Cr Stewart, who has never held previous public office, narrowly deposed incumbent Tony Wellington for the top job, largely on her "new broom" approach and a promise to listen and respond more to community and business needs.
Not a woman in sight – the first Noosa Shire Council in 1910 was as 'blokey' as they come.
This was after the Wellington Council had become "tainted" with the jailing of long-serving councillor Frank Pardon and the public outrage that erupted around former councillor Jess Glasgow's behaviour on TV reality show The Bachelorette.
Mr Pardon, who has since lost his appeal on historical charges of indecent treatment of a child, was forced to resign while Mr Glasgow failed to win re-election last March.