Swapping soft drink for beer: Gee talks Nats, a Labor majority and the next three years

The same could not be said for the rest of his watch party at the Orange City Bowling Club where drinks were flowing soon after polling closed at 6pm.

Following a tough campaign a year-and-a-half after his defection from The National Party, many were keen to relax "with a cold brew" as they watched the votes trickle in.

"I just wanted to get over the line before we celebrated," Mr Gee said of his decision to wait.

But the independent politician wasn't sure he'd be afforded that opportunity on Saturday night.

Despite polling indicating Mr Gee would come out on top, he anticipated having to sweat out a result.

"I can honestly tell you that I was not expecting to be celebrating tonight," he told this masthead.

"In fact, if anything, the reverse was true. I was thinking that even if it was close that this could drag out for a long time.

"I was not expecting to be calling it tonight and not expecting the result to be that emphatic. It was really humbling that it was."

Although telling his own watch party in Bathurst that he would wait until "every single vote" was counted before conceding defeat, on Sunday morning Sam Farraway did just that.

"With just over 80 per cent of the primary vote counted, my lead in first preferences is now just over 6000 votes, and I have fallen behind on preferences," he said in a statement.

"It's unlikely there are enough remaining votes to regain the lead.

"I want to congratulate Andrew Gee on a result that will see him retain the seat of Calare."

As of 5pm on Sunday, Mr Gee had nearly 24,000 first preference votes compared to his former party candidate's 30,000

But on the two candidate system, it was preferences that set the incumbent apart; 56 per cent to 44 per cent.

So what did the former Nats member attribute to this willingness for Calare to elect an independent for the first time since 2004.

"It shows that people are not as rusted on as they used to be," Mr Gee said.

"I think it shows that people are willing to give the independents a go and they're a lot more open minded about it."

In a broader sense, Mr Gee also believes major parties can no longer take any seat for granted.

"They can no longer have the belief that no matter what, these communities will keep backing major parties; that time is over," he added.

"There's this sense of entitlement to a seat that the major parties think 'this is a National Party seat and how dare anyone challenge that.' That has made it difficult to campaign with that attitude."

Mr Gee was not the only candidate to note there had been "a lot of chirp" at the polling booths both on and prior to Saturday.

But as a former Nationals member contesting what had been a safe seat for two decades, he knew the pressure would be intensified.

"I always knew this fight was going to be horrendous because they were coming for us," he said of the Nationals.

"They did, they came for us big time. Even with the advertising that was coming out in the last two or three days with the campaign, we knew that they were going to throw everything at us."

He hoped his victory would bring about change of how candidates and political parties operate come next election cycle.

"Civility has been in many cases, sorely lacking," Mr Gee said.

"I hope ... everyone will reflect on the campaign that was and that next time round, things will be a lot more civil."

On a night where Opposition Leader Peter Dutton lost his seat - the first opposition leader ever to do so - the Labor party secured a majority government.

This could limit the amount of sway Mr Gee - along with other independent and minor party members - can have during the coming three years.

Calare's member doesn't necessarily agree.

"I think our voice will be even stronger because we've been able to go through this test, this election and come out the other side," he added.

"Yes, we're obviously going to have to fight and hold the government to account and make sure we get our fair share. I think we go back to the next parliament with an even stronger voice."

So what does his "long list" of projects and priorities for Calare include?

Unsurprisingly he pointed to the Great Western Highway and Dixons Long Point crossing as infrastructure projects he'll be pursuing.

But he also wants to tackle the rural doctor shortage crisis, cost of living and "getting the right energy mix".

"We also have a lot of vulnerable people in our communities," Mr Gee said.

"I think there's a lot more work we can be doing to be getting more support behind the vulnerable members."

In the meantime though, he's planning on taking a break after what was a "very, very stressful campaign".

"We're just relieved, delighted and humbled that the result has been so decisive," he added.

"It shows what independents can do."