Peter Van Zijl, a smile on his face and a menu in his hand, has been one of the enduring features of Noosa Springs for the past two decades, welcoming diners to the resort’s Relish restaurant with Continental charm and laidback style.
Van Zijl, a Dutchman who has called Australia home for 40 years, joined Noosa Springs Golf and Spa Resort soon after it opened. He’s just celebrated 20 years in the job – an extraordinary milestone for the hospitality industry, and one which Van Zijl can scarcely credit.
“The time’s passed so quickly,” he said. “Perhaps that’s why I’ve stayed so long.”
Van Zijl’s job title has never changed – he’s the assistant front of house manager – but his responsibilities have evolved and extended over time.
He’s still the man in the white shirt who takes your order in Relish restaurant and brings you a drink on the terrace. But he’s also the one who organises your wedding, sees your conference is running smoothly, and ensures everyone is complying with Covid regulations.
And on one memorable occasion he even acted as a sound consultant when iconic Aussie rock band The Angels was preparing for a concert in Noosa Springs’ Plantation Room.
“The band was performing later that night and they were belting out a rendition of their hit Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again?,” he said. “They asked me to stand at the back and let them know how it sounded.”
A butcher by trade, Van Zijl worked in hotels in Brisbane, including the Beaufort Heritage – now the Stamford Plaza – before moving to Noosa, where he landed a job at famous Coco’s restaurant on the doorstep of Noosa National Park.
When he joined Noosa Springs, the resort was little more than a building site, and staff worked out of demountable buildings.
In the 20 years that followed Van Zijl has seen, and been a part of, Noosa Springs’ transformation into one of Australia’s most successful golf resorts.
He’s met, and served, tens of thousands of people including celebrities such as Prince Harry, Clive James and Alice Cooper.
But it’s the people he works with who Van Zijl recalls with most affection.
“It’s been like a family working here at Noosa Springs,” he said. “You get to know your colleagues, meet their family and share their experiences. It’s been a privilege for me. You have some good days, and many great days.”
He also gets great satisfaction from past guests recognising him and acknowledging his level of service.
“People come back and see me and say, ‘Uou’re still here. You must like it.’ And, of course, they’re right.”
He and his family live at Sunshine Beach, just eight minutes from Noosa Springs, and Van Zijl has cut back his work to four days a week. It gives him time to enjoy his hobbies – gardening and walking his pet greyhound.
But the face of Noosa Springs has no plans to retire. Not for another 20 years or so, anyway.
