Free shipping in AUS on orders over $200

Our People

THE LAKE LEATHER TEAM TODAY

The Owner

Georgie Wilkinson

Georgie joined the Lake Leather team in 2008 shortly after moving to Tasmania to be near her family. An English girl of Tasmanian heritage, Georgie is a qualified saddler, having studied for two years with the esteemed Society of Master Saddlers in London.  Starting with just two days a week as shop girl, Georgie has moved up the ranks, managing the shops for a number of years before finally buying the business in 2018. Georgie brings a quality education in leather craft and some great knowledge of how to care for and create leather goods to the team.  As the new owner, Georgie is enjoying  growing and developing the business. Starting with the exciting launch of lakeleather.com.au in 2019, the development of our own sheepskin slipper making business and the ongoing development of our leather bag brand.  The business is thriving under her stewardship.  The future looks bright for Lake Leather.

Evandale

Kate - Evandale Store Manager

Kate lives on a farm with her partner and two small(ish) children.  Kate is a spitfire when it comes to getting on with the behind the scenes work and has a strong interest in the stock management side of things.  Her indomitable spirit and let's-get-it-done attitude to daunting tasks is a boon for the LL team, while her fun and sunny disposition make her a favourite with customers in-store at the Evandale shop. 

Louise - Evandale 

Louise is a valued member of the Evandale staff who has brought a passion for retail and customer service to the team. Lou is a bit of a workaholic.  If not at Lake Leather, you might find Lou bringing her bright personality at a local purveyor of scented candles or at a country retail store in another favourite village destination for shopping- Deloraine.  Louise has brought a keen interest in visual merchandising and superb customer service to the team, and is quickly becoming a customer favourite.

Campbell Town

Sharon - Campbell Town

Sharon brings a ray of light and laughter to the Campbell Town team. Hailing from Campbell Town, Sharon is good for some local insider knowledge for visitors, and knows all the best places to score a great coffee and how best to while away some time in historic Campbell Town.  She is always willing to go above-and-beyond the call of duty for customers and her colleagues, making her a popular staff member with locals, visitors and the rest of the team. 

Issy - Campbell Town 

Issy is our resident Viking. Having settled in Campbell Town from Belgium, Issy has a small holding in town with a few goats and the most beautiful flowers.  She make's natural products from her goats, from tanning goatskins to handmade organic goats’ milk soap. Issy has a flower stall outside the CT shop where you can buy the prettiest bouquet you've ever seen in real life! She is a gentle soul who cherishes all things natural, while her fastidious nature and incredible work ethic makes her a highly valued member of the Campbell Town team.

Hobart

Emma  - Hobart Store Manager

Emma, our Eastern Shore local, isn't just a whiz with retail (30 years of experience, no less!), she's also a champion for our community and small businesses. When Emma isn't dazzling customers with her exceptional visual merchandising skills and stellar customer service in our Hobart store, you might find her out and about with her two adopted Greyhounds. They're a stylish bunch, just like their owner!

Diana - Hobart

Fresh off a long hiatus from Hobart town, Diana brings a wealth of retail experience and a calming presence to our team. Her impeccable sense of style shines through in everything she does, from assisting customers in our Hobart store to simply navigating the city. It's clear that Diana is loving her return to Hobart, and we're thrilled to have her on board!

Jenni - Hobart

If you see someone in the store who seems to have a knack for making everything look polished, that's probably Jenni! This home renovation extraordinaire is a natural at creating a beautiful and welcoming environment. When she's not wielding a paintbrush at home, you'll find her sharing her vast retail experience and love for local businesses with us and our customers. Bonus points: she shares her life with a furry friend (a Rough Coat Collie) and a feline companion (a Ragdoll cat) - talk about a menagerie!

Strahan

Meredith - Strahan

Meredith joined the Strahan team shortly after opening in 2022.  She is quick witted and intelligent, and rightfully prides herself on her deep product knowledge.  In her past she has been a keen debater and the lead singer of a band, giving her a bold voice that is not to underestimated.  Meredith and her husband moved to Strahan from Sydney in 2019, living to up to the old saying that you only come to Tassie twice- once for a holiday and again when you move here.  Meredith has settled into the west coast well, enjoying the vibrant village life and the wild ruggedness of Strahan and the surrounds.

The Workshop

Shiralee - Artisan

Shirl joined the team soon after the opening of our slipper making workshop, just as covid was turning the world on it's head.  She had never worked in leather craft before, but has an incredible work ethic that would be hard to beat.  She is a keen learner and is great at getting on with any job you can think to give her.  She has become a great and highly valued addition to the workshop team.  Whether it be cutting out, developing designs or ensuring customer orders are made in a timely fashion.  She has shown great aptitude while learning to sew on our industrial machines and is a delight to have in the workshop.

Ian Lake- The Founder

Hailing from New South Wales, as a young man Ian would spend his days travelling up and down the east coast of Australia. He would set up a table in the shade on the edge of the beach and make belts and dog collars in between surfing. He would frequent the coastal country markets at the weekends, selling his handmade leather goods to discerning market goers.  He says markets are a great place for crafts people to start. “It teaches you how to sell and it teaches you what people are looking for and what they want, straight across the table; ‘No, this is too dear’ or ‘Oh, this is good value’ or whatever”. We have tried to stay true to these roots, working hard to maintain an authenticity – searching for good quality, style and value for our customers.

The business changed hands in 2018, being sold to long-term employee Georgie Wilkinson.  She has worked at Lake Leather since she emigrated to Tasmania in 2007. She has a background in saddlery and harness making, bringing a world-class education in leather craft and care from the Society of Master saddlers to her role in the shop.