OUR TEAM
Our Team
Colin Edwards
Managing Director
Colin opened Sweethearts in March of 1986.
As this was pre-The Fitzgerald Inquiry into Government and Police Corruption, this was a very bold move! Colin has defended Sweethearts through the courts more than 23 times and has won all but one of those cases. He believes governments have no place in the bedrooms of Australians and has spent much of his life fighting for those beliefs.
He joined the navy in 1978 at 15, and 4 years later lost his position to serve his country by being forced to leave due to his homosexuality. This was the beginning of his activism and advocacy for human rights, equality and anti-violence, community and media work.
Colin is the recipient of the GLBTI community's highest community service award presented to him at the 40th Annual GLBTI Queens Birthday Awards in Brisbane. Colin - along with Robert Langdon, Kiren O'Brien and the Rev Illtyd Loveluck set up Australia's first AIDS Council office in Townsville in 1985 with the support and patronage of the then SEN Margaret Reynolds.
Colin played a major role in the lifting of the ban on homosexuals serving in the armed forces as well as leading the regional and rural fight for decriminalisation of homosexuality in the Sunshine State. He was a founder of the GLBTI Anti-Violence Committee of Qld, which was established after the bombing of the Qld Aids Council offices in Townsville and the previous assaults, torture and attempted murder of staff, volunteers and clients of the service. This culminated in the setting up of the Qld Police's Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officer Program, with officers now in most police stations throughout the state.
Colin was a Director of Queensland Pride Newspapers (Qld statewide GLBTI newspaper) for 5 years and was a regional writer and contributor for 10 years. He also hosted and broadcasted Nth Qld's GLBTI regional radio program on Saturday nights on 4TTTFM for 4 years.
His role in Australia's Adult Industry has not been small. In 1986 he helped establish the country's first national industry association AVIA (Australian Video Industry Association) in Canberra. When the organisation morphed into the present EROS Association representing the wider national industries of retail, services, importers and distributors; Colin held both Committee and Vice-President positions for 7 years.
In 1992 he ran for State Parliament for the state seat of Townsville as an Independent gaining 16% of the primary vote. In 1996 he ran for Federal Parliament for the Federal Seat of Herbert for the Australian Democrats tripling their base vote.
Colin regularly conducts talks, education presentations and training programs re sex and sexuality, sexual health and wellbeing, anti-violence, anti-discrimination and community awareness initiatives.
Most of all Colin loves working the shop with his customers. He trains all staff personally and has a vision of the day when sex is not seen as a dirty word but something to celebrate and enjoy without guilt.
Simon
Sales & Service
Simon has worked at Sweethearts for the past 18 years and is our longest serving staff member. He is a proud dad of two and one of the store's most likeable characters.
Simons works mostly evening shifts and is our Stores Maintenance Manager. He is the one responsible for Sweethearts always looking amazing and well maintained.
Simon has a huge loyal following and regular client base. He takes great pride in what he does, and his many years of experience and expertise makes him one of Sweethearts greatest assets. He is easy to talk to, likes to have a laugh and is the first one to help someone out. His very nature makes him perfect for the role he has dedicated most of his life to.
There is not much about Sweethearts Simon doesn't know!
