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Les Twentyman
Leslie Twentyman was a prominent youth outreach worker and community activist in the western suburbs of Melbourne. Raised in Braybrook, he is one of Victoria's best-known social campaigners on issues ranging from homelessness, drug abuse, prison reform and social welfare.
In 1984, Twentyman and Ron Coleman, then owner of the Western Times, founded the 20th Man Fund to give 10 young homeless people a Christmas party. Now The Les Twentyman Foundation, the fund has grown exponentially to become a vital resource for young people, dedicated to providing positive intervention and unconditional support to thousands of Australia’s at-risk youth each year. Twentyman was a prominent presence in the media from the 1980s, featuring in hundreds of TV, radio and print interviews, and developed personal relationships with countless celebrities, politicians and media-insiders to promote his cause.
Les Twentyman’s work was formally recognised in 1994, when he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia; in 2004, as a finalist for Australian of the Year; and in 2006, when he was awarded Victorian of the Year.
He died 30th March 2024. You can read his obituary in The Age here.
