2025 Applause Awards Winners and Finalists

Councillor Debbie Hanlon Award for Senior of the Year

 Winner: 

• Gerry Beresford: Gerry is the founding Chair of Ronald McDonald House NL and sits on the Finance Committee of RMHC Canada. He is a member of the Board of Anglican Homes; the Treasurer of St. Mary's Church; and a member of the Finance Committee of the Anglican Diocese of Eastern NL. Gerry is on the Volunteer Services Committee for the 2025 Canada Summer Games. He lives in St. John's with his wife, Ann.

Finalists: 

• Gordon O’Brien: Gord is known for his family owned business O’Brien’s Music established in 1939, promoting Newfoundland and Labrador musicians. He volunteered as a coach, convenor and served on the Minor Soccer Board of Directors. Gord has been a Knights of Columbus member since 1971, serving on the executive. He started a guitar circle that transformed into a performing band 1452’s bringing the community together and generating funds for local charities.
• Linda Hickey: A dedicated leader, cultural ambassador & advocate for NL’s heritage, she champions museums as key tourism & educational institutions. As the Performance Director for Hamilton Sound, her music preserves the province’s stories. Linda promotes heritage worldwide and has been recognized internationally by receiving a Buckingham Palace commendation. Her endless volunteering continues to make a lasting impact.

Youth of the Year

Junior Youth of the Year 

Winner: 

• Annabelle Edmunds-Ramsay: Annabelle sings in many languages but sharing Nunatsiavut’s Inuttitut classical music means the most. She performs with diverse groups like Shallaway Youth Choir, Indigenous Performing Arts NL and Opera on the Avalon. Volunteering on the Chorister Council and being an Apprentice to younger singers speaks to her leadership & dedication. Her empathy and optimism shines bright on and off stage.

Finalist: 

• Olivia Neary: A standout student at St. Paul’s, Olivia is a dynamic youth leader in St. John’s. She performs with Shallaway, Kittiwake, Young Folk at the Hall, Best Kind Productions, Connie Parsons School of Dance, and the Kiwanis Music Festival. Olivia mentors younger choristers and dance students. She’s also an avid rower, having rowed for four seasons in the Royal St. John’s Regatta.

Senior Youth of the Year

Winner: 

• Klaire Gardiner: Klaire is a dedicated student at Gonzaga High School in St. John’s, NL, enrolled in the Advanced Placement program. She co-founded the Outdoor Library of Airport Heights and volunteers with initiatives like the Kids Eat Smart Program, AHFD, Coldest Night of the Year, and PUPS. A Black Belt in Karate and certified lifeguard, Klaire completed all levels of the Duke of Edinburgh Award and aspires to become a psychologist to support her community.

Finalists: 

• Declan Walsh: Declan is a Grade 11 student at Gonzaga High School. He is active in the tennis community as a player, coach, and advocate, and works to support local youth through sport. Declan is also a keen political observer and involved in youth politics. His passion for leadership and service is evident in everything he does.

• Seth Hyde: Seth is a grade 11 EFI student at Gonzaga High School. His true passion is in helping others. His broadcasting platform has enabled him to make impactful contributions to several charities, causes & organizations. Seth always leads with kindness, and inspires others to do the same. He has a natural instinct to always include everyone and he is determined to make a real difference at every opportunity.

Athletes of the Year Awards

Awards are given in three categories - female, male and team.

Marg Davis Award for Female Athlete of the Year

Winner: 

• Jaida Lee: Jaida was a member of Team Canada’s women’s baseball team that captured a bronze medal at the 2024 Women’s Baseball World Cup in Thunder Bay, Ontario and Miyoshi, Japan. Jaida had a strong performance, pitching a shutout victory over Venezuela and helping Canada advance, where they went on to defeat Team Mexico for a bronze medal. Jaida was also a member of the University of British Columbia’s Men’s Junior Varsity baseball team.

Finalists: 

• Kate Bazeley: Kate is a competitive distance runner. Last year she won her eighth Tely 10 title, competed for Canada in Serbia at the World Cross Country Running Championships, placed sixth at the National Marathon Championships at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon, finished third at the Vancouver First Half Half Marathon, and won our Provincial Marathon. Most recently, she raced in the pro field at this year’s Boston Marathon.

• Falon McLoughlan: Falon represented Canada in women’s volleyball at the sixth Pan-American Games in Brazil, helping the team win silver and qualify for the 100th Deaflympics in Tokyo. She received a Distinguished Performance Award from the Pan American Games Committee, a long-term athlete development scholarship from the Canadian Deaf Sports Association, and was named one of the Players of the Year by the Newfoundland and Labrador Volleyball Association.

Tom “Dynamite” Dunn Award for Male Athlete of the Year

Winner: 

• Colin Walsh: Colin had an incredible season, earning Regular Season MVP, Playoff MVP, and All-Star Pitcher honours in the St. John’s Senior Men’s Fastpitch League, leading in both wins and strikeouts. He was also a key player on the league’s championship team. At the Senior Men’s Fastpitch Provincial Championship, Colin was named Tournament MVP. He capped off the year with a Gold Medal at the Senior Men’s Nationals, where he once again earned Playoff MVP honours for his outstanding performance.

Finalists: 

• Dylan MacKenzie: Dylan found success in baseball, hockey, and football in 2024, including an AESHL and Herder Championship with the St. John’s Caps, Provincial Championship with the St. John’s Capitals, SJABA Championship with the Shamrocks and St. John’s Touch Football League Championship with the Ravens. He also competed at the National Senior Baseball Championship in 2024 and Allan Cup in April 2025.

• Liam Noble: Liam won Gold at the 2024 U18 World Ball Hockey Championship in Slovakia with Team Canada U18. He led the team in points & was named Tournament MVP. He then played for Team NL Selects U19 at Ball Hockey Nationals in Saskatchewan, winning Silver, & was named All-Star Forward. He was MVP of High School 4A Ball Hockey, winning Gold with O’Donel. He also played Junior A Ice Hockey in the MHL.
  
  

Team of the Year

Winner: 

• Galway Hitmen: The Galway Hitmen went undefeated (9-0) to win Gold at the 2024 Men’s Canadian Fastpitch Championship in Saskatoon, SK. They outscored opponents 77-17 (+60), with a .339 team batting average and a 2.10 Earned Run Average. The team also earned five awards: MVPs for both the Qualifying and Championship Rounds, and three All-Star selections.

Finalists: 

• U15 AAA Hitmen: The Eastern Hitman Male Under-15 AAA hockey team had an impressive year. They won the East Coast Ice Jam in Nova Scotia, then captured both the NL U15AAA league and provincial titles. The team then went on to represent the province in the 2024 Atlantic U15 championship, where the team defeated the Moncton Hawks 5-3 to capture the gold medal.

• Volkswagen St. John’s Rowing: The Volkswagen St. John's women's fixed-seat rowing team captured the Kim Stirling Memorial Championship Trophy at the 2024 Royal St. John's Regatta, ending Hyflodraulic Limited's four-year reign. Earlier, they also won the Placentia Regatta. Led by Coach Alyssa Devereaux and Coxswain Dean Hammond, the crew balanced careers, motherhood, and training, showcasing resilience, teamwork, and excellence in Newfoundland’s unique rowing tradition.

Climate Change Leadership Awards

 Awards are given in two categories - corporate and community.

Corporate Climate Change Leadership Award

Winner: 

• Dana Locke: AmeriSpec NL is a leading home energy audit provider in St. John’s, having completed over 10,000 audits and helped deliver $34 million in rebates, reducing over 1,100 tons of greenhouse gases yearly. Dana Locke has guided over 4,000 homeowners through rebate programs, making AmeriSpec a trusted climate advocate and local sustainability leader.

Finalists: 

• Newco Metal & Auto Recycling: Newco Metal & Auto Recycling is Newfoundland and Labrador’s largest and most experienced recycler, locally owned and operated for over 30 years. With a state-of-the-art metal shredder, Newco processes over 1,400 tractor trailer loads of metal annually and employs more than 50 people, supporting the green economy across 12 provincial locations.

• Newfoundland Power: Newfoundland Power is the main electricity distributor on the island portion of Newfoundland and Labrador. Focused on sustainability, it has reduced emissions through its takeCHARGE EV Charging Network and anti-idling fleet program, enabling battery-powered operations. These initiatives have cut over 123 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, reduced noise, and advanced electrification.

Community Climate Change Leadership Award

Winner: 

• Food Producers Forum Inc: Food Producers Forum Inc is a non-profit group that works to improve food security and community health in Newfoundland and Labrador. They focus on rebuilding local food production, planting raised bed gardens for single-parent families, building low-energy food structures, running a food producers survey, and connecting with rural and Indigenous communities.

Finalists: 

• Conservation Corps Newfoundland and Labrador: Conservation Corps Newfoundland and Labrador is a non-profit providing youth with training and jobs in environmental and cultural conservation. Through Green Teams, youth work on invasive species removal, cleanups, and greening projects, developing future sustainability leaders. Their efforts have strengthened community resilience and inspired positive change.
• Building Owners & Managers Association of NL (BOMA NL): BOMA NL advances the local commercial real estate sector by promoting sustainability. Through advocacy, education, and recognizing best practices, BOMA NL has helped over 25 properties - totaling 3.5 million square feet - improve energy efficiency. Two sites have won national TOBY Awards for outstanding building performance.

Innovative Housing Design Award

Heritage Awards

The following properties were recognized for preserving or restoring the original character of a building:

Winners: 

• 5 Military Road (B&G Holdings): The original house dates to back to at least 1893 and needed an enormous amount of work inside and out. A new foundation was required, the rear wall of the house was reframed, the front bay window was rebuilt in line with the architectural style of the building, new cladding was installed to meet heritage and modern building code requirements, and the interior was completely renovated sympathetic to the character of the building. This work will help preserve the building for years to come. 

• 124 Gower Street (Robin Peckford): 124 Gower Street is located on one of the oldest streets in downtown St. John’s and is an example of a residential vernacular (bracketed) building style. The property owner has reinstated traditional heritage characteristics by replacing all windows and doors, as well as replacing vinyl siding with traditional wood clapboard and trims.

• 134 Military Road/The Postmaster's Bakery (Mark Purphy and Eldon Murray): In addition to their contributions to the business community in St. John’s, the owners of The Postmaster’s Bakery have contributed to the St. John’s built environment through the restoration of the building at 134 Military Road. It is a wonderful example of how an old building can be revitalized into a new use and contribute positively to the streetscape.

Tourism Awards

Awards are given in three categories - excellence, legend, and distinction.

Tourism Excellence Award 

• St. John's Walking Tours: St. John’s Walking Tours began in 2022 as a single guided tour by friends Pierre Trowbridge and Melissa Hogan. Now entering its fourth season, the company offers four tours—including food and beer tastings—led by a team of seven. Born from a shared love of travel and storytelling, the tours highlight St. John’s culture and history while connecting visitors with local businesses and the downtown community. Pierre and Melissa are proud members of the city’s tourism industry.

Tourism Legend Award

• Sandy Andrews: Sandy is a strategic thinker with over 40 years in the hospitality industry, known for building lasting relationships and creating memorable experiences. Since 2008, she’s led the sales and catering team at the Delta St. John's, overseeing conferences and events at the Hotel and the St. John's Convention Centre. Her leadership, attention to detail, and focus on client satisfaction have made her a trusted figure in the industry and a strong ambassador for both the city and the hotel she represents.

The Destination St. John’s Award of Distinction

Volunteer of the Year

This award recognizes two categories of volunteers - individual and community group.

Individual Volunteer of the Year

Winner: 

• Stephanie Evans: Stephanie Evans advocates for mental health and disability rights in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. A recent social work graduate, she volunteers with the Canada Games and Inclusion NL and serves as chairperson for the National Educational Association of Disabled Persons (NEADS), supporting disabled post-secondary students. She represented NL and Canada at the Global Disability Summit in Berlin.

Finalists: 

• Kate Cadigan: Kate is a committed advocate for gender equity and youth leadership. She chairs Equal Voice NL and is VP External for the NL Youth Parliament. A recent Political Science and Gender Studies graduate from MUN, she led as President of the Politics and Law Society. Kate strengthens her leadership through the Limitless Leadership Program and Informed Opinions Speaker’s Bureau.

  Kay King: Over the past seven years, Kay has found deep fulfillment in volunteering with SHOP, a role that has allowed her to support vulnerable individuals and be a voice for those in need. Advocacy comes naturally to Kay, and she finds great joy in helping people at every stage of life. Being part of such a compassionate and impactful organization as SHOP is something she is truly grateful for.

Group Volunteer of the Year

Winner: 

• Waterford Valley High Community Outreach Network: The Waterford Valley High Community Outreach Network is a group of grade 10-12 students at Waterford Valley High. These students take part in different initiatives each month throughout the city and school community. The Waterford Valley High Community Outreach network organized initiatives such as food drives, holiday stocking donations and helped with Special Olympics NL. Their end goal is to make St.John's a great place to live.

Finalists: 

• Georgetown Neighbourhood Association: The Georgetown Neighbourhood Assocation was founded on March 20, 2000 by residents interested in community building. Georgestown is the neighbourhood enclosed by Military Rd, Bonaventure Ave, Monkstown Rd, Carpasian Rd and Empire Ave. The Georgestown Neighbourhood Association addresses issues concerning the well-being of their neighbourhood, and enhances the social and physical environment of the community.

• Sharing the Harvest NL: Sharing the Harvest NL which was established in 2020 following a change in provincial wildlife legislation. This change allowed licensed big game hunters to legally donate a portion of their harvest to food banks. Initially, the organization focused primarily on big game meat—moose in particular. Over time, our efforts expanded to include a broader range of wild-harvested foods, such as small game, fish, and berries—commonly and affectionately known as country food.