KING Island Mayor Julie Arnold has resigned effective immediately. Ms Arnold along with husband Charles departed King Island this week for a new life in South Australia. Ms Arnold, who was first elected as Mayor in 2019, recently chaired her last Council meeting.
Ms Arnold’s resignation as Mayor comes after she received advice that she cannot continue in the role from her new permanent residence in South Australia.
Deputy Mayor Vernon Philbey will become Mayor, and an election for a new Deputy Mayor until the election will be held by the Councillors. Ms Arnold’s husband, Charles, also served on King Island Council as both a Councillor and Mayor.
“The only reason that we’re leaving is because we’ve sold the property and both Charles and myself need a break”, Ms Arnold said. “So this gives us an opportunity to go and set up in South Australia and use that as a base to do the travel that we want to do. “I’ve been very honoured to be mayor and it’s been hard work, and it’s been a hard for years, I have to say, but there’s so much that is happening on the island.”