Nambour man remembered as Dreamworld’s visionary artist

Sam Lucas takes his seat next to the cello that is so valuable the insurance company doesn’t allow it to leave his sight on a flight.  

Vale John Williams, 1944 - 2022

A Nambour man who passed away this month has been remembered as the creative mind behind iconic tourist attraction Dreamworld.

John Williams, 78,  passed away at Caloundra’s Dove Cottage palliative care centre on February 4. It was only four weeks after receiving a diagnosis of brain cancer.

‘Dreamworld’s Golden Years – Past, Present, Future’ Facebook page paid tribute to John in a post on February 13:

“John Williams was a man who had an impact on every Dreamworld guest from the day the park opened. John was the park artist, he designed the park maps, hand-painted park signage, and designed rides and themed areas for the park.

“We were fortunate to have the opportunity to meet with John and hear some of the stories of his time at Dreamworld in those early days. In time we will be able to share some of these stories and insights with you.

“John was very proud of how Dreamworld started and his work at the park. “Dreamworld wasn’t his only line of work though, he later worked with the late Ken Maynard to design the Ettamogah Pub at Darling Harbour, plus he worked on the pub of the same name at Aussie World on the Sunshine Coast. 

“John later returned to design the Banana Bender Pub, where his design work can be enjoyed today. 

“We are thankful for the opportunity to meet a very talented man, and our thoughts are with his family during this time.”

John is survived by his partner Lorraine Taylor, who is well know as Street Art Nambour Chairperson. Sadly Lorraine will be moving to Mackay but remains one of three volunteers on the community board.

“I will keep working on Street Art Nambour, from Mackay, to continue building our trail of murals,” she said. “I have come up here to be close to family. The rest has been nice, but I do feel devastated,” she said. 

Lorraine said John’s other creative side will be honoured posthumously with the publication of a children’s book.

“John’s son in Switzerland has taken a book John wrote for children, “The Upside Down Tree”, to have it published for his Dad there,” she said.