By Benjamin Millar
Australia’s outgoing Governor General has visited a Footscray youth service as one of his final official duties.
Sir Peter Cosgrove and his wife Lady Cosgrove recently toured the Les Twentyman Foundation’s new offices in the historic Junction Hotel building on Whitehall Street, now dubbed Penfold House after being donated for the use of the service by Alan Johnstone of Penfold Motors fame.
Sir Peter, who has been a patron of the Foundation for the past four years, met with Mr Twentyman, Foundation staff and a group of young people currently taking part in the Foundation’s leadership program.
Mr Twentyman said the governor general is a “down to earth man” who understands the importance of helping kids.
“It was a wonderful experience for the kids to spend time with Sir Peter and Lady Cosgrove, with the message being that you can achieve anything in this country if you work hard,” he said.
“It’s an important message, as when you come from a tough upbringing you can sometimes find it hard to see the positives a life in Australia can offer, which is why we help put kids through school, connect through sport, provide support for their families and a pathway to employment, all aimed to keep them on the road to a positive future”.
