The astronomy fan had a lower primary vote than rival candidates Henk van de Ven and Ross Hamilton but trumped them when the NSW Electoral Commission distributed preferences for the December 4 poll.

"I'm very surprised, it's clearly one of the quirks of the electoral system," Cr Thurley said.

"I was behind Henk and Ross Hamilton and then obviously residual votes from other candidates have pushed me over the line."

Cr Thurley is one of three councillors re-elected in Albury, alongside former mayor Alice Glachan and Labor member Darren Cameron.

Former councillors Stuart Baker and Daryl Betteridge have been voted in and there are four first-timers, group mates Kylie King and Steve Bowen, Greens member Ashley Edwards and Jess Kellahan, who was second on the Baker ticket.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Cr Cameron said the success of Cr Thurley showed how unpredictable the final outcome can be.

"People who think they can predict things before the preferences are actually distributed are just guessing, because nobody knows what the preferences are and it's always too early to make predictions until the preferences are distributed," Cr Cameron said.

Cr Thurley said he had resigned himself to not scoring a third and final term on council.

However, now that he has, he will seek to become mayor.

"I'll toss my hat in the ring and see what they want to do," Cr Thurley said.

"(I can offer) first of all the experience and with a lot of new members this time, experience is an important issue.

"I've been the national president of the Murray Darling Association so I offer experience and leadership in that type of role.

"I know the community well because I've been on so many committees, I think I've got some of the qualifications that go with the job."

Cr Kellahan became the eighth person elected to council with Monday's processing of preferences.

"It's so wonderful, I can't really believe it," she said.

"The whole process is a real big punt but I knew Stuart was in with a good chance and it's fortunate I said 'yes' to him at the start."

The Wodonga Senior Secondary College teacher said youth mental health and helping to improve the system involved in treating those in need was a priority.

As for the new mayor, Cr Kellahan would prefer an old hand.

"I think the mayor has to probably be someone who has had experience before on council, Stuart or Alice are who I think would be our best mayors," she said.

Cr Betteridge, who joined Cr Cameron as the only successful candidates at the declaration of the poll yesterday, repeated his previously aired desire to be mayor.

"I'll see what people think, it's not about me wanting it, I think it's the person who the councillors feel is the best person to be elected," Cr Betteridge said.

"Eight years previously as a councillor and I thought we worked well as a council then, I'm a good team player.

"Would I be a good leader? I think so but again it's the other eight councillors what they think."

Greater Hume's new north and west ward were also decided on Monday with Doug Meyer, Annette Schilg and Ian Forrest successful in the former and Jenny O'Neill, Ash Lindner and Matt Hicks triumphant in the latter.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: