Blake Willis, aged 26, was visiting his family for Christmas from Perth and was walking a short distance home from a New Year's Eve party when he was attacked from behind on Raye Street in Tolland about 9.30am.

During the attack his jaw was broken to the point where it split in half at the front of his face, requiring treatment in Canberra Hospital and insertion of metal plates.

Blake's mum, Leanne Rankin said her son could easily have suffered brain damage or died during the assault.

The family suspect he was kicked in the face or hit with a baseball bat after being pulled to the ground.

"Blake had his hair in a pony tail and they grabbed him from behind," Leanne said.

"That's really all he could remember for a while."

Blake was knocked unconscious during the assault but managed to walk back to his mum's street in Lloyd.

"I had no idea how long I was out for. My shorts were covered in blood but I had no idea at the time that my jaw had been broken," he said.

Blake was spotted by a neighbour who called Leanne.

"With his injuries, he is lucky to be alive. He has no brain injuries, so I'm blessed in that way but I cannot believe that this has happened," Leanne said.

"I don't want this to happen to anyone else's kid.

"The doctor said if he had been hit anywhere else on his head, he would not be here."

Blake's father Bradley Willis said it was "unbelievable" that youths had thrown rocks at their car when he drove to Raye Street to retrace his son's steps.

Leanne's husband, Rodney Rankin, said he had spent 20 years in Wagga and had seen public safety deteriorate.

"The scariest thing is that this happened during the day," he said.

"You can't walk safely home at that time of day and you wonder what is going on in Wagga.

"I cannot understand why we tolerate this. We don't feel safe anymore."

The family are reluctant to criticise police but are frustrated as they have received only an email about victim services since the assault.

"Why can't they find them? I don't know but we can't have faith in someone who can't protect us," Leanne said.

"If we tried retaliation, we would be in jail. They treat the assailants better than the victims."

The family have urged anyone with information about the assault to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.