About Us

Meet our Head Chef, Saul

Saul inherited his love of food growing up with his family, who were well involved in the South-west Victorian foodie scene. His professional career began with apprenticeships in Brisbane’s Italian influenced Romeo’s restaurant, Greek DaGapos and The Breakfast Creek Wharf, where he met and worked with his future wife.

Together they returned to his hometown in Victoria in 2002, where Saul worked within the fine dining scene for some years and opened his own Restaurant Proudfoots on the River in Warrnambool. Using fresh local produce to create well-cooked dishes that everyone can enjoy, Proudfoots quickly became a popular destination for foodies within the south-west.

Late 2015 saw Saul return to the Sunshine State to join family in Hervey Bay. With seafood being a particular favourite for him to work with, the produce locally sourced in Hervey Bay and surrounds has drawn fresh inspiration and passion to his menus.

Saul has enjoyed creating a fresh new style in the Fraser Coast for the last 6 years and was the executive chef of The Vinyard up until it's closure in 2020.  At Banksia Seafood and Grill, Saul's style will continue to be constantly evolving to highlight local seasonal ingredients in popular share-style dishes matched to exceptional wines, a complete experience.

A New Chapter at Banksia

We’re excited to announce a new chapter for Banksia Seafood and Grill—we’re now under new management!

We warmly welcome Aidan and Dwayn Lythgo and Bill and Nelly Renaud to the Banksia family. While our leadership has evolved, our commitment to delivering exceptional dining experiences remains stronger than ever.

At the heart of our kitchen, Head Chef Saul Collins continues to craft innovative dishes, combining his passion for quality and creativity to delight your taste buds. As new owner Dwayn Lythgo puts it: “Our goal is to keep delivering the memorable dining experiences our guests have come to love.”

Banksia remains a proud, family-owned establishment—now with a fresh touch of Queensland expertise and passion from Aidan and Dwayn. We’re looking forward to bringing you new ideas, exciting events, and more culinary innovations in the months to come.

Join us at Banksia, where tradition meets a renewed vision, and every meal is an experience worth savoring.