Mrs Johnston has been baking for the council meetings since her husband Harold – now Mayor – was first elected to council.

She estimates she has baked around 80-90 cakes for the meetings.

“Because the council runs on a such a low budget and tries to cut costs whenever they can, the councillors don’t have a hot meal after the meeting like some other councils do,” Mrs Johnston said.

“I started to make the cakes to augment the sandwiches the councillors have after the meeting and it just stuck.

“Sometimes it’s a date cake, caramel cake, lemon yogurt or banana with caramel icing or sometimes a bit more of a healthy one.

“I usually get a message to let me know which one has been popular  – the plate always come back empty.”

Dungog Shire Council’s General Manager Craig Deasey said the Mayoress baking a cake for the council meetings certainly was something different in Local Government.

“Elaine’s cakes are very popular and very much appreciated,” he said.

“It’s just good country cooking which Elaine is very good at.”

The Mayor of Dungog has no car, no Mayoral robes or chains and no designated office within the council chambers.

As surely as Mrs Johnston will have a cake freshly baked for the end of the council meetings, residents with council issues know they can find the Mayor at a local coffee shop every morning at 10am.

“I've had no secretarial services as Mayor so Elaine does all that too,” said Cr Johnston.

Mrs Johnston said she doesn't worry about titles, but has thoroughly enjoyed her time as Mayoress over the past six years.

“You meet lots of nice people, there are so many wonderful  volunteers,” she said.

Mrs Johnston is a volunteer herself, regularly assisting with activities at the nursing home and helping with Meals on Wheels.