Leon James (Leo) Robinson

Leon died as a result of an attack by 4 teenagers at Hillarys Boat Harbour.

His attackers were acquitted by a jury. There was a huge outcry from the

community and as a result new but lesser charges were laid, including one

individual being charged with interfering with witnesses. These charges have

been dealt with by the Court. Cameron Francis Murcutt was convicted of

threatening witnesses and is awaiting sentencing by the Court.

Leon's life story as told by his dad.

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Leon began his life as he left it. He was fighting for life. His birth was a lengthy and traumatic one. Leon never gave up anything easily and was reluctant to abandon a nice warm womb. He had to be persuaded to make his presence known to the world at large. This required a rather large suction cap being fitted to his head and being physically pulled out of his nice warm accommodation and thrust into the wide world. He looked like a runty little rabbit to everyone but his parents who immediately knew better. They could see the most perfect child ever born and could never be persuaded otherwise. Before long he was hustled away to give his exhausted mother and bewildered father time to recuperate.

Leon's life of adventure started right then. Nurses from another ward abducted him. Why? you might ask. Well it seems Leon's grandfather was also in the hospital, supposedly dying and the nurses decided that he had the right to see his new grandson (who would bring the tally up to eleven) before his demise. Between Leon and Pa they hatched a scheme whereby Pa stayed around for four more years so that Leon could learn all the hiding places for the treats Pa always had. He also had the job of looking after Pa when his parents were working. Pa went on to discover which side of his bed was actually his and rediscovered skills he had forgotten, ie changing nappies. These two formed a special bond and when Pa passed away Leon's description of the event was that Pa went on a rocket ship to heaven.

His early days were exiting especially for his parents because they never really knew were he was. It seemed like everyone wanted a share of him and he spent many nights sleeping over at friends and relatives and usually was reluctant to come home. Leon developed as any normal boy did and suffered most of the normal childhood diseases with only a fairly severe case of pneumonia out of the norm. It demonstrated Leon's ability to bring the best out of people because his uncle rather than just giving him a cold shower to bring down his temperature decided to share his discomfort and join him under the shower. The sight of his uncle freezing his nuts off was only slightly less amusing than the sight of Leon clutching him like a little monkey.

He managed to involve his Aunts in his next major drama. Off on a holiday to Rottnest with parental warnings such as be careful, do what tour Aunts tell you, Leon managed his first helicopter ride, straight to Fremantle Hospital for the first of his operations. This holiday consisted of a ferry trip to Rotto, a very brief lecture on how to ride a bike on Rotto and a very severe crash. All in the matter of a few hours.

Leon was insistent that he be involved in everything that happened. So much so that he (with the grudging OK from his father) decided that he at the age of about 4 or 5 should learn how to drive trucks and more especially Bobcats. He liked to tell everyone who was interested and those who weren't what an experienced operator he had become. Working in the shed was a favourite pastime and he was able to tell his father how things needed to be fixed.

School in Boulder was great for a kid like Leon. Located just across the road it meant he was always ready for any action that took place. He was very popular with his classmates and teachers and as usual participated in every activity available.

Being such a small school he figured prominently in school sports and was never happier than displaying his winning ribbons. Academically he achieved average results with most teachers agreeing that more effort should be placed on indoor education.

Leon was the happiest boy in the world over the arrival of his new baby brother Joel.

He immediately took him under his wing and throughout his life the pair were never far from each other. Leon adored Joel and Joel idolised Leon. Apart from a few instances of sibling rivalry they shared a very interesting life. Living in Kalgoorlie/Boulder meant doing without the beach but it was made up for by the great red dirt. Leon and Joel would play for hours and end up looking like two little red bundles of dirt. Lack of an ocean was made up for by endless hot baths in an endeavour to make them presentable to others. When the odd storm hit Boulder it gave them tremendous opportunities for water sports like floating toy boats down the flooded road or better still playing in the luscious red mud that was created.

Trips to the bush, to America together and their passion Lacrosse.

As youngsters the pair of them loved to go bush. Camping out was a huge adventure. On one trip to Kookynie they discovered the water tank under the 4wd and proceeded to tell everyother kid at the campsite about it. No problem you might think, however when Mum and Dad want to make their morning tea, Big problem. It seems like each kid at the site considered the water tank community property for washing hands, doing dishes, cleaning teeth. God only knows what use was made of 100 litres of water but it wasn't for any of those purposes.

They did allow some time for school and were both average students heavily involved in any sports on offer. Leon became involved in hockey (he was very good) football (average) and made up the school swimming team. His favourite school sport was rowing, no doubt influenced by his grandfather Dinny and he excelled at it. One of his biggest disappointments was to miss out on selection for the 8's crew. His smaller statue led his coach to believe that his output was not great enough. Their loss.

Their first game of Lacrosse together happened by accident. Leon's team were short a player and they managed to persuade Joel (who at this time had his eyes focused on a career in the AFL) to fill the vacant space. Joel at age 8 was the smallest kid on the field and didn't really look to be a danger to the opposition. They were soon put straight. Leon won the centre draw, passed the ball to Joel who promptly shot a goal. All in the first 30 seconds. This led to both of them devoting their energy to Lacrosse.

There was no holding Leon back when it came to his involvement with Lacrosse, initially with Bayswater and then Wembley. He rarely missed a training session and the only missed game was when his father's car broke down. The team lost that day and his dad had a lot to make up for.  He was a key player for premiership teams in every grade he played in including under 17's when he was 14. He set his mind on being in the West Australian state team and went on to play in every state team he tried out for (apart from one when work commitments held him back). Leon's career in Lacrosse was stellar and he achieved a huge amount of respect within the game for his dedication. Leon also got to play Lacrosse in America and was an outstanding success. He was able to use this experience to get selected in the WA State 17's even when his selection was overruled by a committee who considered him too young and too small. He was able to convince them they were wrong and as a result went on to become a very important member of the team. He made many lifelong friends from his Lacrosse career and leaves many special memories.

Unfortunately an injury to his shoulder followed by operations led to his being unable to play any more.

Leon also decided that surf lifesaving looked good. So off he went to become an important crewmember in a boat. Leon always liked to look the part so when he found out about the way to wear Speedos he embraced the concept with enthusiasm. Like all the other crew when they were about to leap into the boat they would perform wedgies on themselves. All the spectators got a birds eye view of eight proudly displayed butts and a lot of embarrassed parents. Alas Leon's shoulder injury caused him to give surfboats up but he still continued to ride the waves on boards and bogie boards.

Leon knew what he wanted he just wasn't sure how to go about it. After all the TV dream jobs like Marine Biologist were ruled out a chance conversation between his Father and Uncle set his mind in action. While the two were reminiscing about how a lack of a Profession or Trade made life difficult. Upon hearing that in their opinion there were no poor electricians or plumbers Leon's search for an occupation was ended. All that was now required was a willing employer willing to accept Leon's ambition. Electrical Group Training fitted the bill. After they modified their work practices to suit him a very successful apprenticeship followed. Leon had also worked for McDonalds for a few years before he entered into the apprenticeship. He had the usual difficulties that come when tradespeople and teachers try to explain something to someone who already has the answers. He was in the top group for his year and was runner up for electrical apprentice of the year. He embraced the union movement when he discovered what a difference they can make to the weekly pay packet.

A nautical life was what he had wanted ever since he was a toddler. No pool, pond, lake, swamp, river or ocean was too great a challenge. This must have been the reason to buy a boat because it wasn't long before he had made friendship with the local sea search and rescue organization. Why let a dodgy outboard motor keep you away from the fishing grounds.

Never one to waste an opportunity, Leon aware of the fact that his driving habits would soon leave him on without drivers licence, bought a house. Not just any house but one that had been extensively renovated to grow crops of marihuana. A little bit of hot wiring had led to a fire and as a result the house was for sale at a heavy discount. Taking advantage of his lack of wheels he enthusiastically involved himself and any nearby people into renovating the property. One of the willing workers commented that his working career involved following the instructions of William John Robinson (Leon's Pa) at the Public Trust Office and now in his retirement following the instructions of his grandson.

Leon forged a relationship and she formed such a huge part of his life that they moved in together and started living as a couple shortly before Xmas 2002. Leon had many plans for them both.

Leon was no angel but he embraced life with a passion and never had any bad feelings to anyone. He achieved so much in his lifetime that he was led to comment to his mother "you know I have got everything I need".

On Christmas Day 2002 Leon died from injuries received when four people attacked him.

We are all poorer for this.