Renowned Youth Worker Les Twentyman Honored at State Funeral in Melbourne

A state funeral is set to take place in Melbourne to celebrate the life and legacy of esteemed youth worker, Les Twentyman. The event will be held at St Patrick's Cathedral in Victoria, commemorating his profound impact on the community.

Les Twentyman, a notable figure in Victoria, dedicated his life to advocating for issues such as homelessness, drug abuse, prison reform, and social welfare. Through the Les Twentyman Foundation, he worked tirelessly to support and engage young people with their education, families, and communities.

Recognized for his contributions, Twentyman was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1994, named Australian of the Year finalist in 2004, and honored as Victorian of the Year in 2006. His commitment to social causes and empowering the youth made him a well-respected individual.

Born in the western suburb of Braybrook in Melbourne, Twentyman’s impact extended beyond his advocacy work. He was actively involved with the Save the Dogs committee during a critical period for the Western Bulldogs AFL team, formerly known as Footscray, in 1989.

His influence even reached the political sphere, as he ran for Victorian parliament in various elections, including a bid for the upper house in 1992 and 1996, and a run in the lower house for the Kororoit by-election in 2008.

In honor of his legacy, Australian flags will be flown at half-mast on the day of his state funeral across all Victorian government buildings as a mark of respect. His impact on the community and dedication to social causes will be remembered for years to come.

As the community gathers to bid farewell to a true advocate for change, Les Twentyman’s family has requested that donations be made to the Les Twentyman Foundation in lieu of flowers, as a testament to his enduring impact on the lives of young Victorians.

The Australian Associated Press will be covering the state funeral, capturing the moments of remembrance and celebration of Twentyman’s life, ensuring that his legacy continues to inspire future generations.