Pat Cronin will always be 19 years old. He will never have another birthday, or play another footy game, or finish studying health science and physiotherapy under the scholarship he was awarded.
Pat went out on Saturday, April 16, 2016, for a few quiet drinks with mates after playing his first senior football match alongside his big brother. He wasn’t a fighter, it just wasn’t his scene. But when a brawl started to build outside the pub, being the loyal and caring mate he was, Pat stepped in to pull a friend away. It was then that Pat was punched in the head from behind.
He stayed on his feet, checking all his mates were Ok, but soon after he started to develop symptoms, had a seizure and was taken to hospital unconscious. Two days later, his family had to make the agonising decision to turn off his life support.
A quietly spoken, gentle natured young man with a fierce determination, Pat deeply loved his family and friends. His death has left a gaping hole in their lives and caused devastation among his friends and the broader community. Pat’s family said, “If this can happen to us, it can happen to anyone. Pat isn’t here to take care of his mates anymore, but we are.”
The Pat Cronin foundation was set up Pat’s family to honour his life by helping young Australians make wise decisions to can end the senseless violence that devastates families and communities, together.
At the Pat Cronin Foundation their vision is simple—a world free from the Coward Punch.
They work to achieve this vision by providing an optimistic voice and empowering approach to awareness, education and research, working with schools, clubs, community groups and young people to End the Coward Punch together.
Tuesday Sessions
On Tuesday the foundation will be presenting sessions at the Birchip P-12 School and in the evening at 7.30 p.m., at the Birchip Community Leisure Centre. Following a meal at 7 o’clock, they will be providing a community session for players and supporters of the local sporting clubs, parents and interested community members.
The Be Wise presentations use Pat’s story to show the audience the dangers of even a single coward punch. This will help community members to reflect on their own attitudes, beliefs and behaviours about violence, and empower attendees to be a part of a changing culture that does not accept violence and works together to “End the Coward Punch”.
We know that Pat’s story is not a one-off, and it is hoped that by hosting these Be Wise presentations in the local area we can help them in their work in reducing assaults and Coward Punch attacks and encourage our communities to “Be Wise. Think carefully. Act kindly”.
