How Patrick Cronin Foundation is protecting other Victorian kids from one-punch violence

Schoolkids across Victorian will be taught about the dangers of coward punches with the rollout of a dedicated program in hundreds of schools.

Matt and Robyn Cronin aim to protect other young Victorians from violence after their son Patrick was killed in a coward punch attack Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Victorian schoolkids will be taught about the dangers of coward punches with the rollout of a dedicated program across 200 schools.

The Be Wise Education Program will be presented to thousands of students after a $150,000 state government investment in the Pat Cronin Foundation.

The foundation was set up by the family of 19-year-old Pat who was killed by a coward punch when he stepped in to help mates during a pub brawl in 2016.

Pat was trying to drag his friends to safety after a wild brawl erupted.

He didn’t throw a single punch himself, but was punched in the head by Andrew Lee, a martial arts student, who was subsequently jailed for a minimum five-year term

Pat’s family have since committed to raising awareness of the harm caused by one-punch assaults.

“The government’s investment in the Be Wise Education program helps us with our core mission to stop social violence and end the coward punch,” dad Matt said.

“Our presentations help empower students by giving them an understanding of Pat’s story and fostering discussion about anger, aggression and strategies to deal with these issues.”

Education minister James Merlino said the funding would help deliver 200 presentations to government and non-government schools in 2021.

He said the awareness program complemented the Victorian personal and social capability curriculum and provided students with resources and presentations to raise awareness about the drivers and consequences of social violence.

“It is vital to educate Victorian students that violence is never the solution and just a single punch could take a life,” he said.

“We’re helping our students make wise decisions – for their sake, and to make our community safer.”