones (Labor)
- Jan Mandelson (Nationals)
- Marcus Hewitt (Liberal)
- Tom Hunt (Greens)
- Wayne Hartman (Non-Custodial Paretns Party, or Equal Parenting Party)
- Susan Pinsuti (Christian Democratic Party)
Full profiles of the candidates can be found here: http://www.southernhighlandnews.com.au/story/3997578/whitlam-candidates/?cs=5253