McLean’s act of kindness keeps Airlie Beach restaurant open

Dunlop Super2 Series driver Matt McLean has helped an Airlie Beach businessman in need, stepping in to cover staff shortages at a popular seafood restaurant.

Fish D’vine owner Kevin Collins was set to shut the doors to his venue last week, due to staffing issues brought on by the current COVID pandemic.

McLean, who while holidaying in Northern Queensland with friends, offered to help the entrepreneur who required one floor-staff member, two bar staff and three chefs for an evening.

Graciously, and to Collins’ surprise, the 2021 Mike Kable Young Gun Award winner and three friends completed a five-hour shift to serve 180 dinner guests on Thursday night.

“Kevin [Collins] was saying how disappointing was for him to have to close, it was really sad, McLean said.

“I thought about how much it would affect his business, but also the local community, because it's very hard to get a booking anywhere, just due to staff shortages.

“I thought, I don’t mind working for a night to help out, so I asked my friends, and they felt the same.

“I put myself in his shoes if it was my business, and I know I would appreciate it, so I didn’t mind dedicating half a night to help, I think many people would do the same.”

McLean and his friends enjoy a post-work meal at Fish D’vine

Joined by Rach Cla (an ICU nurse), Mikel Cameron (a commercial builder from Melbourne), and a friend who works as a chef on Hayman Island, McLean waited tables and served drinks at the Airlie Beach restaurant.

Completing his first-ever shift in hospitality, the Eggleston Motorsport driver and his friends refused payment for the work and gave all tips back to the bar staff.

“It was really cool to meet so many different interesting people,” McLean continued.

“It was funny as we would be halfway through an order and people would be trying to guess who was the builder and who was the driver.

“You have people from all over the world there, so it was cool to meet different people throughout the night while taking orders and waiting tables.

“We received the highest number of tips that the restaurant had ever had in one night, which was really cool, but we didn’t want payment.

McLean was awarded the Mike Kable Young Gun Award in 2021

 “Kev put on a dinner for us afterward, which was really nice.

“On the following nights that we went out, people that we served wanted to have drinks and dinner with us.

“To be recognised by the wider community was quite heart-warming, but we just wanted to help out.

“It's good to get that positive reaction back from the community, in such trying times.”

Collins, who shared the experience to his social accounts, was blown away by the group’s generosity.

“What a funny old world we are living in,” Collins said.

“Tonight, down to one floor staff, two behind the bar and three chefs we just served 180 guests with our four ring-in’s.

“They worked for free, just to help us open. Restored my faith in the goodness of young people.

“We at least got to shout them a lovely dinner to say thanks to one of the more unique staffing events I have ever experienced.

“Thank you, guys. Epic. Legends, and we all loved working with you.

“When I told a few of the team last night about your offer last night they thought I was nuts, now they realise service is about attitude just as much as skills.”

The six-event 2022 Dunlop Super2 Series will commence in Newcastle in March. Tickets for the event are on sale now.

The six-round draft calendar was released during the Repco Bathurst 1000 weekend.