Hundreds gather to mourn young assault victim Joshua Hardy

Hundreds of mourners gathered at Trinity College in Melbourne today to celebrate the life of student Joshua Hardy killed in a brutal assault last month.

Almost 500 family and friends joined in celebrating the exuberant life of the 21-year-old who died after being assaulted and stomped on outside a McDonald's on St Kilda road.

Joshua’s family has said they are working to find peace and forgiveness from this tragedy.

“Every phone call ended with I love you and I love you more,” his heartbroken father David Hardy said cherishing their last conversation.

Despite their immeasurable loss and devastation the Hardy family has found compassion for their son's killer.

“Every morning he’s going to have to look at himself in the mirror and carry an awful burden,” Mr Hardy said.