An armed robbery at a jewellery store on Gympie Road in Chermside occurred on the afternoon of 10 June, leaving a worker seriously injured. Police said four masked individuals entered the store around 5 p.m., armed with hammers and metal bars. During the incident, glass display cabinets were smashed and a large quantity of jewellery was taken from the premises.
Authorities confirmed that one male employee was hit in the head with a hammer. Paramedics from the Queensland Ambulance Service were called to the scene at approximately 5:10 p.m. Paramedics treated the man for a significant head injury before transporting him in a stable condition to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. His condition was described as serious but stable at the time of transport.
Stolen Vehicle Used in Getaway
The group is believed to have fled the area in a grey Honda CR-V, which police suspect was taken from a Calamvale home on 8 June, days before the incident. Detectives are now tracing the vehicle’s history as part of ongoing investigations.
Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook
Police Establish Crime Scene
A crime scene was declared at the Chermside store following the 10 June robbery. Police are reviewing security camera footage and appealing for public assistance. Police have asked anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage from the Gympie Road vicinity during the relevant timeframe to come forward via PoliceLink.
Social media users have shared a mix of responses, with some expressing concern about violent crime and others offering support to the injured staff member. Multiple comments have called for stronger deterrents and justice for those involved.
Before she was helping investors grow their portfolios at LJ Hooker Aspley & Chermside, Mahalia Robinson was performing with Hugh Jackman in “The Boy From Oz.” That’s not a metaphor. She really did share the stage with the Wolverine himself.
It’s just one chapter in a life that’s seen Mahalia move from musical theatre and makeup artistry into property management, bringing with her a flair for people, performance, and purpose.
Now 30 years old, Mahalia serves as the New Business Manager for Investments and Growth at LJ Hooker Aspley & Chermside. Her path to real estate had not exactly been linear.
Photo Credit: Supplied
“I had someone telling me for years I’d be good at it,” she laughs. “When COVID hit, I was in a call centre job I couldn’t stand. I saw a receptionist role at a real estate agency, applied that morning, interviewed that afternoon, and three days later, I was in.”
It turned out to be a perfect fit. With a background in full-time dance, vocal lessons, and a natural ability to connect with people, Mahalia found that her performing arts skills translated seamlessly into the relationship-driven world of real estate.
Though her early real estate days were in Brisbane’s inner city, the pull of home eventually brought her back to the 4034 postcode, specifically Boondall, where she has lived since she was eight.
“I loved the inner city,” she says, “but I wanted to return to my roots. This is where I grew up.”
Those roots run deep. Her family were long-time foster carers, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Hers was a home full of diversity, compassion, and community—values that continue to shape her professional and personal life.
“We were really involved with the Department of Child Safety growing up,” Mahalia recalls. “Coming back into this area now, I want to reconnect with that side of the community again.”
That human-first approach is something that she believes is rare in the often task-driven world of property management. “You don’t often find a BDM who carves out time for community involvement,” she says. “But LJ Hooker has always been about relationships, and that’s what drew me to them.”
Outside of work, Mahalia still finds time for the arts, often attending or participating in community theatre, and maintaining her long-standing love of movement through Pilates. “Pilates connects me back to my dance days,” she explains. “But it’s also about wellbeing. If I’m not okay, I can’t give my best to others.”
Her passions extend beyond performance. A self-professed “avid shopper,” Mahalia also collects high-end perfumes and quality wines.
“I’ve got a bottle of Penfolds St Henri I’m saving for my wedding day,” she says. She’s partial to Pinot Noir and rosé, especially from boutique, family-run vineyards. In fact, she has added a visit to Stanthorpe’s wine region to her bucket list.
Photo Credit: Creative Commons/ Helena Lopes
Among her quieter causes is an issue close to her heart: menstrual product accessibility for homeless women. “We can’t always house everyone,” she says, “but at the very least, we can offer dignity. I’d love for people to know they can … pick up a pack. No questions asked.”
Photo Credit: Facebook/Share the Dignity
A rom-com enthusiast (with “Anyone But You” and “Crazy Rich Asians” topping her list), Mahalia also makes time for rewatching “The Office,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” or “Gilmore Girls.”
Amongst her varied interests, the real joy in her life comes from the friendships she’s built in adulthood.
“Most of my close friends came into my life after I turned 21,” she shares. “We chose each other based on values—how we communicate, how we show up. Your energy is so valuable as a human being. You need to use it well.”
And that’s exactly what Mahalia Robinson seems to do — whether it’s helping investors grow their portfolios, reconnecting with her community roots, or simply offering a safe space to someone in need. With heart, hustle, and a touch of theatrical sparkle, she’s turning every role she plays in her life into a starring one.
St Vincent’s Private Hospital Northside in Chermside has won a key legal battle that allows it to end a long-running contract with the private company that has operated its emergency department for more than 20 years.
The dispute centred on an agreement between the hospital and Impact Healthcare Pty Ltd, a company established by Dr Phillip Kay in the late 1990s to manage the emergency department’s staffing, administration, and billing. Although Dr Kay retired from clinical work in mid-2023, he continued to oversee the department through Impact.
Photo credit: svph.org.au
Tensions emerged when Dr Kay sold a majority share in Impact to PEHA Holding, raising concerns within the hospital about the future of the agreement. With no fixed end date and limited termination clauses, the contract’s flexibility was called into question.
The hospital argued that the contract was never meant to be permanent and should include an implied right to end the arrangement with reasonable notice. Impact, on the other hand, maintained that the agreement was effectively indefinite unless very specific conditions were met.
Photo credit: svph.org.au
In a ruling delivered by the Supreme Court of Queensland, the judge sided with the hospital. The court found that a contract of this nature, particularly one so reliant on the continued involvement of a specific individual, should not be considered binding indefinitely. It was determined that the hospital had the right to terminate the agreement, provided it gave reasonable notice.
This outcome provides St Vincent’s Private Hospital Northside with the legal clarity needed to transition to a new emergency department provider. Hospital leadership said the emergency department remains an essential part of its services in Chermside and confirmed that it will continue delivering urgent care to the community.
Although the court did not define the exact length of notice required, it reinforced the need for a fair and workable timeframe.
Dr Kay has indicated plans to appeal the decision. In the meantime, the ruling allows the hospital to move forward with long-term planning for its emergency services.
Chermside residents are being urged to donate blood this week, with the local donor centre needing 150 people with O-type blood to help rebuild dangerously low national supplies.
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood has issued a national appeal for 9,500 O-type blood donations, with stock levels at their lowest since 2023. The Chermside Donor Centre urgently needs 150 donors to help meet local demand.
Photo Credit: Supplied
O-type blood is the most requested by hospitals, especially O negative, which can be used in emergencies when there’s no time to test a patient’s blood type. Although only 7 per cent of Australians have O negative, it makes up 16 per cent of blood ordered by hospitals.
Photo Credit: Supplied
O positive is also widely used in emergencies and is more common in the population. Lifeblood says cancellations and reschedules have surged, straining supply at a critical time for patient care.
Blood Shortages Hitting Queensland
Queensland needs 2,000 of the 9,500 O-type blood donations required nationwide this week. Lifeblood says Chermside, along with Brisbane City, Springwood and Strathpine, faces the most urgent demand in the Brisbane region. Chermside is one of the largest donor centres on the northside, supporting major hospitals across the city.
Photo Credit: Supplied
Nearly 10,000 blood products are distributed daily across Australia. Lifeblood warns that without more donors, hospitals could face delays in treating patients needing surgery, cancer care or emergency transfusions.
How To Help In Chermside
Photo Credit: Supplied
Donating blood takes about an hour, with the actual donation lasting around 10 minutes. Lifeblood urges healthy people over 18, especially first-time donors or those who haven’t donated recently, to book an appointment.
Those unsure of their blood type can find out during their visit. Appointments can be made by calling 13 14 95, visiting lifeblood.com.au, or using the DonateBlood app, with the Chermside Donor Centre open all week for blood and plasma donations.
Community Response Makes The Difference
Lifeblood says blood donations often fall during winter, even though the need stays the same. Chermside locals are being asked to help fill the shortfall of 150 donors this week.
Donating takes just one hour and can help hospital patients recover from serious illness or injury. Stuart Chesneau said it’s a simple way to give others more time with their loved ones and support the strength of the community.
Known mainly for its major shopping centre and hospital precinct, Chermside is now being reimagined as a thriving suburban business and lifestyle hub – a “mini Parramatta” for Brisbane’s north.
As Brisbane continues to grow faster than any other capital city in Australia, urban planners are turning their focus to suburbs like Chermside as key locations for long-term renewal. With more than 400,000 new residents expected to settle in the city by 2046, the spotlight is shifting away from the inner city towards areas that can support both population and employment growth.
A Suburban Centre with Serious Potential
Artist’s impression of vision for Chermside (Photo credit: suburbanfutures.com.au)
Chermside already plays an important role in Brisbane’s urban fabric, with a strong base of health services, retail, and public transport. It currently supports around 16,000 jobs, but according to urban renewal advocates, this could grow to 50,000 with thoughtful planning and infrastructure upgrades.
This bold vision was proposed by Suburban Futures, a not-for-profit focused on improving the liveability and productivity of Australia’s suburbs.
“Suburban Futures has identified Chermside as a significant suburban renewal opportunity with the potential to become a ‘mini Paramatta’ and home of thousands of new jobs for the region,” the organisation wrote in the SEQ Regional Plan.
The suburb’s unique advantages lie in its location and layout. It’s well-connected by major roads and public transport, while also bordered by natural green corridors like Marchant Park and Downfall Creek. These areas are being looked at not just as recreational spaces but as active transport links – safe, green corridors that could connect thousands of residents and workers to key employment and service centres.
Rethinking Suburban Living
Photo credit: Google Street View
Rather than expanding the city’s core, planners are advocating for the development of self-contained suburban hubs that blend housing, jobs, services and lifestyle. In Chermside, that means encouraging mixed-use developments that include apartments, office spaces, health services, cafés, and green public spaces – all within walking distance of each other.
This suburban renewal approach is also seen as a response to Brisbane’s broader housing needs. By focusing density around transport-rich areas like Chermside, the city can grow sustainably without encroaching on character suburbs or greenfield land on the fringe.
There’s already momentum. The Westfield shopping precinct, Prince Charles Hospital, and nearby council facilities give Chermside a solid platform for growth. With improved urban design, new residential developments, and enhancements to public space and transport infrastructure, Chermside could emerge as a modern example of how suburbs can evolve into dynamic urban centres.
The comparison to Parramatta isn’t accidental. Sydney’s second CBD has become a benchmark for how investment in suburban centres can relieve pressure on inner cities while offering a better quality of life closer to home. Like Parramatta, Chermside has the transport links, health infrastructure and land capacity to support a broader transformation.
While plans are still evolving, urban designers and developers – including thought leaders from Suburban Futures – see this as a rare opportunity to shape a future-focused suburb – one that’s not only a place to live and work, but a place people are proud to call home.
Chermside’s future will rely on careful planning, smart investment and community engagement. But the ingredients are all there: strong transport, existing jobs, open space, and a growing population.
As Brisbane looks ahead to 2032 and beyond, Chermside may become the blueprint for suburban success – a vibrant, connected, and sustainable community leading the next chapter in the city’s growth story.
Did you know that Craigslea State High School is now home to a multi-million-dollar, state-of-the-art Volleyball Centre of Excellence? The Chermside West school has one of the longest running volleyball programs in QLD through its top-ranking Craigslea Volleyball Academy.
The state-of-the-art Volleyball Centre of Excellence, which officially opened in February 2025, replaces the school’s previous 50-year-old venue. This significant improvement was made possible by an $18-million investment from the State.
The opening ceremony saw Principal Mick Leigh, alongside The Honourable Tim Mander MP, Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and The Honourable John-Paul Langbroek MP, Minister for Education and the Arts, celebrate the new centre.
The Craigslea Volleyball Academy (CVA), founded in 1988 by Randel Robertson, has a long-standing reputation as one of Australia’s top volleyball schools. A key annual event for the academy is the Australian Volleyball Schools Cup (AVSC), where athletes compete against the best schools nationally.
Craigslea has consistently been Queensland’s most successful school at this event, being the only Queensland school to attend all 36 cups and winning the overall ‘National Champion’ title in 1989. The CVA currently holds a state ranking of 1st and a national ranking of 2nd.
Modern Facilities for Future Champions
The newly opened Volleyball and Community Sports Centre enhances the success of the Volleyball Academy. It features two competition-standard indoor courts and two Olympic-size beach courts. These modern facilities offer improved spectator seating and a mezzanine viewing area.
Students say the new centre allows players to execute the game properly, addressing previous limitations such as low roofs and lack of space behind the service line. Fixed cameras in the venue will allow for game analysis, helping players work on technique and reach a higher level.
Principal Mick Leigh stated that the school now has an Olympic-standard stadium suitable for a champion school, acknowledging that the school has one of the longest-running volleyball programs in the nation.
Craig Marshall, National High-Performance Manager for Volleyball Australia, noted that the facility will boost participation in the sport, particularly in the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Games, and enable higher-level tactical and technical development for athletes.
The CVA program extends beyond just volleyball skills, focusing on personal development. Preparing for the AVSC provides students with opportunities to develop essential personal, interpersonal, and life skills through teamwork. The program teaches students to handle both the excitement of success and the disappointment of defeat, creating lasting memories and friendships.
The academy provides athletes with opportunities to play both beach and indoor volleyball at state and national levels. It maintains strong connections with community partners, including Norths Volleyball Club, Volleyball Queensland, Queensland Pirates, Volleyball Australia, and the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) Emerging Talent Program.
Students wishing to join the CVA program must complete an online application detailing their sporting experience and participate in a trial afternoon. The program currently has around 230 players, supported by 15 teaching staff and over 20 alumni coaches. All CVA curriculum staff are qualified as Level 3 ‘Elite Coach’. Students in the program are expected to maintain high achievement and suitable behaviour across all subjects and attend extra-curricular sessions and tournaments.
CVA has a proud history of success, having been the Queensland Champion School every year from 2008 to 2023. Its alumni include three past students who represented Australia in the 2000 Olympics, one at the 2014 Youth Olympics, and two who became international beach volleyball coaches. Over 60 students have achieved national selection, and more than 200 have represented the state.
The academy has also secured eight National Schools Open Honours Division titles, including a rare three-peat for the Open Girls in 2012, 2013, and 2014, along with six National Schools Junior Honours Division titles. Many alumni continue their association with the school, returning as coaches and support staff.
Chermside locals are seeing major changes on Hamilton Road, where crews are digging deep to install new underground stormwater pipes aimed at reducing flood risks in the neighbourhood.
Drainage upgrades are in progress along Hamilton Road between Gympie Road and Farnell Street, with part of Kelso Street also included. Brisbane City Council is replacing old systems with larger pipes, manhole chambers and roadside gullies to improve stormwater flow, with work continuing until September, weather permitting.
According to information from both the Council’s infrastructure updates and the local ward office, the goal is to strengthen Chermside’s flood resilience by upgrading ageing infrastructure that no longer meets demand during extreme weather.
Night Shifts and Traffic Changes
Construction is mostly taking place during evening hours, from Sunday to Wednesday between 7:00 pm and 4:00 am, with some daytime work scheduled on Saturdays when required. This timing is meant to reduce disruptions to traffic flow along the busy road.
Photo Credit: Canva Pro
To maintain traffic flow during construction, some on-street parking has been temporarily converted into travel lanes. Driveway access remains open, though minor delays may occur under traffic control. Council says it is working to limit noise before 11:00 pm, but residents can still expect dust, machinery and traffic changes in the coming months.
What This Means for the Community
The project has been described as a significant improvement for Chermside. It addresses a long-standing drainage issue by increasing the capacity of the underground stormwater system to manage future rainfall events more effectively.
Councillor Danita Parry said the works may be disruptive but will help reduce localised flooding in the area. She thanked residents for their patience and encouraged them to reach out with any questions or concerns during the project.
Help and More Information
While the works may cause short-term disruption, they are expected to deliver long-term benefits by reducing the risk of flooding in Chermside.
Residents are encouraged to contact the project team on 3178 5413 or Council’s 24/7 line on 3403 8888 for updates or assistance. Local enquiries can also be directed to the ward office on 3407 0707.
In the early 1970s, a new school quietly took root in the leafy streets of Chermside West. Since then, Craigslea State High School has remained a steady presence in the lives of thousands. It became a place where friendships were made, lessons were learned and the odd lunchtime drama unfolded on the oval.
Now, 50 years on, the school is inviting everyone who walked its halls, and those who cheered from the sidelines, to come back and celebrate the legacy they helped shape.
A Full Circle Moment
On Saturday, 7 June 2025, the school grounds will once again fill with laughter and shared memories, this time for a different reason. From 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Craigslea SHS will hold a free community showcase that welcomes alumni, families and locals to revisit the past and see what’s changed. Classrooms will be open for guided tours, the stage will come alive with student performances and food trucks will line the grounds offering fuel for the walk down memory lane. The official welcome is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. in the school hall.
In a symbolic gesture, a time capsule buried years ago will be unearthed. A new capsule filled with today’s stories, artefacts and inside jokes will take its place for the next generation to discover it.
As the sun sets, the celebration will shift to Kedron Wavell RSL, where former students and staff are invited to an evening gala dinner. From 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., the event promises conversation, reconnection and a few “remember when” moments.
Tickets are available until 27 May 2025, and organisers are urging people to reach out to old classmates, even if it’s been decades since they last spoke.
Alice Long, a long-time volunteer with the P&C Association, said the school’s unusual name often trips people up. Craigslea SHS isn’t in a suburb called Craigslea, but in Chermside West, just behind Westfield Chermside. That detail has become more relevant than ever as the team tries to reach alumni who may have moved away, changed email addresses or simply lost touch.
Photo Credit: Supplied
Where Are They Now?
As part of Craigslea State High School’s 50th Anniversary celebrations, the school has been spotlighting standout alumni through a series of “Where are they now?” features on social media. One such graduate is Matt Moorcroft, a proud member of the Class of 2006, who has come full circle by returning to Craigslea as a teacher.
Matt rejoined the school in 2015, inspired by the “fantastic teachers” who guided him through his own education. Now a Highly Accomplished Teacher, he teaches Mathematics and plays a key role in Craigslea’s extracurricular life, including the annual ski trip to Queenstown, New Zealand, and coaching in the Craigslea Volleyball Academy.
Reflecting on his school days, Matt recalls formative experiences:
“I still have fond memories of Mr Randall Robertson’s Year 8 camp, Senior PE with Mr Bruce Mann, and the snow trip to Perisher with Ms Janelle Schloss and Ms Kay Braiden,” he said.
He also fondly remembers simpler pleasures, like:
“Eating a pie on a bread roll from the tuckshop at lunch and washing it down with a can of Coke and a Mars Bar from the vending machines in the hall.”
When asked what advice he’d give to current students, Matt said:
“Follow your passions and interests. If you do that, like me, you will find a path that is both enjoyable and rewarding.”
Matt’s story is one of many examples of how Craigslea’s nurturing environment and strong sense of community have shaped the lives of its students. As the school marks five decades of education, stories like his are a powerful reminder of the school’s lasting legacy.
Keeping the Spirit Alive
To support fundraising efforts, an online raffle is running until 7:00 p.m. on the day of the event, featuring over $3,500 in prizes. There’s also a commemorative yearbook: a 130-page keepsake filled with photos, stories and the milestones that defined each decade.
Organisers hope the day isn’t just about looking back, but also about building connections that carry forward. Whether you were part of the Class of ’75 or dropped off a student last week, the message is the same: come along, be part of it, and remember what made Craigslea special in the first place.
Chermside residents now have access to a unique wellness experience, with TotalFusion launching a premium rooftop sanctuary boasting eleven saunas, plunge pools, and even a rooftop bar.
This new space, located within Westfield Shopping Centre in Chermside, aims to provide a social environment focused on relaxation and recovery for both members and casual visitors.
TotalFusion’s founder, Leon McNiece, said they designed the Chermside location to help the local community connect and better balance their work and personal lives. He believes the rooftop area will foster an inclusive social wellness atmosphere where people can unwind and feel happier.
The space design intends to evoke the feeling of a high-end rooftop in Greece, offering a luxurious escape within the convenience of the shopping centre.
The rooftop wellness area includes various facilities designed for relaxation and rejuvenation. There are eleven saunas, ranging from traditional Finnish saunas to larger infrared saunas that can accommodate up to eight people. Guests can also enjoy both hot and cold plunge pools and a steam room.
Luxury day beds are available for those looking to relax further. A rooftop bar will serve health-focused drinks, adding a social element. The centre also offers advanced biohacking technologies like red light therapy and cryotherapy.
The expansive rooftop at TotalFusion Chermside welcomes existing TotalFusion members and casual visitors. A creche service is available on-site to support busy parents. Those interested in experiencing the new facilities can now book tours to see the space.
Guest passes will also be available to the general public this week, allowing everyone to try the rooftop sanctuary. TotalFusion describes the new area as offering a premium bathhouse experience unlike anything else in Brisbane, providing a modern take on the traditional bathhouse concept where wellness feels easy and deeply restorative.
She covered over 12,700 kilometres on a surf ski around Australia.
Over 254 days at sea.
In the modern world where resilience in children is under question, Bonnie is a wonderful example of the highest standards of mental strength and resilience.
She started nippers at Sawtel from the age of five, and dreamt from the age of 12 to become Karla Gilbert (she won the Kelloggs Ironwoman Series seven years in a row from 1995 to 2003) and at the age of 17, she became a professional Iron Woman competitor, as did her sister, Courtenay. She waitressed through uni and trained every day, 6.5 km in the pool every morning under the eye of legendary coach, Denis Cotterell. After uni each day she would do 10-20 km on the surf ski, and some running on the soft sand to complete her day that tended to be complete by 7:00 p.m., with competitions at the weekends. That gruelling schedule shaped her life daily until the age of 25.
She then evolved from Iron Woman competitions into a ski paddler on an 18 kg craft, typically racing over five-minute races, whilst embarking on a career as a dietician.
Her ultra endurance journey began at Broadbeach Library, reading a book about a lady who had written a biography about it. She had 25 rejections for sponsorship before she signed her first sponsor.
Her incredible journey paddling around Australia for over 254 days began when she paddled 73 km on her first day. Then, after about a week in, the daily target was scheduled to be 90 km on that day; but half way through a few hours, she was told it had to be increased to 120 km that day as it was decided she had to go around an island. After a month of constant paddling she had bulging discs and various other illnesses, but nothing would stop her, including the crocodiles encountered.
The mental hurdles she smashed through were endless. “Being prepared to adapt your plan” was front and centre in her amazing journey. Everytime a headwind came, she became stronger, and she would realise that when the headwinds dropped.
Lemons into Lemonade!
In the interview, Bonnie talks about a lot of the challenges along the way, including some good and bad decisions she made, how she developed her work ethic, and the joy of working to a plan.
This included a discussion around parenting and sport, managing finances, how she got into ultra endurance and many other fascinating anecdotes.
It’s an amazing story.
You can watch the interview with Barry Wilkinson of Milton based SW Brokerage here:
Barry’s podcast series is full of some great information about life and finances. It covers many things including little-known tips and tricks around finance.
