In those sepia-stained years, Debra and Martin Robinson sent their two boys off to Perth’s Sacred Heart College, hoping the school would help make the teenagers’ dreams come true.
Yesterday, the parents returned to the school after living the ultimate nightmare.
Because the visit was not to talk about dreams coming true, but to pay a tearful tribute to the sons they’re so proud of.
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Perth brothers Jake and Callum Robinson were farewelled in a heart-wrenching private memorial on Saturday, where they were remembered by their grieving parents, family and childhood friends.
Six weeks ago, the men were shot dead, along with their American friend Jack Rhoad, while on a surfing trip in Mexico.
Hundreds gathered at the college in Sorrento — where the brothers attended high school — on Saturday afternoon to remember the fun-loving pair, whose lives were tragically cut short in a bungled robbery.
Those who could not fit into the college theatre watched the private event on screens in other parts of the school grounds, and scores more were provided with a link to watch from home, interstate, or overseas.
Mrs and Mr Robinson were joined by about 800 people at the school to farewell their boys.
“It’s hard to describe the feeling of when your adult children come and visit you until it’s gone,” Mrs Robinson said.
“They loved life, and they followed their dreams. They were intelligent, respectful men with so much more to offer the world.”
And what they offered the world seemed to be full of joy — as if they lived their short lives forever young.
The cover of a memorial brochure bore the words ‘LIVE BIGGER, SHINE BRIGHTER, LOVE HARDER’.
And, going by the photos displayed at the service, the siblings certainly fulfilled that phrase, seemingly doing so with constant smiles flashing across their faces.
Callum, 32, was a lacrosse star who represented Australia and played professionally in the US, where he was affectionately known as the “Big Koala”.
Jake, 31, was a doctor who was about to begin a new job at a hospital in Geelong and was also passionate about surfing and travel.
Through deep breaths and shaky voices, the grieving parents described how their two sons exuded “pure love”.
“We love that Jake was curious, kind and happy — and never judgmental,” Mrs Robinson said.
“Callum always made a conscious decision to wake up and be positive every day. He saw so much fun in life.
“We love that they loved every single dog in the world.”
In more light-hearted moments, childhood friends Adam Moore and Simon Moore shared anecdotes about their friendships with the brothers.
Adam spoke of the pair’s never-ending boisterous energy and their ability to “excel at any sport imaginable”, whether it be tee-ball, surf club, footy or lacrosse.
“All they wanted to do was get bigger, stronger and better at whatever they were involved in,” Adam said.
“We’ll miss Callum’s smile and bear hugs.”
And Simon spoke of their surfing adventures through the years, often involving an intense debrief with the boys’ dad “Marty” at the local McDonald’s accompanied by chocolate sundaes.
Ruairy Read, who studied medicine with Jake and would later travel overseas with him, spoke of his incredibly gifted and loving friend.
“Jake was a brilliant doctor, with a smile on his face always, and was loved by all,” Mr Read said.
“And while he was undoubtedly a great doctor, his true gift was his love for family and friends.”
Towards the end of the memorial, Mrs Robinson addressed the room, saying she and Mr Robinson hoped everyone would “find your own way to honour them in the way you live your life”.
“We miss you beyond description. Callum and Jakey, boy, please shine on us.”
The brothers and their friend Jack were on a surfing trip when they were allegedly robbed of their car tyres and murdered while camping in the Ensenada region in Mexico.
They were last seen alive on April 27.
Mrs and Mr Robinson travelled to the other side of the world after their sons’ bodies were recovered from a 15m-deep well in the La Bocana, Santo Tomas district.
Authorities confirmed the trio were killed after they tried to de-escalate the situation when robbers ambushed them to steal the tyres on the pick-up truck they were driving.
A member of the Sinaloa cartel has since claimed the men accused of carrying out the robbery — Jesus Gerardo Garcia Cota and his brother Cristian Alejandro Garcia — were not part of the criminal organisation.
In an Ensenada court, prosecutors claimed that Jesus had driven his girlfriend’s car to the area where the Robinsons and Jack were camping sometime between the afternoon of Saturday, April 27, and Sunday morning, ambushing the trio.
The girlfriend of one of the alleged killers — Ari Gisel Garcia Cota — was first arrested by authorities after she was found in possession of one of their mobile phones.
Her partner, Jesus, and his brother, Cristian, were arrested soon after. Jesus has been charged with forced kidnapping, which is expected to be upgraded to murder. He will remain in custody until November when he is due to appear in court next.
After her arrest, Ari revealed what she knew about the disappearance of the men and has since been described as a key witness in the case who is assisting authorities.
The Attorney-General said investigators were confident more than three people were involved and had not ruled out the possibility of more people being charged.