Sean Edwards, State President

Sean was elected as State President of the Liberal Party of Australia (SA Division) in August 2007. He was reelected unopposed in August 2008 and 2009. Sean also serves concurrently as a member of the Liberal Party of Australia’s Federal Executive representing South Australia.

Liberal Party and Other Community Activities

A part of the 5th generation of Edwards family born in Clare in the rural mid-north of South Australia, Sean relocated to the city following his secondary schooling. He joined the Liberal Party in 1985 and in 1986 founded the Blackwood and Districts Young Liberals as its inaugural President. Sean actively promoted and campaigned for the Liberal Party in Federal and State campaigns in the southern foothills and suburbs of Adelaide during this time. He was also President of the Blackwood Football Club and a director on the Hills Football League for three years until 1991 when he returned to Clare after 11 years in the city.

Sean then transferred to the senior party joining the Clare branch where he remains active today. In this time he has long-served the Party and held a range of positions including President of the Clare branch, President of the Wakefield FEC, Fundraising Frome SEC, State Finance Committee while at the same time serving as Chairman of the Clare Valley Racing Club and membership of numerous other community based organisations and clubs.

As State President, Sean chairs the State Executive, the State Council (the governing body of the Liberal Party), Finance and Campaign Committees.

Business Background

After many years in Real Estate development and agency practice through the 1980’s and 90’s Sean also expanded his family’s long term involvement in the wine industry throughout South Australia from the Clare Valley. He is the founding Executive Chairman of the Clare based private wine company Kirrihill Wines, the Clare Valley’s second largest wine producer. Sean also maintains and continues to be active around Australia in property development through his involvement as a director of the Melbourne based ACDEV building company.

During his time in the wine industry Sean served as a director on the Wine Grape Council of SA (WGCSA), the Wine Grape Growers of Australia (WGGA) and the SAFF (winegrapes) until taking up the President’s role with the SA Division of the Liberal Party.

Personal

Born: Clare, South Australia 2 January 1962

Family: Sean is married to Ashleigh who has returned to full time university study. They have four children – Abbey, George, Harrison & Natasha Interests: Football (Crows & South Clare!), Waterskiing, Tennis, Farming innovation, Photography, Australian politics and history.