Her election running mate Steve Bowen won a vote for deputy mayor 5-4 against former mayor Alice Glachan in the second round of voting after councillor David Thurley was eliminated in the initial stage.

Cr King told the media she was overwhelmed with the affirmation.

"It's hard to imagine a greater privilege or honour than to, not only be elected on to council by the community, but to then be endorsed by the councillors themselves," she said.

"It's a tremendous honour and I'll be working very hard as mayor, but really importantly as part of a collective team of councillors.

"We're still in the phase of a lot of us getting to know each other but I can see the passion and the drive and the community focus and the spirit is there to really work together collaboratively to really drive the city forward."

IN OTHER NEWS:

In taking her seat as mayor for the first time in the council chamber, Cr King thanked her colleagues for their support.

"To be voted as mayor is very special," she told them.

"I know it comes with great responsibility but I know between us all we'll work terrifically as a team and I know there is a lot of experience and history here that will help guide me as I go along."

Watching excitedly as the proceedings unfolded on Monday night was Cr King's husband of 12 years Paul Payne and his mother Josie Kilpatrick.

"I'm just so proud, she's a beautiful woman and I think she will represent the community very, very well," Mr Payne said of his wife who grew up in Gippsland.

"She's a small business owner, she's been active in the community in volunteer roles for many, many years, she's worked in corporations and has worked in private industry as well, so she's very well-rounded."

DJ and emcee Cr Bowen was pleasantly surprised to become deputy mayor in his first year on council and a touch overwhelmed after having spent his life on the Border.

"It's great to grow up in Lavington and go to school and high school there and then start an apprenticeship and then obviously throughout the last 35 years entertain and see the city progress, so I'm pretty pumped to help make that even better.

The pair will serve two years to January 2024.

The next council election will follow nine months later with the usual four-year term shortened after COVID extended the last council's period in office.

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: