Isabelle Tolhurst has resigned as Borough of Queenscliffe’s mayor, with councillor Ross Ebbels stepping in to take her place.
Cr Tolhurst announced her resignation as mayor during council’s April 24 meeting and will remain on as councillor for the remainder of the council term to accommodate the arrival of her second child.
“I feel obliged to step down, but it was the level of demand and intensive community involvement that was the source of great reward in the role,” she said.
“Serving as mayor has been one of the great privileges of my life…and I look forward to serving the community for the remainder of the term (as councillor).
“Specifically, I wish to thank the community. It is your commitment to each other, the drive for better, the passion for people and place that makes the job so special.”
Cr Tolhurst was first elected to council by a countback in 2022, elected as mayor later that year, and was re-elected as mayor in 2023.
Cr Ebbels was voted in as the new mayor during the council meeting. He said he understood that stepping down as mayor would have been a difficult decision for Cr Tolhurst.
“I’m honoured to have the support of my fellow councillors in electing me as mayor of the Borough of Queenscliffe,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to working with councillors, officers and our community, and I thank Cr Tolhurst for her time and dedication in this role.”
