Melbourne social justice campaigner and youth worker Les Twentyman, 76, died.
Saturday’s Les Twentyman Foundation statement announced his death.
The charity said Les’ remarkable community service and lifetime love of giving back had benefited thousands of young Victorians and their families.
Foundation CEO Paul Burke called Twentyman’s death a “great shock.”
She says, “It was only yesterday that Les was looking for shoes and clothes for a family in need and talking about flying to the US to film a documentary he was working on.”
We support his wife, Cherie, and her family throughout this difficult time. Our hearts break.
Twenty-one grew up in Braybrook, in Melbourne’s west. Over 40 years, he promoted social welfare, drug abuse, juvenile homelessness, and jail reform in Melbourne’s western suburbs.
Young Les Twentyman was a PE teacher, Yarraville VFL coach/player, and Western Bulldogs AFL fan.
Twentyman praised the Bulldogs’ 2016 AFL grand final performance from the west.
He told the Guardian, “This puts it all in the back seat when you’re dealing with areas that are hemorrhaging with massive social issues around youth unemployment, homelessness, drug issues, and gang issues.”
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He gave kids textbooks through his Back to School initiative. The charity claims to have helped 17,000 kids stay in school since 1989.
According to the foundation, Les left a legacy of helping the needy to survive his exceptional life. He never shied away from speaking up for the voiceless.
Winner of the 1994 Order of Australia award and 2006 Victorian of the Year.
Twentyman is “one of Melbourne’s big characters,” according to NDIS Minister Bill Shorten.
“We were in contact just this week, and he worked right up ’til the last,” Shorten posted. “Thoughts and prayers to his family, friends, colleagues, and all those he helped on his path less traveled.”
The news saddened Victoria’s deputy premier, Ben Carroll.
He wrote of X, “He was always helpful, reminding me to see the child first and focus on crime causes during my time in youth justice, crime prevention, and education.”
Twenty-one acted quickly to save lives.
Rod Hardy and Twentyman have been filming a life documentary in recent months.
Burke called Twentyman a titan whose accomplishments will endure.
We’ve enjoyed working with Les through the Les Twentyman Foundation, and we’ll continue his legacy of saving youth’s futures.
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