Artisans of Secrets
STAY | DINE | EXPLORE | SAY “I DO”
DISCOVER THE LOCAL ARTISTRY THAT BRINGS SECRETS ON THE LAKE TO LIFE.
Art and craftsmanship are at the heart of Secrets on the Lake. Throughout the property, you’ll discover the work of talented local artisans whose creations have helped shape the character and story of Secrets for over 30 years. From handcarved timber, stained glass, ceramics, and ironwork to the artworks displayed in the Secrets Art Gallery, each piece reflects the beauty, creativity, and spirit of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. We invite you to explore the gallery and experience how art, nature, and imagination come together to create something truly unique.
JACK WILMS
Master Woodcarver
George first met Jack Wilms at the Maleny Wood Expo in May 1995.
Impressed by his natural talent, George asked him to carve a mirror for the treehouses. That first piece soon grew into coffee tables and eventually the front door for the reception area. Though Jack had never made a door before, he rose to the challenge: George and Rob built the frame, and Jack’s carving turned it into the welcoming entrance guests see today.
The Wood of Secrets
Much of Jack’s work was carved from local red cedar, a richly grained timber prized in Queensland. Often salvaged from fallen trees or old stumps, the wood was given a second life through Jack’s hands. Its fine texture and warm tone allowed him to create intricate rainforest motifs — lizards, leaves, and frogs — tying each piece to the forest around Lake Baroon.
Jack’s artistry is found throughout Secrets:
- Reception: the carved front door, plus a hand-carved table and mirror.
- Boardwalks: carved handrails decorated with rainforest details.
- Cabins: unique doors, mirrors, tables, and bedframes.
- Gallery: artworks exhibited and sold through the Secrets Art Gallery until COVID.
Legacy – A serious, steady craftsman and long-time friend, Jack transformed local timber into works of beauty and meaning. His carvings ensure that guests don’t just stay in a cabin — they experience the rainforest itself through the wood of Secrets.
ROB JOHNSTON
Master Woodcarver, Landscaper
Our son Rob had been studying Engineering at University of Queensland for a year when he revealed that he really didn’t like it. Over time as he began helping us build our dreams, we realised he should have done landscape design or woodworking. He decided to come home. He helped us build walkways, the woodshed, the individual luxury treehouses and general landscaping and he learnt along the way.
George’s Grandfather was a stonemason in Scotland and we believe Rob’s ability to effortlessly lay rock walls, gardens and road edges was inherited from him. This led onto him having a major roll in creating the feature garden and rock stairs near the reception entrance and later The Secrets Garden. As we moved forward he took himself to TAFE to learn carving the old fashioned way. We realised he seriously wanted to learn, so we arranged a quick 6 week course with Jack Wilms a master carver. Here he learned to use an arbitec and as a result created the majority of the carving in our reception. The barge board above the billiard table being the first. I can recall George saying ”How much longer is this going to take?” My response was “You need to understand that he is an apprentice and he is being careful not to cut too deep, So he is working up to it!”
There is always a story attached to his work. It was Rob who designed the carved feature garden between the Gallery and the Restaurant He was the carver who began carving the tree stump, which Jack took over, as Rob and Sarah were booked to travel and had to leave before it was finished.
15 years ago Rob designed the original swing seat. He measured numerous back shapes and somehow managed to make the perfect shape not requiring a cushion at all. He originally used a wooden frame and this prototype is under an iron roof in the gardens, where guests can enjoy a view directly to the lake He then called Ralf and asked him to design a metal frame and the latter version was made for an extended deck beside every treehouse. Each piece of wood was different and important to make the original design.
He made The Wishing Chair long before we built the Restaurant Deck, and during Covid Rob did the major Construction of The Hideaway. Several years ago he moved with his wife Sarah, to live in Victoria, and on a prolonged visit he created the very new carved cedar reception desk which is magnificent, fitting beautifully within our reception.
One of Rob’s major achievements was the walkway leading from our house to a bridge across the main entrance and on to the reception. With advice from Rod King he was able to build the support for the bridge with poles from Mary Valley Timbers. The Bridge itself was made off site and lowered into place using a crane. This has the effect of enticing visitors to turn and drive up to our reception!
ROGER CHADWICK
Master Woodcarver
In 1995, Roger Chadwick approached George and Aldy with a keen interest in contributing to the creation of Secrets on the Lake. Word had spread that something truly unique was being built in the rainforest, and many talented artisans wanted to be part of it. Roger, a gifted craftsman, offered to design and build specially themed front doors — pieces that would be both beautiful and built to last.
The results were extraordinary. Roger poured his heart into each design, creating stunning entrances that perfectly reflected the theme and name of every cabin. His craftsmanship extended beyond the treehouses too, designing doors with green glass leaf motifs for reception, and artistic creations for Moondance and the Studio Apartments.
Roger also crafted wooden tiles for the Waterlilies and Secrets kitchen splashbacks, a carved feature for Dragonfly, and painted glass doors for Bluemoon and Moondance.
Roger’s artistry brought a sense of identity to Secrets — each door a story, each carving a welcome. His work remains a lasting testament to the creativity and craftsmanship that helped shape the spirit of the retreat.
RALF DRIESSEN
Master Sculptor
The connection to Ralf Driessen came through George and Aldy’s neighbour, Steve Weiss, who owned the land before them. Steve had won a Churchill Scholarship that took him around the world to study artists. While in Germany he met Ralf, admired his work, and later invited him to Australia. Ralf settled in nearby Witta, running a roadside business with Steve, before focusing his practice on completely artistic work. His first piece for Secrets was the balustrading in the Two Frogs cabin.
Aldy remembers Ralf taking measurements, but not writing them down. She was amazed to see the finished product fitted perfectly. Over the years, Ralf’s artistry grew into some of Secrets’ most memorable ironwork. He continued to take on commissions, even after moving to Melbourne, and always pushed his designs beyond what came before. Aldy recalls his Platypus bedhead as his finest piece.
When asked how he felt about others copying his work, Ralf simply said he wasn’t concerned — because his next project would always surpass the last.
MARION UITHOL
Stained Glass
When George and Aldy first met Marion Uithol in 1996, she was already exhibiting in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane at a high level. They commissioned her very first work for Secrets — the “Two Frogs” window, which inspired the now-familiar logo of two frogs dancing on a lily pad. Unlike many stained glass artists who worked from patterns or books, Marion sketched her own designs and even coloured all of her own glass. Aldy would choose from her sketches, and together they created works of striking originality and warmth.
Over the years, Marion’s stained glass became part of the evolving story of Secrets: the first cabins in 1996, the penthouses in 2005, and The Nest in 2008. Each piece carries her unmistakable creativity, catching the light in ways that bring the forest indoors. Though she eventually had to give up her passion due to health impacts from lead, the pieces she created for Secrets remain her enduring legacy. Today, her stained glass windows — found only in the treehouses — stand as treasured works of art, unique to this place.
LINDSEY MUIR
SCULPTURAL CERAMIC ARTIST
George and Aldy were immediately drawn to Lindsay Muir’s work — his detailed ceramic creations perfectly captured the rainforest theme at the heart of Secrets on the Lake. When the Art Gallery opened in 2012, Lindsay was one of the first artists to exhibit there, and it wasn’t long before his pieces became an essential part of Secrets itself.
Each treehouse features one of Lindsay’s artworks, carefully chosen or designed to complement its individual theme. His sculptures bring the forest indoors — frogs, leaves, and rainforest creatures crafted with incredible detail and character. Lindsay’s art reflects the same harmony with nature that defines Secrets: imaginative, vibrant, and deeply connected to the landscape that surrounds it. Lindsay now resides in Stanthorpe so we miss his presence in our gallery.
BOB ARTMAN
SPA WOOD WORK
Bob Artman brought a meticulous eye and a deep care for detail to Secrets on the Lake. He was the designer behind the woodwork around the spa baths, carefully cutting and shaping the timber so the spas could be set perfectly in place. His precision made him invaluable — everything had to fit seamlessly, both practical and beautiful. Bob also crafted the small cupboards for the stereos in the cabins, ensuring even the functional elements were made with the same attention to quality. Often, Bob would create the shape of a piece, and then Jack Wilms would add his carving flair, turning Bob’s careful foundations into works of art.
It was this partnership of precision and creativity that made Bob’s contributions so important. His work may be quieter than the showpiece carvings, but it remains essential to the comfort and charm of the cabins — crafted with patience, skill, and care.
CATHY LAWLEY
Ceramic Artists
Back when George and Aldy were creating the treehouses, they discovered Cathy Lawley’s pottery at the Peace of Green gallery in Maleny. At the time, Cathy was known for her whimsical pottery watering cans adorned with frogs. Aldy was searching for lighting to place along the boardwalks — she had originally planned to buy Franklin lanterns, but when they sold out, Cathy’s work offered the perfect solution. Cathy was commissioned to create the now-iconic mushroom lamps, which softly light the paths at Secrets each evening. Her work gave the boardwalks a magical, fairytale quality that guests still enjoy today. Many of these mushroom lamps are still in place, and some are even available for sale.
In addition, George and Aldy asked Cathy to design the name plaques for each of the 13 cabins, ensuring that her touch is woven into every arrival. Her pottery brought both function and artistry to Secrets — guiding guests by night and welcoming them to their treehouse by name.
Open To The Public - 7 Days A Week
While you’re visiting Secrets on the Lake, take a little time to wander beyond the restaurant and reception and discover our Art Gallery and Gift Shop.
Our gallery showcases a beautiful collection of artworks and unique pieces, with many available to purchase and take home as a special reminder of your time at Secrets. Our Gift Shop is filled with beautiful finds, thoughtful gifts, local treasures and a few special goodies you may not be able to resist. Whether you’re looking for something to remember your stay, a gift for someone special, or simply enjoy browsing beautiful things, we invite you to come in, take your time and have a look around.
Visitors are always welcome. Come and discover a little more of the magic at Secrets on the Lake.
Art Gallery
LOCAL ARTIST ON DISPLAY
Step into the Secrets Art Gallery and discover a vibrant collection of works from talented local artists across the Sunshine Coast. Featuring everything from the quirky illustrations of Veronica van de Vorst and the Indigenous artworks of Sandra Bordonaro to the stunning landscape paintings of Rod McArter and limited-edition prints by Jim Cox, the gallery celebrates the creativity, diversity, and artistic spirit of our region.
Gallery Shop
FINE JEWELLERY AND MORE
Be sure to visit our Gallery Shop, where you’ll find a thoughtfully curated collection of gifts, keepsakes, and locally crafted treasures. Browse everything from bathrobes, tea towels, jewellery, greeting cards, and candles to ecofriendly bath and body products, monogrammed glassware, luxurious bathrobes, and unique souvenirs to remember your visit to Secrets on the Lake.