Les Twentyman remembered within Footscray Town Hall
Published on 18 June 2025
A meeting room in the newly refurbished Footscray Town Hall will be renamed the Les Twentyman Room to honour Les’ legacy to social justice, particularly among young people in Victoria.
The ground floor meeting room in the heritage-listed Town Hall was chosen for its accessibility and is available for community bookings. As a welcoming and inclusive space, it aims to bring people together, fostering connection and collaboration in the hope of inspiring a new generation to work collectively toward positive, lasting change.
Leslie ‘Les’ Twentyman OAM, who grew up in Braybrook, was a well-known figure in youth outreach and community advocacy. Over the years, he played a pivotal role in supporting vulnerable populations, tackling issues such as homelessness, substance abuse, prison reform, and social inequality.
His decades of dedication earned him recognition across Victoria and Australia. In 1994, he received the Medal of the Order of Australia. He was later named a finalist for Australian of the Year in 2004 and recognised as Victorian of the Year in 2006 for his tireless work in community support.
In 2025, the Council renamed its Youth Leadership Award to the 'Les Twentyman Youth Leadership Award' in recognition of his lifelong advocacy for Victoria's most vulnerable communities, particularly in the area of youth justice. This award continues to celebrate outstanding young leaders who demonstrate exceptional commitment to serving their community and making a positive difference in the lives of others.
Les Twentyman passed away on 30 March 2024, at the age of 76, leaving behind a lasting legacy of compassion, courage, and community service.
The community is welcome to book spaces, including the Les Twentyman meeting room, within the new Civic Precinct and Community Hub which features nine bookable spaces for events of all sizes, from small meetings to large gatherings, with flexible layouts for exhibitions, networking, and more. For more information please visit, Venues for hire.
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