Sue Robbins: Long-time Coolangatta councillor’s tragic death in November 2004
One of the Gold Coast City Council’s best-loved members died suddenly, leaving family, friends and colleagues devastated and remember her as leaving a “profound impact”.
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The Gold Coast has lost several of its political leaders while in office.
The early 1980s saw the devastating deaths of federal MP Eric Robinson and Mayor Keith Hunt within a short period of time, while Albert Shire councillor John Franklin was killed in a freak tree-lopping accident at Reedy Creek in 1993.
It was another 11 years before another tragedy rocked city hall.
Coolangatta councillor Sue Robbins was one of the Gold Coast’s most high-profile civic leaders.
Having been first elected to the Albert Shire council in 1994, she was elected to the new Gold Coast council in 1997.
By 2004 she had been twice re-elected and had become one of the powerful committee heads.
She died suddenly of a heart attack at the Robbins family’s Tallebudgera Valley home on November 13, 2004.
She was unable to be revived despite the best efforts of paramedics and her husband Ken.
Ms Robbins, who was 48, was survived by her husband and daughter Bree.
“She went for an early-morning walk. She came back and rested on the bed and then had the heart attack,’’ Mr Robbins said at the time.
“She never spoke. I tried to revive her for 45 minutes. She wasn’t in any pain, she just didn’t speak.
“Sue has had heart problems. The family has a history of heart problems on her father’s side.’’
Ms Robbins had earlier that year undergone surgery to unclog a major artery after having a minor heart attack
It was the latest in a series of health issues, which had begun with a 1995 car crash when an unlicensed driver had ploughed into her vehicle while unlicensed.
Her death devastated her family and colleagues.
Bree Robbins paid tribute to her mother.
“It’s just heart wrenching,’’ she said.
“We were very close. It seems so strange coming to the house and she is not here.
“I will be lost without her.”
Then-deputy mayor and close friend David Power said Mr Robbins had earned the nickname “blue heeler” for her ability to deal with issues for residents.
“There would be few councillors in the past 30 years who have had such a profound impact on the way this city has developed and functions,’’ he said at the time
“She was passionate about quality and scrupulously honest in the application of her duties.
“She often wore her heart on her sleeve.
“She was one of the hardest fighters for things she believed in.
“This city is genuinely a poorer place without her being here.’’
Then-mayor Ron Clarke and his wife Helen visited the Robbins family property to offer their condolences.
Close friend and fellow councillor Jan Grew remembered Ms Robbins fondly in an emotional interview.
“I just can’t imagine walking into a council meeting and she won’t be there,’’ said Cr Grew.
“She backed me up when I needed her, we would tag team at council meetings.
“She was a great support.
“She just put her heart and soul into the job.’’
Another colleague, Daphne McDonald, described Ms Robbins as a “bright light” who breathed life into dull meetings.
A by-election was held in Division 14 which was won by her sister-in-law Chris Robbins.
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