Silverstar’s Director retires
Shane Collinson says goodbye after 20 years
Shane Collinson is bidding farewell to Silverstar Casino and is ready to enjoy his retirement.
He has been the Director of Operations and Complex General Manager at Silverstar Casino and will be retiring after 28 years of unbroken service in the South African gambling and hospitality sector – two decades of which has been with Tsogo Sun.
In the 1980s, Shane was working as a Telkom technician, but he said that he was always drawn to the glitz and glamour of the Wild Coast Sun. He decided to take a gamble and applied for a job at his favourite entertainment destination and as luck would have it, his technical training ensured he was immediately hired as a Leaf Technician for the slot machines.
After almost three decades, Shane has reached the top of his game and is bidding Silverstar a bitter-sweet farewell. “I still believe that Silverstar is one of the most beautiful casino properties I have had the privilege of leading,” he said.
Shane was charged with the full redevelopment and turn-around strategy of the casino six years ago, and has taken Silverstar and his team of employees from strength to strength. He will be leaving the gaming and entertainment complex in excellent shape for untold successes in the future.
Although Shane may be leaving, his passion for the casino remains as strong as ever and he said, “Silverstar has one of the most amazing cultures, particularly when it comes to its staff members. The guests that come through the doors are truly unique in that they are perhaps the most respectful and down-to-earth people I have ever had the privilege of working with. What is more, the geographic location of the complex, nestled in the valley of a mountain, makes Silverstar a truly beautiful destination.”
Shane’s star has shone as bright as the entertainment complex he has managed throughout his career and he was well known for giving back to the community and the people he led, making him a champion of corporate social responsibility. “It may be difficult to face the harsh realities of life head-on, but it is through the upliftment of people that we can make a difference, no matter how small. At the end of the day, it is much better to give than to take in life,” he said.
He said that his most memorable moment was when 400 000 stars fell from the ceiling during Silverstar’s grand opening, after months of hard work refurbishing it.
The employees whose lives he has touched throughout his tenure will no doubt remember the incredible gift Shane has for leading from the front with humility, passion, dignity and true inspiration.
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