Champion’s comeback

By Melissa Grant
CHAMPION youth and homeless worker Les Twentyman made a courageous comeback to the public speaking circuit alongside Open Family founder Father Bob Maguire at the Cardinia Cultural Centre.
Mr Twentyman addressed a 95-strong crowd at the venue on Thursday afternoon – just four months after doctors said he was unlikely to survive severe complications from hernias found during lap-band surgery.
He battled to stand on his feet at times during the fund-raiser hosted by the Cardinia Foundation, but didn’t struggle to inspire those at the lunch.
Cardinia Foundation chairman Brian Paynter, like many in the crowd, found it humbling to simply be in the same room as Mr Twentyman.
“What Les sees on a daily basis, we only probably see in the movies and in the news,” he said.
“Les is a legend in the west, he’s a champion.”
Cardinia Foundation chief executive Di Padgett recalled how excited she was to secure Mr Twentyman for the fund-raiser lunch – and how she almost crashed her car when she heard that he was in a coma.
Mr Twentyman remained in an induced coma for 21 days and doctors wrote in his medical file that he was unlikely to survive.
But he kept his promise to Ms Padgett and appeared at the Cultural Centre on Thursday where he was supported by Father Bob Maguire, sometimes referred to as the fiery priest of the downtrodden.
Half the proceeds from the event will benefit emergency relief provider 4Cs, while the remainder will go towards other community projects within the shire.
The Cardinia Foundation has already distributed $182,000 for community projects in Cardinia.
Ms Padgett said philanthropy was a funny thing.
“Some people think it’s a thing for the wealthy, but middle Australia actually gives more money than the very wealthy,” she said.
Ms Padgett thanked those in the crowd for turning out to see Mr Twentyman and Mr Maguire, saying their support would benefit others in the community.
“You get to see the difference,” she said.
“We get to benefit from giving in this community, and these people become better and happier people – and that makes a better community.”