COUNCILLORS will meet for the first time on Tuesday to elect Loddon Shire’s mayor for the next year.
The vote will follow the five being sworn in as councillors by chief executive officer Lincoln Fitzgerald.
Dan Straub is expected to be frontrunner for the shire’s top position.
He was mayor in 2021-2022 and again the following year before father of the council Gavan Holt won the vote 3-2 to serve as mayor for the final year of the previous council term.
Cr Holt defeated Wendy Murphy who had been nominated by Linda Jungwirth, an advocate of the shire also having a deputy mayor. However, councillors are tipped to continue precedent and reject filling the optional deputy’s position when they meet next week,
The mayor’s position has an annual allowance of $84,498 while a deputy mayor would receive $42,248. Councillors receive $27,291.
The first weeks of the new council term will include induction and briefing sessions. Councillors will be required to complete new mandatory training within four months after State Government changes to local government regulations.
They will also need to complete annual professional development training. A new Model Councillor Code of Conduct has been applied to all 79 Victorian councils. 
Councillors elected in Gannawarra Shire: Lisa Farrant, Garner Smith, Daniel Bolitho, Ross Stanton, Pat Quinn, Charles Gillingham, Keith Link.
Buloke Shire - Lower Avoca Ward: Bruce Stafford, Stephen Barratt. Mallee Ward: Bernadette Hogan, Alan Getley. Mount Jeffcott Ward: Graeme Milne, Charmaine Delaney