Mourners pack St Patrick’s Cathedral to farewell Les Twentyman
Les Twentyman has been remembered as a man who was “all in” for helping others at a state memorial packed with hundreds of mourners in Melbourne, where the veteran youth worker’s final kind act was revealed.
Victoria
Don't miss out on the headlines from Victoria. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Mourners donning the Western Bulldogs’ colours of blue and white have farewelled veteran youth worker Les Twentyman at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne.
Mr Twentyman, who dedicated his life to working with vulnerable youths across Melbourne’s western suburbs and had strong ties to the Western Bulldogs Football Club, died at age 76 on March 30
Australian rocker Gary “Angry” Anderson was among some of the first to arrive and could be
seen embracing other emotional attendees.
Those who delivered a tribute for Mr Twentyman include Premier Jacinta Allan, NDIS Minister Bill Shorten and comedian Jack Levi.
Numerous high-profile figures turned out to honour Mr Twentyman including Mick Gatto, former Bulldogs player Doug Hawkins, current Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge, former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett, Collingwood President Eddie McGuire, charity figure Ann Peacock and commentator Phil Cleary.
Mr Twentyman’s trademark denim jacket, reading glasses, a bottle of red wine and his mobile phone were highlighted in a procession of his best known traits and passions, which also featured scarfs from the Bulldogs, Williamstown and Sandringham football clubs.
His brother, Garry Twentyman, fondly recalled growing up with his elder brother and their siblings Mark, Sandra and Dennis in their Braybrook housing commission home, where they could often be found playing in the yard.
“Les loved his football and he loved his cricket,” Garry said.
Garry said Mr Twentyman’s close ties with AFL began as a teenager, when he played for the Albion Football Club, and later as captain at Williamstown.
Remembering his brother as a prankster, Garry said Mr Twentyman could often be found telling or playing jokes since he was a schoolboy.
Garry said Mr Twentyman worked tirelessly to give vulnerable children a better life through his foundation, and joked about his elder brother living the limelight when promoting his work.
“Les loved talking and he loved an audience,” Garry said.
“He loved the camera.
Garry said many people would miss Mr Twentyman.
“He enjoyed his mates and he’s got mates going back a long, long time,” he said.
“Big bro, I‘ll miss you.”
Mr Twentyman’s sister, Sandra Papashalis, said he was affectionately known as “Little Digger” as a child because of his father’s war service.
She said her brother “was always a free spirit” who had understood how important it was to help people from an early age.
Growing up without a lot of money, the pair would collect used bottles and rags, from which their mother would fashion the family’s clothes, she said.
Premier Jacinta Allan drew inspiration from a eulogy Mr Twentyman wrote for himself that featured in his book, the Mouth that Roared.
Using his words, she said: “yep, he lived a good life alright”
Ms Allan said Mr Twentyman was a “darkly funny and fiercely honest” man who dedicated his life to helping young people.
“You knew Les cared so deeply. He refused to give up on his kids,” she said.
“Les leaves an enormous legacy.
“Thank you, Les, for your words and your work.”
Long-time friend and NDIS Minister Bill Shorten said “Les was a Victorian to his core”.
“He was as much a part of this city as the MCG,” he said.
The pair met in the early 1990s when Les tried his hand at politics, running as an independent MP while Mr Shorten worked at the Australian Workers Union.
Mr Shorten remembered Mr Twentyman’s knack for storytelling and sense of humour.
“He had a great sense of humour, he was irreverent, dry, self-deprecating,” Mr Shorten said.
Mr Shorten said Mr Twentyman, alongside the late Father Bob, was one of Melbourne’s two “street warriors”.
“Father Bob is gone, and now we have lost Les,” Mr Shorten said.
“(He was) not worried about looking good, but focused on doing good.
“Les made a lie of that lazy excuse of learned helplessness. He opened the eyes of so many to disadvantage.
“I saw him do it on the street, in the suburbs and on television.
“His life changed the course of countless others in Les’ death, we’ve lost a great man. In his life, we’ve been given a funny and (smart) example.
“Les was all in. Always, body and soul, guts and heart.
“The man I knew invested all his hope all the time.”
Les Twentyman Foundation chairman David Young vowed that Mr Twentyman’s lifework would continue.
“Rest in peace my friend, you were truly admired by so many,” Mr Young said.
A “gentle roasting” by Mr Twentyman’s friend of many years, comedian Jack Levi, was met with chuckles and applause.
Mr Levi, who also served as Mr Twentyman’s best man at his wedding to wife Cherie, recalled his love of the camera and red wine.
“Les was a remarkable man and a great mate,” Mr Levi said.
“Les was also an amazing character who always enjoyed a laugh.
“His legacy will absolutely live on.”
Figures from both sides of politics attended to honour Mr Twentyman, including former Labor Premier Steve Bracks, Deputy Premier Ben Carroll, former Liberal Premier Jeff Kennett and Reason Party leader Fiona Patten.
Former Governor Linda Dessau, Commissioner for Children and Young people Liana Buchanan and Melbourne business and charity identity Ann Peacock were also in attendance.
Hundreds of mourners formed a guard of honour to see off Mr Twentyman’s casket.
His wife, Cherie, could be seen embracing loved ones as the family followed closely behind.
Helping people until his sudden death, Mr Twentyman had found a new pair of shoes for a young boy on the day of his death.
Sacha, an avid skateboarder, and his father Mark Whittaker bumped into Mr Twentyman just hours before his death as the 76-year-old enjoyed his favourite — a glass of red wine.
“He mentioned to Sacha that they had had some nice shoes come in and (asked if) he would like a pair,” Mr Whittaker said.
“A few days after (his death), I got a phone call from the foundation saying that was the last act through the foundation Les had done and they really wanted to see it through on his behalf.”
Sacha said he would forever remember the final act of kindness by Mr Twentyman, who also taught him how to kick a football.
“A few days later (following his death), I got a pair of Puma skate shoes because Les knew I was a skateboarder,” Sacha said.
“I’ll miss him because he was always trying to make me a movie star, he would say that to me and I’ll miss that.
“He was a really nice guy. I’ve never met anyone nicer.”
Mr Whittaker and his son would attend Christmas lunch hosted by Mr Twentyman each year.
“He always made sure I was OK. He always made me promise him that if there was any way he could help, that I would absolutely ask him,” he said.
“It was so reassuring to know he was in my corner and he is a great loss to this community.
“He lived such a rich life and there is an overwhelming sense of gratefulness for having known him.”
AI nudes of teachers shared among Melbourne schoolboys
Female teachers are leaving the industry because they fear for their safety, according to research into the alarming rise in students creating deepfake nude images.
‘Heartbreaking reality’: Cows killed, milk and beef costs to rise, as Vic drought hits hard
Drought-stricken farmers are sending tens of thousands of milking cows to slaughter and beef cattle interstate to greener pastures amid warnings the cost of dairy and meat products in Victoria are set to soar.