Friends and family pay tribute to youth worker and social justice advocate Les Twentyman

As Bells told, the ultimate sign of respect. A farewell to Les Twentyman one last time inside St. Patricks Cathedral, the service was told of a figure who loomed large over Melbourne. I think he was. As much a part of this great city. As our mighty MCG, Leslie’s life began in Braybrook in 1948 in Melbourne’s West, the eldest of five and that’s where his social conscience was born. Fancy a poor boy from Braybrook having his life celebrated in this way? Les would be ecstatic. Big bro, Miss you sport was his first love, his football team, Sandringham, Williamstown and his beloved Western Bulldogs front and centre. Liz knew that sport provided a sense of belonging that, win or lose, binds people together. Before he delved head first into social work for four decades, Les dedicated his life to helping vulnerable and disadvantaged young people in Melbourne’s West. Because Les was. All in all ways. Body and soul. Guts and Heart implementing support programs through his Les Twentyman Foundation to address a range of social issues. You were our lifeblood and inspiration and importantly, our voice on everything to do with youth affairs, his friend, comedian Jack Levi. Remembering a life LED with humility and humour. In conversation, Les would often say the words. Let me tell you a story. A few years ago he caused a bit of a sensation, told a story without one bit of name dropping. His casket surrounded by the broad spectrum of people whose lives he helped improve. Yes, I started as an older boy and went through a lot of bad problems in the early days that he helped me all the way through, that he saved my life in ways that he didn’t know. My son has been out of trouble for a whole year now. He was a really nice guy. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone nicer. A proud son of the West whose legacy lives on.