Last evening, the City of St. John’s celebrated outstanding community contributions at the 2025 Applause Awards gala held at the St. John’s Convention Centre.

“These awards are our way of saying thank you — to the volunteers, leaders, changemakers, and community builders who help make St. John’s a place where people feel welcome, connected, and proud to call home,” said Mayor Danny Breen. “On behalf of Council, I extend my congratulations to all finalists and recipients. You have all made our community shine."

At the event, Mayor Breen announced the Senior of the Year Award will be renamed to the Councillor Debbie Hanlon Award for Senior of the Year in honour of her contributions to the seniors community in St. John’s.

The award winners and finalists are as follows:

Tom “Dynamite” Dunne Award for Male Athlete of the Year:

• Finalists: Dylan MacKenzie, Liam Noble
• Winner: Colin Walsh

Marg Davis Award for Female Athlete of the Year:

• Finalists: Kate Bazeley, Falon McLoughlan
• Winner: Jaida Lee

Team of the Year:

• Finalists: U15 AAA Hitmen, Volkswagen St. John’s Rowing
• Winner: Galway Hitmen

Climate Change Leadership (Corporate):

• Finalists: Newco Metal & Auto Recycling, Newfoundland Power
• Winner: Dana Locke – AmeriSpec NL

Climate Change Leadership (Community):

• Finalists: Conservation Corps NL, Building Owners & Managers Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (BOMA NL)
• Winner: Food Producers Forum Inc

Heritage Awards:

• Winners: 5 Military Road, 124 Gower Street, 134 Military Road (Postmaster’s Bakery)

Councillor Debbie Hanlon Award for Senior of the Year:

• Finalists: Linda Hickey, Gordon O’Brien
• Winner: Gerry Beresford

Tourism (Legend):

• Winner: Sandy Andrews

Tourism (Excellence):

• Winner: St. John’s Walking Tours

Youth of the Year (Junior):

• Finalist: Olivia Neary
• Winner: Annabelle Edmunds-Ramsay

Youth of the Year (Senior):

• Finalists: Declan Walsh, Seth Hyde
• Winner: Klaire Gardiner

Volunteer of the Year (Individual):

• Finalists: Kate Cadigan, Kay King
• Winner: Stephanie Evans

Volunteer of the Year (Community Group):

• Finalists: Georgestown Neighbourhood Association, Sharing the Harvest NL
• Winner: Waterford Valley High Community Outreach

Innovative Housing Design Award:

• Winner: The Gathering Place (Mercy House)

Destination St. John’s Award of Distinction:

• Winner: Canadian Institute of Forestry, Newfoundland and Labrador Section
  
  

This year, the City received 74 nominations across the 14 award categories.

Launched in 2021, the St. John’s Applause Awards program consolidates the majority of the City’s individual awards under one banner, allowing the City to celebrate the outstanding achievements of individuals and organizations across various sectors. The City of St. John’s looks forward to expanding the Applause Awards next year with the development of a new Arts and Culture Award.

Learn more about the award categories, recipients, and finalists