A Life of Service: Kev Collins Recognised for Four Decades in Tourism

A standing ovation greeted local tourism stalwart Kev Collins on Saturday night as he took to the stage to accept the Bob Porter Award for Outstanding Service at the 2025 Whitsunday Tourism Awards.
With over four decades of dedication to the region’s tourism industry, Collins—owner of D’Vine Catering & Events—was recognised for his enduring service, unwavering passion, and significant contribution to shaping the Whitsundays into one of Australia’s most iconic destinations.
“It has taken me over 40 years to get here, so I hope you can indulge me for a few minutes,” said Kev on the night.
“In the glory days of the island resorts, I worked on South Molle and Hook Island for Ansett—ultimately as General Manager. Those really were the days: busy, glamorous, chaotic, and full of character.”
“My son Phil, who’s now 38, was actually born on the island. Truth be told, he was conceived on Planton Island, just behind the treeline during a cheeky little tryst in the spring of 1985. God, we had some fun, and we have some stories.”
Kev left the islands and moved to Airlie in 1997 to start his mainland chapter as a well-respected local employer and leader within the industry.
“This industry has given me a life, not just a living. I owe so much to the people I’ve worked for, those I’ve worked alongside, the guests I’ve had the privilege to serve—and this community that’s supported me through the good times, the tough times, and yes, even through the cyclones and the fire.”
“I’ve watched Airlie Beach grow from a sleepy whistle-stop into a powerhouse destination. And while us ‘old buggers’ might reminisce about the good old days—no traffic lights, shutting down for two months in the wet, no parking tickets, and Muddy Bay where the Port of Airlie now sits—the truth is, we’re better now.”
“We’re wiser now. We are greener now, and more determined than ever to protect what makes this place so special.”
Kev reminisced about the times of midnight barges and backhoes taking sand from Whitehaven to resort beaches, food scraps and garbage tossed at sea, unregulated runoff.
“Guests were even taken reef-walking at low tide—and yes, even shell and coral collecting,” he joked.
“We’re better than that now. We treat this place with the reverence it deserves.”
“I arrived here a young man, and this industry has kept me young—full of new ideas, fresh opportunities, and the privilege of showcasing our special place to the world. And every time I think I’m done, I get another flash of inspiration and retirement goes out the window again!”
“We are no longer a stepping stone to somewhere else—we are the Whitsundays, and Airlie Beach stands in nobody’s shadow.”
“Tonight, I feel humbled, a little overwhelmed, and eternally grateful that I’ve been able to make this place my home.”
“I accept this not just for myself, but for all of us who’ve given our hearts, our time, and sometimes even our sanity to serving customers and delivering on the vision the great builders had when the Whitsunday tourism industry kicked off. I accept this for the chefs and the dishies, the barmen, the waitstaff and housekeepers, the bus drivers, the skippers, the boat crew and the retail staff.”
“There are three moments of my life I feel most proud of: the birth of my children, when Kate said ‘I do’… and this.”

Photo credit: R Jean Photography

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