The Les Twentyman Foundation has welcomed Maribyrnong council’s decision to name a meeting room at Footscray Town Hall after the late youth worker.
Meeting Room G.4 will now be known as the Les Twentyman Room after councillors unanimously voted in favour of a recommendation from council officers that the name be formally adopted.
The unanimous vote in support at the June 18 council meeting was in stark contrast to when the idea was first put before council on April 15 and three Greens councillors voted against, arguing Mr Twentyman deserved better recognition.
Despite the notice of motion passing by 4-3, the votes against upset Mr Twentyman’s widow Cherie Coon and staff from his foundation who were present in the chamber.
Les Twentyman Foundation chief executive Paul Burke thanked councillors for this time giving the naming proposal unanimous support, making special mention of those who helped bring it about.
“In particular we would like to thank Cr Cuc Lam for bringing the motion to honour Les forward and also to councillors who made the effort to meet with the Foundation to discuss how the council may be able to commemorate Les extraordinary life in helping young people across Melbourne’s west,” Mr Burke said.
Among those who spoke in support of formally naming the meeting room after Mr Twentyman was Cr Elena Pereyra, one of the Greens councillors who originally voted against.
Cr Pereyra said the fact the meeting room faced a memorial outside Footscray Police station for the knife exchange program that Mr Twentyman established, made it a fitting tribute.
“It’s more than just a sign on the door, it’s a reminder of the power of advocacy and compassion,” she said.
Mr Twentyman died in March last year aged 76 after a long illness.
