White Pages Covers Program

Courageous Australian Les Twentyman to feature on Melbourne Business/Goverment White Pages

May 20, 2010

Image: 

Each year, locals are featured on the covers of the Yellow Pages® and White Pages® directories in recognition of the contributions they make to their communities. Under the theme Courageous Australians, this year directories producer, Sensis, is recognising courageous people who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to overcome adversity and help others in their time of need. 

After receiving nominations from community members for the annual honour, Seddon West resident, Les Twentyman has been selected to appear on the cover of this year’s Melbourne Business/Government directory which is distributed to the Melbourne metropolitan area.

In his 25 - 30 years as a youth worker, Les Twentyman OAM has overcome significant adversity to assist more than 11,000 of Melbourne’s disadvantaged children. During his work, Les has courageously dodged a petrol bomb, been stabbed twice and survived a shotgun being held to his head.

Les is determined to help those less fortunate than himself. Through the charity organisation he has founded, the 20^th Man Fund, he has raised hundred and thousands of dollars to build the charity’s first accommodation units in Sunshine. Since opening in 1994, Les’ charity has provided accommodation to 200 homeless children each year. 

Les continues to conduct regular fundraisers for the 20^th Man Fund and receives valuable donations from local communities and organisations. The money raised has assisted in the setting up of initiatives such as scholarships for underprivileged kids with sporting talents; establishing a gym scholarship program in Sunshine to promote health and wellbeing; and assisting 300 young adults complete university. 

“I get so much satisfaction in seeing the difference a community can make when they gather to help those less privileged. I have never thought of what I do as courageous, so to be recognised for it on the cover of the White Pages® is very touching,” said Les. 

For his efforts, Les has received a number of accolades including the Order of Australia medal, Advance Australia Award, Great Australian Achiever Award, the Committee for Melbourne Award for outstanding service to disadvantaged children, the Centenary Medal for outstanding services to the community, Victorian of the Year in 2006, and was a Victorian finalist for Australian of the Year. 

Les’ next challenge is to help establish a second crisis accommodation unit in the outer western suburbs.

Distribution of Melbourne Business/Government White Pages® is planned to start on 22 May 2010 and it will take approximately six weeks for the directories to be delivered to all households. 

Sensis encourages residents and businesses to recycle their old directories. In most areas, Yellow Pages® and White Pages® can be recycled as part of normal kerbside recycling services. Visit www.recyclingnearyou.com.au to find out about recycling services in your area. 

Did you know? The past three local people who appeared on the Melbourne Business/Government White Pages® cover were: 

2009/10: Jonathon Welch, singer and community choir director, appeared on the White Pages^® Business/Government directory cover under the theme ‘Creative Australians: Inspiring our Communities’. Jonathon has performed with the Victoria State Opera and Opera Australia and most recently, has established community choirs including the Sydney Street Choir and Melbourne’s own Choir of Hope and Inspiration (formerly Choir of Hard Knocks). 

2008/09: Featuring under the cover theme ‘Celebrating Australian Flavour’, Con Christopoulos, one of Melbourne’s most renowned restaurateurs, graced the White Pages^® Business/Government cover due to his influence on the city’s café laneway culture.  

2007/08: Kate Kennedy and Tony Macvean, from the not for profit organisation goodcompany, appeared on the White Pages^® Business/Government cover, ‘Champions of our Community’, for helping to pair young professionals to volunteer for relevant charities.