The medical team caring for Joshua at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital started bringing Joshua out of an induced coma late on Thursday and he opened his eyes on Friday.
While the family now live in Australia, they lived in Stratford some years ago, where Andy was a fire brigade officer and Rachel, Joshua's mother, worked at Caltex. Both Joshua and his sister Ashley attended Stratford Primary school.
Andy says although Joshua's progress is "minimal" at this point, he says he is improving every day. "He is a strong kid."
The next step, says Andy, is for the specialists' team to meet and identify the next steps for Josh, because the extent of brain damage he may have suffered has yet to be identified.
"The hospital have advised that Joshy will remain in hospital for quite some time, with his rehabilitation lengthy and costly. Until a full assessment of his injuries can be identified there is a lot of unknown."
Joshua was allegedly attacked after an argument broke out between a group of men outside a McDonald's outlet in Redcliffe, Brisbane. Police have charged a Brisbane man, Jake Law-Cobbo, 18, with grievous bodily harm.
Law-Cobbo, 18, remains in custody after being denied bail last week. The case has been adjourned to July 5.
Meanwhile, Joshua's family are taking each day as it comes, and Andy says the love and support they have received from all over the world, "especially from our home country, New Zealand," has been overwhelming.
"We love and thank you all so very much."
• A Givealittle page has been set up by Joshua's aunt, Raiha Hooker. She says all proceeds from the page will go to assist Joshua's mum and dad to stay by his bedside while he recovers, and to assist with the ongoing rehabilitation costs in the future.
