With John Wharton re-elected uncontested in Richmond Shire, the only shire to miss out on voting in a woman was Cloncurry where former acting mayor Jane McMillan was narrowly defeated by Greg Campbell in a tight three-way contest with over a handful of votes in it.

The five elected female mayors are: Joyce McCulloch (Mount Isa), Belinda Murphy (McKinlay), Jane McNamara (Flinders), Liz Schmidt (Charters Towers) and Jenny Hill (Townsville).

Jane McNamara narrowly missed out on being a Flinders councillor in 2004 but is now confirmed as the winner in another close contest, this time as the mayor of the shire.

At the close of counting on election night, Jane had a slim 10-vote lead over incumbent mayor Greg Jones.

When outstanding postal votes were added to the tally on Tuesday, both candidates received 14 votes, meaning Jane had maintained her margin.

Jane said her family had been involved in local politics since 1952, through her father Steve Abbott, a former mayor, and she was keen to continue the tradition.

Jane believes council needs to hitch itself to the coattails of the push for northern Australia development, saying it had an opportunity to bring more industry diversity.

“We would all like to see the Hann Highway sealed,” she said.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she was delighted with the election of so many women in her recent visit to Mount Isa.

“It just proves women can do anything,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

Queensland Rural Remote and Regional Women’s Network president Alison Mobbs applauded the female nominees for believing in themselves and for being role models for future generations of women.

“Now, more than ever, women feel they are able to lead a community with the skills, the support and the confidence to do so,” Ms Mobbs said.

“It’s important to recognise the work of the women of previous generations who have fought hard over many years for this to be possible.

“It gives me hope that soon everyone’s daughter will assume it is not newsworthy that women run for the office of mayor.”