# Les Twentyman

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**Leslie Jack Twentyman** (3 February 1948 – 30 March 2024) was an Australian youth outreach worker and community activist.[2] Raised in [Braybrook, Victoria](/source/Braybrook,_Victoria), he was a football player and coach, before becoming a social worker in the [City of Sunshine](/source/City_of_Sunshine). He was awarded the [Medal of the Order of Australia](/source/Medal_of_the_Order_of_Australia) in 1994 and [Victorian of the Year](/source/Victorian_of_the_Year) in 2004 for his outreach work. Twentyman also was an independent candidate for the Victorian Legislative Council in 1992 and 1996, and in the [2008 Kororoit state by-election](/source/2008_Kororoit_state_by-election). He was one of Victoria's best-known social campaigners on issues ranging from homelessness, drug abuse, prison reform, and welfare.

## Early life and football career

Twentyman was born in 1948 in the western suburbs of [Melbourne](/source/Melbourne), [Australia](/source/Australia), and was raised in [Braybrook, Victoria](/source/Braybrook,_Victoria).[3][4] His parents were owners of a fruit shop, and Twentyman was the oldest of five children.[5][6] He was described as a "talented" football player.[6]

Twentyman began his playing career in the [Victorian Football Association](/source/Victorian_Football_League) when he captained the under-19s side in [1966](/source/1966_VFA_season). He played for the Williamstown [reserves](/source/VFL_Development_League) side in [1967](/source/1967_VFA_season).[7]

In [1977](/source/1977_VFA_season), he captained [Yarraville](/source/Yarraville_Football_Club) to a Division 2 reserves premiership. He later coached the senior side in [1981](/source/1981_VFA_season).[8]

## Social work

Twentyman's rise to prominence as a social campaigner began in 1989. In 1984, he was employed as a social worker by the [City of Sunshine](/source/City_of_Sunshine).[9] In 1989, he created a portion of the Save the Dogs committee, after a potential merge between the [Western Bulldogs](/source/Western_Bulldogs) and [Fitzroy](/source/Fitzroy_Football_Club), which did not occur as a result.[8][9] In the same year, he formed the Les Twentyman Foundation, which helped nearly 17,000 students stay in education as of 2024.[10] Notably, the [14th Dalai Lama](/source/14th_Dalai_Lama) donated to the foundation as well.[8] In 2009, Les started working on the 20thMan Fund, assisting in youth services in the western suburbs of Melbourne.[11]

Twentyman was awarded the [Medal of the Order of Australia](/source/Order_of_Australia) (OAM) in the [1994 Birthday Honours](/source/1994_Queen's_Birthday_Honours_(Australia)), "for service to youth as an outreach worker and as founder of the 20th Man Homeless and Kids in Distress Fund";[12] he was a finalist for [Australian of the Year](/source/Australian_of_the_Year) in 2004,[13] and was named [Victorian of the Year](/source/Victorian_of_the_Year) in 2006.[14] He was known as one of [Victoria](/source/Victoria_(state))'s best known social campaigners, on issues including homelessness, drug abuse, prison reform, and social welfare.[13]

Twentyman was an independent candidate for the Victorian Legislative Council in 1992 and 1996.[9] He also stood in the [2008 Kororoit by-election](/source/Kororoit_by-election,_2008) for the Victorian Legislative Assembly on 28 June 2008, coming in third behind the [Labor](/source/Victorian_Labor_Party) and [Liberal](/source/Victorian_Liberal_Party) parties as an Independent candidate.[15][16] His campaign had been supported by the [Electrical Trades Union](/source/Electrical_Trades_Union_of_Australia) and was managed by former independent MP [Phil Cleary](/source/Phil_Cleary).[17][18]

Twentyman wrote an autobiography, *The Les Twentyman Story*, which was published by Hardie Grant in 2000.[19]

On 30 March 2024, Twentyman died at the age of 76.[20] Afterwards, the Victorian government's offer of a state funeral for Twentyman was accepted by his family, and it was held on April 16th at [St Patrick's Cathedral](/source/St_Patrick's_Cathedral,_Melbourne), East Melbourne.[21][22][23]

## References

1. ["The incredible legacy of Les Twentyman will live on through his foundation"](https://ltfoundation.com.au/the-incredible-legacy-of-les-twentyman-will-live-on-through-his-foundation/). Les Twentyman Foundation. 2 April 2024.

1. ["Vale Les Twentyman OAM"](https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/vale-les-twentyman-oam-20240330-p5fg9x.html). *[The Age](/source/The_Age)*. 30 March 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.

1. Magennis, Molly (30 March 2024). ["Revered social justice warrior Les Twentyman dies aged 76"](https://7news.com.au/news/melbourne-born-social-justice-worker-and-community-activist-les-twentyman-dies-aged-76--c-14136891). *[Seven News](/source/Seven_News)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240402023035/https://7news.com.au/news/melbourne-born-social-justice-worker-and-community-activist-les-twentyman-dies-aged-76--c-14136891) 2 April 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2 April 2024.

1. Austin, Paul (31 January 2006). ["Celebrity chef may run in state election"](http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/celebrity-chef-may-run-in-state-election/2006/01/30/1138590443354.html). *[The Age](/source/The_Age)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070929141114/http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/celebrity-chef-may-run-in-state-election/2006/01/30/1138590443354.html) 29 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 8 March 2006.

1. Gramenz, Jack & Morgan, Cassandra (30 March 2024). ["Prominent youth advocate Les Twentyman dead at 76"](https://www.dungogchronicle.com.au/story/8574150/prominent-youth-advocate-les-twentyman-dead-at-76/). *[Dungog Chronicle](/source/Dungog_Chronicle)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240402023041/https://www.dungogchronicle.com.au/story/8574150/prominent-youth-advocate-les-twentyman-dead-at-76/) 2 April 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2 April 2024.

1. ["Lunch with Les Twentyman"](https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/lunch-with-les-twentyman-20120628-213f7.html). *[The Sydney Morning Herald](/source/The_Sydney_Morning_Herald)*. 30 June 2012. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240402023033/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/lunch-with-les-twentyman-20120628-213f7.html) 2 April 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2 April 2024.

1. ["Almanac Footy: Footballers who became famous for something totally different – Part 2"](https://www.footyalmanac.com.au/almanac-footy-footballers-who-became-famous-for-something-totally-different-part-2/). The Footy Almanac. 10 September 2020. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240331000741/https://www.footyalmanac.com.au/almanac-footy-footballers-who-became-famous-for-something-totally-different-part-2/) 31 March 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 31 March 2024.

1. ["Victorian youth worker Les Twentyman dies aged 76 after dedicating years to social justice causes"](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-30/victorian-youth-worker-les-twentyman-dies-aged-76/103651146). *[Australian Broadcasting Corporation](/source/Australian_Broadcasting_Corporation)*. 30 March 2024. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240331000739/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-30/victorian-youth-worker-les-twentyman-dies-aged-76/103651146) 31 March 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 4 April 2024.

1. Cowie, Tom (30 March 2024). ["'Don't know where I'd be without him': Battlers pay tribute to Les Twentyman"](https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/don-t-know-where-i-d-be-without-him-battlers-pay-tribute-to-les-twentyman-20240330-p5fgai.html). *[The Age](/source/The_Age)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240403013340/https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/don-t-know-where-i-d-be-without-him-battlers-pay-tribute-to-les-twentyman-20240330-p5fgai.html) 3 April 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 4 April 2024.

1. Taylor, Josh (30 March 2024). ["'One of Melbourne's big characters': youth worker Les Twentyman dies aged 76"](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/mar/30/one-of-melbournes-big-characters-youth-worker-les-twentyman-dies-aged-76). *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)*. [ISSN 0261-3077](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0261-3077). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240404142640/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/mar/30/one-of-melbournes-big-characters-youth-worker-les-twentyman-dies-aged-76) 4 April 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 4 April 2024.

1. ["Life on streets with Les: Gangs, pangs, pride of 'wild west'"](https://brimbanknorthwest.starweekly.com.au/uncategorized/275577-life-on-streets-with-les-gangs-pangs-pride-of-wild-west/). *Brimbank & North West*. 21 August 2012. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240404142719/https://brimbanknorthwest.starweekly.com.au/uncategorized/275577-life-on-streets-with-les-gangs-pangs-pride-of-wild-west/) 4 April 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 4 April 2024.

1. ["Leslie Jack Twentyman"](https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/873597). *Australian Honours Search Facility, Dept of the Prime Minister and Cabinet*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201026051948/https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/873597) 26 October 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 22 October 2020.

1. ["Melbourne youth worker Les Twentyman remembered as a 'legend'"](https://www.9news.com.au/national/australian-news-melbourne-youth-worker-les-twentyman-remembered-as-a-living-legend/98a83db8-9789-45d5-9e52-bb7f53ff4831). *[Nine News](/source/Nine_News)*. 31 March 2024. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240404022106/https://www.9news.com.au/national/australian-news-melbourne-youth-worker-les-twentyman-remembered-as-a-living-legend/98a83db8-9789-45d5-9e52-bb7f53ff4831) 4 April 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 4 April 2024.

1. ["Awards"](https://www.victoriaday.org.au/awards/). *Victoria Day Council*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240317161910/https://www.victoriaday.org.au/awards/) 17 March 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 1 April 2024.

1. ["Kororoit District By-Election 2008 Provisional Results"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080702045121/http://www.vec.vic.gov.au/stateby2008resultKororoitDistrict.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.vec.vic.gov.au/stateby2008resultKororoitDistrict.html) on 2 July 2008. Retrieved 28 June 2008.

1. ["Kororoit By-election"](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2008-06-28/kororoit-by-election/9389008). *[Australian Broadcasting Corporation](/source/Australian_Broadcasting_Corporation)*. 27 June 2008. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240404022106/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2008-06-28/kororoit-by-election/9389008) 4 April 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 4 April 2024.

1. ["Kororoit by-election preview"](https://www.pollbludger.net/2008/06/26/kororoit-by-election-preview/). *The Poll Bludger*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240404022107/https://www.pollbludger.net/2008/06/26/kororoit-by-election-preview/) 4 April 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 4 April 2024.

1. Edmonds, Mike & Ferguson, John (12 June 2008). ["Les Twentyman joins Kororoit by-election race"](https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/les-twentyman-joins-poll-race/news-story/cebd0950fffadc7f5ad141f95c66c01a). *[Herald Sun](/source/Herald_Sun)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240404022106/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/les-twentyman-joins-poll-race/news-story/cebd0950fffadc7f5ad141f95c66c01a) 4 April 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 4 April 2024.

1. Twentyman, Les (1 September 2000). [*The Les Twentyman Story*](https://books.google.com/books?id=I1zHgY-KTA8C). Prahran, Victoria, Australia: Hardie Grant Books. ISBN 978-1-74273-365-4. [OCLC 763154389](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/763154389). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240401072400/https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Les_Twentyman_story.html?id=I1zHgY-KTA8C) 1 April 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 1 April 2024. – via [Google Books](/source/Google_Books)

1. Taylor, Josh (30 March 2024). ["'One of Melbourne's big characters': youth worker Les Twentyman dies aged 76"](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/mar/30/one-of-melbournes-big-characters-youth-worker-les-twentyman-dies-aged-76). *The Guardian*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240404142640/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/mar/30/one-of-melbournes-big-characters-youth-worker-les-twentyman-dies-aged-76) 4 April 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 30 March 2024.

1. Godde, Callum (4 April 2024). ["Public to farewell Melbourne youth worker Les Twentyman"](https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8580411/public-to-farewell-melbourne-youth-worker-les-twentyman/). *[The Canberra Times](/source/The_Canberra_Times)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240404053742/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8580411/public-to-farewell-melbourne-youth-worker-les-twentyman/) 4 April 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 4 April 2024.

1. ["Victorians from all walks of life gather to farewell renowned youth worker Les Twentyman"](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-16/les-twentyman-youth-worker-state-funeral/103728258). *ABC News*. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 16 April 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.

1. McCaffrey, Lily (16 April 2024). ["Victorian youth worker Les Twentyman farewelled in state funeral"](https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/news/victorian-youth-worker-les-twentyman-farewelled-in-state-funeral/news-story/0087ab4452c0d2537be6a565a91c794f). *news.com.au*. News Corp Australia. NCA Newswire. Retrieved 10 May 2024.

## External links

- [Les Twentyman Foundation website](https://www.ltfoundation.com.au/)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Les Twentyman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Twentyman) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Twentyman?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.