A CLOSE ally of Sophie Mirabella has returned to the presidency of Liberal Party's Wodonga branch in the lead-up to next year's federal election.
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Wodonga businessman Adrian Wolter has taken over the top job from Craig Mundy.
Mr Wolter was previously president in the late 2000s including the 2007 election campaign when Mrs Mirabella retained the federal seat of Indi for the second time after first being elected in 2001.
Three months ago, former Prime Minister Tony Abbott officially opened the business, Huon Distributors, operated by Mr Wolter and his brother Nathan.
Earlier, Mr Abbott had launched the touring Spirit of Anzac centenary exhibition at Wodonga Sports and Leisure Centre.
Mr Wolter was returned as president at the branch's recent annual meeting.
"It's not my intention to be in the role long-term," he said.
"We've got some really good new members coming along, but maybe just for this year it might be better to have someone with a bit of experience in the spot.
"It won't be any more interesting than it was at the last election.
"Sophie is working extremely hard and doing multiple things almost every day.
"She is certainly not going to die wondering that is for sure."
Mr Wolter raised the ire of Mrs Mirabella's rivals in the 2007 election campaign when he distributed letters of support for the former member for Indi without declaring he was the Wodonga branch president.
Major Damien Batty has been elected the male branch vice-president and Robyn Elliott is the female vice-president.
Major Batty is also the newly elected Benambra electorate council chairman.
Lawyer Adam Koster has replaced Matthew Dale as Wodonga branch secretary and Rod Jones remains treasurer.
Mrs Mirabella was pre-selected as the Liberal Party candidate in Indi earlier this year.
She is trying to reclaim Indi from Cathy McGowan in a battle which also includes the Nationals' Marty Corboy.