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The Courier Mail
August 2
2003
Be careful if you are visiting George and Aldy Johnston. The hill sweeping down to Lake Baroon is steep, and the signage so discreet that you could easily go too far and find yourself in with the fishes.
But Treetops Cabins on the Lake, or Secrets on the Lake as it is now called, isn't the sort of spot that needs to shout to call attention to itself. Over the past 5 1/2 years it has become one of the most popular options in the well-serviced Montville area for luxurious getaways.
The guest treehouses with their expansive views over Lake Baroon perch among rainforest walks and represent the Johnston's life's work - their most recent, and biggest, adventure.
The pair have spent the past 18 years constructing a dream out of what used to be a sad, lantana-blighted block.
"It probably hasn't been as difficult as you'd think looking at it now" says Aldy, 59. "We just never minded how much effort we had to put in - the hard, physical work. I'm not a hot house flower. If you marry a Johnston you can't be".
As well as creating the treehouses, the couple have dropped rocks to reclaim swamp land, scraped up muck, built a beach and sculpted the manicured lawns which flow down to the lake.
But the first and biggest hurdle the Johnstons had to cross was when their original block was resumed in order to create Lake Baroon. When the Sunshine Coast community needed more water, the council dammed the Obi Obi, pouring millions of gallons of water on the duo's grand plans
"It was awful," says Aldy, whose full name is Aldath - she shortened it because she was fed up with people mistaking it for "Elvis" over the telephone.
We planted orchards - a kiwi fruit farm. It was a big blow to us. But you can't let it bring you down. There was no point getting depressed about it."
A neighbour's land was also resumed and he offered the Johnstons first refusal on his remaining 32 hectares. "It was an empty palette and George grabbed it!" Says Aldy.
The Johnstons started out working part-time and over the years the design constantly evolved.
"It has all worked better than we thought", says George, who will have been married to childhood sweetheart Aldy for 35 years this September. "The local artists have made it better than I thought possible. It always gives me a thrill to pass some really great work".
Artworks and quirky touches abound. The cabins are connected to the reception by raised wooden walkways which feature hand-carvings of native animals on the rails. The doorways to the cabins are also meticulously carved by local artist Roger Chadwick.
The lavish showers feature tile artworks by Rebecca Wilkie. Stained-glass windows, hand-blown lampshades and wild pieces of tree sculptured are dotted about.
Aldy says the Johnstons simply don't do boring. The house in which they and their three children - Catherine, 32, Rob, 30, and Lisa, 25 - lived while the accommodation business was developed was also a little different: it was created from a converted silage silo.
"It was a quite amazing place" says Aldy. "It teased George. He just had to use it. It was nicely done. It looked like an 'L' shape standing up."
The Johnstons simply cut a slice up the side of the silo and added windows and doors.
The next project was an acreage home based on a beehive design, constructed from hexagonal shapes. "We've never built ordinary things," says Aldy.
George's latest scheme involves creating a mini mountain railway used to cart building materials up the rock face to the latest set of treehouses.
"He discussed it with the local engineering works and a friend who is engineer helped him," explains Aldy. We'll continue to use it for all sorts of things. It will be kept maintained and used."
Aldy says all the money the business makes gets ploughed back into improvements.
"I keep saying to George 'Do you have to keep doing all these extra things?' And he does. He likes to create things that are beautiful. I think if I get any rewards it will be in heaven."
The other night, George, who is a stickler for details had Aldy out in one of the new Cabins pointing a torch up the cliff face to check that the guests would be able to see a waterfall while sitting on the toilet. They had to change the wall line to achieve the desired result, but nothing is too much trouble for George.
What first attracted the pair into hospitality? "It didn't attract me at all" says Aldy. "George was excited about it. I hoped it would just go away."
When Aldy realised it was more than just a whim she embarked on a series of courses, covering book-keeping and marketing. As a teacher in nearby Maleny she was already IT-literate.
She says the main challenge these days is finding enough energy to complete the projects already in progress. "I'm 59 and George is 60, we are not getting any younger. But I can't complain."
One of the reasons Aldy's lips are sealed is that the three new cabins are her idea. The plan is to increase turnover and make it easier for the couple to take a break occasionally. Daughter Lisa's recent production of their first grandchild has increased Aldy's desire to take time away.
"Guests always say, 'you are so lucky living here! What a lifestyle!' I say, 'Yes, I am lucky living here, but the lifestyle needs work!'"
George is never happier than when he's at home.
"He works every hour of daylight, and is constantly busy," explains Aldy. "He loves it."
George admits he gets a lot of pleasure from the guests' reaction to his craft. "If no one ever said anything I'd feel a bit down, he admits, "but they're usually enthusiastic."
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