An allegedly unprovoked, coward punch attack on Will Young in the middle of Albury left the 19-year-old man fighting for his life in the early hours on Sunday morning.
Now his family wants the Border community to unite with a loud message that this type of violence is unacceptable.
Mr Young was in Dean Street about 3am when he was allegedly knocked unconscious and then punched and kicked by two men while lying on the ground.
The attack left him with serious injuries and he was flown to The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, where he was placed on life-support.
Albury police have charged two men with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and the matter will come before the court at a later date.
But in the meantime, his mum Tania, dad Andrew and sister Annabel have been by his side in hospital, appalled by what happened to their son and brother.
Mrs Young thanked the Albury community for the love and support that has been sent their way since the incident.
"This was an attack by two people who deserve to face the consequences of their actions as there are no excuses," she said.
"The result of this attack is that Will almost died.
"He has suffered a bleed to his brain and other serious injuries."
While Mr Young was taken off life-support on Tuesday night, he still has a long recovery ahead of him.
"This assault has put William's studies at university on hold for the foreseeable future. His other plans of travel and work progression have also been derailed," Mrs Young said.
"We would like people to discuss this incident.
"Talk to your family, friends, neighbours, work colleagues; bring it up at your social club or sporting club.
"We need to increase the message within the community that violence is not OK."
Mr Young had been a junior player at St Pats Football Club and the club has offered support to the man they call "Wolfy".
The club's Facebook page stated: "This senseless and cowardly violence needs to stop. This can happen to anyone, even though it shouldn't".
"The club will be supporting Will, with fundraising efforts in the coming months, to assist with his ongoing recovery," president John Mahoney said.
