Good morning, Robina.
It’s a big week around here, and there’s plenty to get your head around.
A teenager avoided detention after a violent attack on a 13-year-old in Robina left the younger girl with a broken nose, and the victim’s mum has spoken out about the outcome. A man also allegedly rammed two police cars in nearby Benowa, injuring three officers before the vehicle hit a tree. And 20 three-storey townhouses have been proposed for a quiet cul-de-sac on Ben Lexcen Place.
On a brighter note, Cbus Super Stadium is hosting a Rugby League World Cup triple-header this month with four nations on the field. Robina Town Centre is also throwing a free Halloween party on The Promenade on Thursday, and the Robina Hotel has completed its big renovation with a shiny new 60-person deck.
Plenty to get across. Let’s get into it!
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THIS WEEK IN ROBINA
After a Year of Renovations, Varsity Lakes Pub Reveals Its New Look
Image: couriermail.com.au/
Diamonds Tavern in Varsity Lakes has finished a renovation that has been running for the better part of a year, and the result is worth knowing about if you have not been in lately.
The most visible addition is a new 60-person outdoor deck - the kind of space that makes a significant difference to how a pub feels heading into summer. The bistro has been upgraded, and the public bar has been revamped with large screens for watching sport. For a neighbourhood pub that has been part of Varsity Lakes since the 1990s, it is a substantial refresh rather than a lick of paint.
To mark the new deck opening, Diamonds is running a $200 giveaway until Friday October 23. Details are on their socials or at diamondsvarsity.com.au.
The timing is well considered. A new deck, a renovated bistro, and sport on the big screen lands about six weeks before the summer holidays start pulling people toward the coast. For Robina residents who want a decent local without driving far, Varsity Lakes is on the doorstep and the pub looks better than it has in years.
Worth a visit this weekend if you want to see what they have done with the place.
Two weeknights. Two very good reasons to book dinner.
At Fornello Pizza & Bar, Tuesdays mean 15% off all pasta, plus $8 glasses of wine. Wednesdays mean 15% off all pizzas, again with $8 glasses of wine.
With hand-stretched pizzas, Italian-inspired dishes and a relaxed atmosphere, it’s an easy excuse to turn a regular weeknight into dinner you’ll actually look forward to.
Don’t wait for the weekend. Pick your night, book your table and make the most of 15% off before the week gets away from you.
Tuesday = pasta. Wednesday = pizza. Which one are you booking?
Fornello Pizza & Bar
Shop A1/201 Varsity Parade, Varsity Lakes
Book your table and check the menu at fornellopizza.com.au
Man Allegedly Rams Two Police Cars, Injuring Three Officers
Three police officers were hospitalised with minor abrasions. Picture: 7News
A police operation in Benowa took a serious turn when a 35-year-old man allegedly rammed two police vehicles while officers were attempting to arrest him.
Three officers were injured in the incident. The confrontation ended when the vehicle crashed into a tree.
The man has since been charged over the incident.
Benowa sits just north of Robina, close enough that this kind of event registers locally. The details are still limited - what led to the initial police operation has not been fully reported at time of writing - but the outcome is significant. Deliberately ramming police vehicles is not a minor traffic matter, and three officers going to hospital as a result of a single arrest is a serious result by any measure.
The Gold Coast has seen a handful of high-profile pursuit and ramming incidents over the past couple of years, and they tend to draw public attention quickly when officers are hurt.
Further details about the charges and the circumstances that led to the confrontation are likely to emerge through court proceedings. This is one worth following if you want to understand what actually happened before, during and after the arrest attempt.
Queensland Police are the primary source for updates as the matter moves through the system.
Local kids meet their everyday heroes. Imagine what your little one could discover!
From meeting emergency personnel to getting an up-close look at a real fire truck, the kids at Kia Ora Kids Childcare had an awesome opportunity to learn about the everyday heroes who help keep our community safe.
Experiences like these bring learning to life, giving little ones the chance to explore the world around them, ask questions and discover something new.
Looking for a childcare centre where your child can do more than just pass the day? Kia Ora Kids Childcare offers little ones opportunities to learn, play, grow and make memories in a welcoming environment.
And here's an extra reason to come and see for yourself: your little one's first week is FREE!
Come meet the team, explore the centre and see if Kia Ora Kids Childcare feels like the right fit for your family.
Ready to find your child's new favourite place to learn and play?
Click here to book a visit and claim your little one's FREE first week!
Or call 0493 892 271
Teen Avoids Jail After Robina Attack Leaves 13-Year-Old With Broken Nose
Image: couriermail.com.au
A 16-year-old girl has been sentenced to six months’ probation after a violent attack in Robina in August left a 13-year-old with a broken nose.
The court outcome was handed down this week. No detention. The victim’s mother has criticised the result publicly.
It is the kind of sentencing decision that draws a strong reaction, and understandably so. A 13-year-old was assaulted badly enough to break her nose. The person responsible walked out on probation.
Courts weigh a range of factors in youth sentencing - age, circumstances, rehabilitation prospects - and those considerations are built into the system deliberately. That does not make the outcome easier for the family on the other side of it.
The original attack happened in Robina. The community that watched it unfold is now watching what the legal system decided to do about it.
Meet Sarah, the locals motivated and trusted psychologist.
If you’ve been putting off getting some support, this might be your sign. Sarah, founder of Mental Strength Psychology, offers warm, personalised support for anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, ADHD, autism, relationships and more.
Her trauma-informed, neuro-affirming approach helps make therapy feel comfortable and collaborative. She also works with NDIS participants and facilitates a monthly LGBTT+ therapeutic group.
Appointments are available in person, via Telehealth or at home where appropriate, subject to a travel fee.
Reduced fees may be available for pensioners and people experiencing genuine financial hardship.
With an eligible Mental Health Care Plan, you may be able to claim a Medicare rebate of $101.55 per eligible session. Out-of-pocket costs vary.
Ready to chat with Sarah?
Mental Strength Psychology
Office 3, 52 Price Street, Nerang QLD 4211
Phone: 0436 365 244
Website: mentalstrengthpsychology.com
Instagram: @mentalstrengthpsychology
Facebook: Mental Strength Psychology
Robina Town Centre Is Throwing a Free Halloween Party
Image: robinatowncentre.qicre.com
Robina Town Centre is hosting a free Halloween event on The Promenade this Thursday October 29, running from 4pm to 8pm. Costumes are encouraged, and the format is family-friendly.
It is a solid option for parents who want to do something for Halloween without the logistics of trick-or-treating across the neighbourhood. The Promenade gives kids room to move, the event runs during daylight-into-early-evening hours, and it costs nothing to show up.
Four hours of Halloween activities in a familiar, easy-to-navigate space. If your kids have been asking about costumes all month, this is the payoff.
Details at robinatowncentre.qicre.com.
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So, if longer, fuller hair has been on your wish list, why not start with a conversation?
Visit haircandy.com.au or email [email protected].
Four Nations Are Coming to Robina, and Stadium Parking Rules Are Getting a Shake-Up
Image: couriermail.com.au/
Cbus Super Stadium hosts a Rugby League World Cup triple-header this Saturday October 31. Three matches across the afternoon: Fiji vs France Women’s at 12:20pm, New Zealand vs Fiji Men’s at 2:30pm, and New Zealand vs Papua New Guinea Women’s at 4:45pm.
If you are going to one, you might as well stay for all three.
There is also some practical news for residents near the stadium. Councillors have backed a new traffic management plan that would reduce restricted parking areas and apply two-minute parking limits only to events drawing more than 7,500 spectators, with restrictions starting no earlier than four hours before kickoff.
That is a meaningful change for neighbours who have found event-day restrictions frustrating. However, check the published parking rules for Saturday specifically before assuming the new arrangements are already in place.
Tickets through Ticketmaster. Transport options at translink.com.au.
| 6 Nardoo Street | $1,330,000 |
| 1 Dandenong Terrace | $1,255,000 |
| 30 Peninsula Drive | $1,250,000 |
| 2/12 Leopardwood Circuit | $1,140,000 |
| 27 Florabella Drive | $1,059,000 |
| 1/118 Cottesloe Drive | $995,000 |
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What's on this week
Supercars take over the streets, HOTA opens a new exhibition, and the Sunday farmers market is the perfect antidote to the weekend noise.
Three days of intense street circuit racing opening the Repco Supercars Finals Series. Trackside entertainment all weekend. Skip the parking nightmare - catch the light rail up from the Broadbeach network.
Celebrate the opening of the HOTA Collects: Alchemy exhibition with Senior Curator Julie McLaren on a roaming floor talk exploring ritual, material transformation, and the narratives behind the contemporary works.
Led by award-winning author Christine Betts, this masterclass takes inspiration directly from the Alchemy gallery space. Structured prompts designed to dissolve writer's block and explore transformation on the page — writers of all levels welcome.
An immersive evening of yogic pranayama breathwork, mindfulness gongs, and crystal singing bowls. Perfect for dropping stress and settling a busy weekend mind.
The Gold Coast's premier independent lifestyle market, nestled against Evendale Lake - farm-fresh organic produce, artisan pastries, boutique local fashion, great coffee, and live acoustic sets. The perfect antidote to three days of Supercars noise.
If you reckon a mid-week trivia night counts as a sport, Robina has multiple options to test your general knowledge, grab a great meal deal, and take home some prizes, all without a cost to walk in.
Real deals at Robina venues right now.
Krish Indian Cuisine & Saiko Teppanyaki — Early Bird Savings
The Promenade, Robina Town Centre · firsttable.com.au
50% off the total food bill for early-bird lunch or dinner seatings. Process a $10 reservation token via the First Table platform to lock in your table. Drinks are excluded from the discount.
Club Robina Bistro — Weekly Dining Roster
263 Ron Penhaligon Way, Robina · clubrobina.com.au
Thursday Night: Steak and Rib Night from 5:30pm. Friday Night: Friday Steak Night with Kids Eat Free. Saturday: All-Day Chicken Wings special. Highly popular among local families for reliable portions and a welcoming neighbourhood atmosphere.
Mad Asian Kitchen & Bar and Sapori — Last-Minute App Discounts
Mad Asian Kitchen (Robina) and Sapori (Clear Island Waters) · EatClub app
25% off the total bill including alcoholic beverages via the EatClub app. Discounts trigger dynamically based on immediate kitchen capacity, making them ideal for groups flexible with dining times.
Hot Mess Deli New
Varsity Lakes Precinct (adjacent to Robina)
Opened 1 October 2026, this New York-style deli is generating serious local foodie buzz. Specialty coffee roasts paired with premium artisanal deli sandwiches layered with house-cured meats. Worth adding to your morning coffee run or casual mid-week lunch rotation while opening launch pricing holds.
Services Robina Locals Recommend:
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DEBATE OF THE WEEK
Should a quiet cul-de-sac like Ben Lexcen Place absorb 20 three-storey townhouses, or is that simply too much density for one residential street to handle?
A development application is in for 26-30 Ben Lexcen Place to replace a single family home with 20 tri-level townhouses. The street is a dead end. Parking, traffic, and street character are all on the table.
Hit reply and tell us where you stand on this one.
LEGEND OF THE WEEK:
Know someone in Robina quietly doing something worth recognising? Hit reply and tell us about them. We'd love to feature them in a future edition.
Grow your business with Robina Locals
To keep this newsletter going and the coverage improving, we are opening a small number of paid features to local businesses. If you offer something genuinely useful to Robina residents, we would like to hear from you.
Reply to this email to find out more.
That is a wrap for this week, Robina. Get amongst the debate, have your say in the community corner, and we will catch you next Thursday with more of what is happening around the traps.
Thanks for reading. See you next week.
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