As it happened: Albanese's historic victory

6:00pm - Polls on the east coast are closed and a huge media pack has started gathering at the Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL, which for tonight has become Labor HQ. As I collect my media pass my laptop bag is checked by a sniffer dog and I notice a large number of Australian Federal Police officers in the corridors - this is certainly not an average night at the RSL.

The man who could become our 31st prime minister, lifelong inner west local and Member for Grayndler Anthony Albanese, will be watching the count from his home in Marrickville with, among others, his partner Jodie Haydon, son Nathan and dog Toto. He isn't expected to arrive at the event until it's time to either declare victory or concede defeat.

READ MORE: Pollsters weigh in on Albo's chances to win the top job

6:30pm - Doors at Labor HQ have opened and guests have started arriving. TV screens on either side of the main stage are showing live feeds of ABC News and Sky News. Cans of Albo Pale Ale, from St Peters brewery Willie The Boatman, are on ice ready for the punters. Asked about the brew, one Labor volunteer tells me she isn't much of a craft brew person - "I'm more of a VB drinker myself, but this goes down all right too."

6:35pm - Inner West Mayor and Labor stalwart Darcy Byrne has just arrived in the hall. Asked about his early thoughts he is tentative. "I'm nervous, we all are," he tells me.

7:20pm - Checking in on the result for Grayndler, a very safe Labor seat that Albanese has held since 1996, he is comfortably ahead. It was impossible for Greens candidate Rachael Jacobs to unseat him in his run for prime minister, but she put up a great campaign nonetheless.

7:35pm - There are cheers from the crowd as independent Allegra Spender is announced as being ahead of Liberal Dave Sharma in Wentworth, and even louder cheers as Anthony Green calls Warringah for independent Zali Steggall. Labor HQ doesn't seem disappointed with the support for the so-called teal independents across Sydney. After all, they're counting on Liberal losses as well as Labor wins.

7:45pm - Punters watch the ABC's live stream nervously as Anthony Green announces the Liberal Party is ahead on first preference votes. He says there's a good chance of a hung parliament.

8:00pm - The must-win marginal seat of Reid, which includes parts of Ashfield, is looking good for Labor candidate Sally Sitou. There are lots of pats on the back for one Chinese-Australian wearing a 'Sally Sitou, Labor for Reid' T-shirt. He tells me he has been volunteering as a campaigner for Ms Sitou and "there's generally been a positive reception". "I think a lot of Chinese-Australians are very angry at what Fiona Martin said when she confused Sitou and another Chinese-Australian, Tu Le."

8:10pm - The results are showing lots of support for independents and minor parties and everyone's expecting a long night. Luckily there's plenty of finger food doing the rounds - party pies, sausage rolls and mini quiches. It'll be an especially long day for Inner West councillor for Marrickville Matthew Howard. He tells me he had been at Marrickville Town Hall since 5am handing out 'how to vote' cards for Mr Albanese - unsurprisingly the crowd in his home suburb was positive.

8:35pm - Covering election night for the local paper, I can't help but home in on the Inner West councillors. I spot deputy mayor Jess D'Arienzo, and she's feeling good about the result so far. She's been out at the polling booths in Dulwich Hill and Ashfield and had a special shout-out for Yeo Park Infants School who threw a big election gala to raise funds for a new outdoor classroom.

9:00pm - Everyone's attention is firmly fixed on the livestreams. Looking for some action I chase a scrum of cameras outside - there are some whispers Mr Albanese might be arriving early. A minute later everyone's heading back inside ... false alarm.

Among the scrum tonight is Heidi Pietschner, a 14-year-old 6 News Australia journalist from the northern beaches. She says this is only the second federal election she remembers and she's hoping to land a big interview tonight. "It's really, really, loud here and everyone seems really excited. There's a lot of anticipation," she says.

9:07pm - Sky News is predicting that the Coalition can't form a majority government and Labor HQ is feeling optimistic but punters are still hesitant to turn up the celebration at this point. The livestream switches to the Liberal Party's Trent Zimmerman who is conceding his seat of North Sydney to Independent Kylea Tink.

9:18pm - Labor is expected to form a government, although it's unsure whether it will be in majority or minority at this stage. Nevertheless, the mood is high in Labor HQ - there are hugs and cheers all round.

9:30pm - I speak to a Labor Party member who recently moved to the inner west from North Sydney. This is her first time being involved in politics and she's happy to see a large number of female independents picking up seats across Sydney. "Lots of people were angry with the Liberal Party but not ready to vote Labor or Greens, it'll certainly send a message to the Liberal Party that they do have a woman problem," she tells me.

9:45pm - As a Labor victory becomes certain, the energy in the room turns up by 10. A group of young men in the front of the room begin chanting "Albo", beers held high.

9:50pm - Among the celebratory crowd I run into the state member for Summer Hill, Labor's Jo Haylen. "I think the people of the inner west are going to be so excited that Anthony Albanese will be our 31st prime minister. The people here have known him a long time and know he has the quality and attributes to represent our values and take them to the country," she tells me.

Asked about the strong result for independents and the Greens, Ms Haylen says "there is a message for the major parties tonight but it's exciting because we are seeing progressive candidates around the country succeed. I am also excited that there's now a recognition that professional women are an important voice within Australian politics. We are a force to be reckoned with."

9:55pm - It's getting hot inside Labor HQ so I head out into the lobby for some fresh air. Outside a growing crowd of people are excited to get a glimpse of Mr Albanese. Asked what she thought of tonight's result, Santina Rizzo, who lives just up the road in Canterbury, said it's "about bloody time". "I'm excited to have Albanese as our leader - he's a local man with humble beginnings, who cares about social justice. We're so emotional, this is a new beginning in the right direction."

Michelle Lacey travelled in from Greenacre with her husband Jason: "He's just a genuine guy. He comes from working stock, he can be a voice for everyone and allow everyone to lift themselves up. It's time we had a [federal] ICAC and changes to our climate policy."

10:01pm - Heading back into the party I spot Inner West Mayor Cr Byrne. Any nerves he had earlier in the night have been stripped away. In a rare occurrence for the outspoken mayor, he is lost for words when I ask him about the result - "I don't even know what to say at the moment, but I'm very happy". As we chat, more beer is being wheeled into the function room behind us to keep the party going.

10:22 - The room is still buzzing; everyone's waiting for Albo to make his big entrance. The media pack is crowding the front door of the function venue. The Channel 7 crew are filming a live cross at the doors with their journalist holding an empty Albo Pale Ale can - a national audience for a small local business, Willie The Boatman has to be happy with that.

10:45pm - It's the news everyone in the room has been waiting to hear - outgoing prime minister Scott Morrison has called Mr Albanese to concede. "Do you still believe in miracles?" someone shouts from the crowd as Mr Morrison delivers his concession speech. Shortly after, as if he could hear the crowd through the screen, Mr Morrison says "I still believe in miracles". "I've always believed in Australians and their judgement and I've always been prepared to accept their verdicts and tonight they have delivered their verdict, and I congratulate Anthony Albanese and the Labor Party and I wish him and his government all the very best," he says.

11:45pm - It's almost midnight and everyone's exhausted but when Mr Albanese finally comes out on stage to deliver his victory speech there is a surge of energy through the room. Beside Mr Albanese on stage are Jodie and Nathan - I assume Toto has already called it a night.

"I want to seek our common purpose and promote unity and optimism, not fear and division. It is what I have sought to do throughout my political life and nd what I will bring to the leadership of our country. It is a show of strength to collaborate and work with people, not weakness," he says.

"I pledge to the Australian people here tonight, I am here not to occupy the space, but to make a positive difference each and every day. And to the amazing diverse people of Grayndler. All politics is local. And in 1996, there were various people who wrote off the chances of Labor holding on to that seat. This is my 10th election. And I want to say thank you for placing your faith in me. It is an absolute honour to be your voice in our national parliament."

12:05am - While our 31st prime minister is delivering his victory speech I notice Senator Penny Wong - set to be Australia's next foreign minister - has slipped into the crowd behind me. Before she disappears back into the crowd I catch her to ask her thoughts on tonight's result.

"Australians have voted for change and it's an extraordinary privilege to be part of that," she says. "Albanese is a unifying figure. I've travelled to every state and territory through this campaign and I reckon Australians are ready for someone who brings people together - as people in the inner west know, that's the way Albo works."

12:10am - Walking into the centre of the room I spot Member for Barton Linda Burney, surrounded by cameras and supporters. She retained her seat - which includes parts of Dulwich Hill, Hurlstone Park and Marrickville - with a 1.9 per cent swing towards her. During his speech Mr Albanese noted Ms Burney, a Wiradjuri woman, will be appointed as Indigenous Affairs Minister making her the first Indigenous woman to hold the title.

"I've got lots of great people around me and I'm really proud," Ms Burney tells me. "This is really, truly, a new way for this country. I feel that the issues of justice, women and first people will be at the forefront. The fact that the prime minister of the country is from Marrickville, where I represent, is just so great."

12:20am - The party is kicking on but I cannot. It's been a marathon evening and my puppy - who tried to eat my Senate ballot paper when I cast my vote at Australia Street Infants School in Newtown this morning - is at home waiting. After one last scope of the room I figure I am probably not going to get a chance to speak to the prime minister elect tonight. But I am certain we'll be seeing him around Marrickville sometime soon.

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