She won 1097 votes from Junee and Illabo’s polling stations from a total of 1840 – 59.6 per cent.

“To receive such a high vote in the electorate on Saturday is very humbling, and it tells me that people in our region want to continue to see positive action from the NSW Government,” Mrs Hodgkinson said.

On election day residents cited making sure regional residents got the best from the government and the past performance of previous members as deciding factors.

Ramifications from the sale of poles and wires, Bethungra Dam being retained and stability in government were also highlighted by voters.

Voters in Junee only saw a brief glimpse of Ms Hodgkinson on Saturday as she sought to visit as many polling stations as possible as did Labor candidate Charlie Sheahan and Greens candidate Rod Therkelsen.

Mr Sheahan won 576 votes while Mr Therkelsen attracted 79 from Junee shire voters.