Best of Torbay Awards

The Best of Torbay Awards celebrate the achievements of local businesses, entrepreneurs, volunteers and individuals that go above and beyond in our Town each and every day!

The list of awards include the following:

Business of the Year Award

The Business of the Year award is given to the Business that exemplifies an all-round excellence in business as well as a significant contribution to the community. This year’s winners for the Business of the Year for the Town of Torbay are Lorina’s Restaurant and the Post Taphouse.

Over the past year, Lorina’s Restaurant has demonstrated remarkable dedication to delivering high-quality amazing home-made food and service while consistently exceeding customer expectations. Beyond their success as a business, they play an important role in supporting the local community through job creation, community involvement, and partnerships with other local organizations. Their professionalism, and commitment to both customers and community truly set them apart.

The Post Taphouse embody everything a great local business stands for, excellence, consistency and community leadership. They have built a reputation for outstanding food, welcoming hospitality and an atmosphere that keeps customers coming back. Beyond their daily operations, they actively invest in Torbay by sponsoring local sports teams, supporting the local food bank, and stepping up for the community. Their commitment goes far beyond their doors, they strengthen the local economy, support families, and create a space where the community gathers and connects. That combination of business excellence and genuine community impact makes them truly deserving of this honour.

Ward Gosse Coach of the Year Award

The Ward Gosse Coach of the Year award for the Town of Torbay is given to an individual that has made a significant impact in a specific sport or activity in the community. This award is dedicated in memory of our dear friend and colleague: Councillor Ward Gosse. Ward’s passion for participation in sport and community was one that was admirable by all of those who knew him. This year’s winner of the Ward Gosse Coach of the Year Award is Mark Whitty.

Mark Whitty has been coaching since both his boys were able to participate on teams, including Northeast Minor hockey; Torbay Minor Softball; Northeast Basketball; St. John’s Minor Baseball; as well as during our own region’s Killick Coast Games. He is a true role model and wants the best for each and every player. He promotes fair play and hard work and receives positive feedback and correspondence from parents thanking him for his time and for the positive reinforcements that he provides to the players.

Customer Commitment Award

The Customer Commitment Award is given to the Business that delivers consistent, superior, customer service and commitment to their patrons. This year’s Customer Commitment Award winner is Made to Move Physio + Wellness.

Made to Move Physiotherapy + Wellness was founded on the belief that people deserve to feel heard, supported, and confident in their bodies. From the very first interaction, clients experience a level of service that is intentional and personalized. We prioritize one-on-one assessment and treatment sessions, ensuring that every individual feels seen and understood. Staff take the time to listen to client’s stories, explain their diagnosis, and collaboratively create a plan that aligns with their goals.

Economic Impact Award

The Economic Impact Award is given to the Business that is viewed as an economic driver within the community through its sustainable approach to business, as well as investment in the Community that has significant positive impact on the economy of Torbay. This year’s Economic Impact Award winner is Newfoundland Vintners.

Newfoundland Vintners has operated successfully within the community, demonstrating stability and long-term viability in a competitive and highly regulated industry. As the province’s first ferment-on-premise winery, Newfoundland Vintners introduced a unique experiential retail model to the region. Rather than traditional transactional retail, customers actively participate in the winemaking process, creating repeat visitation, word-of-mouth marketing, and destination-based traffic. This model attracts customers from outside Torbay, increasing inbound spending and reinforcing the Town as a hub for specialty retail experiences.

Lifetime Achievement Award

The Lifetime Achievement Award for the Town of Torbay is given to an individual that has made significant contributions to a business, non-profit organization, cause or community. This year’s recipients for the Lifetime Achievement Award Max Coombs and Derrick Dymond.

Max Coombs at Max’s Auto Repairs Limited has been serving the residents of Torbay and surrounding area since 1986 when he first started his business. This spring marks his 40^th anniversary in operation. He has set the standard high in service and holds his employees to that same standard. Max always tries to find the best solution financially for his customers and ensures they are always valued when they step into the doors of Max’s Auto Repairs Limited.

Throughout the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, Derrick Dymond was consistently involved in community leadership. He was a charter member of the Kinsmen Club of Bell Island, serving in executive roles and fundraising for community initiatives. Under his leadership, the Torbay Folk Arts Council has grown into a cornerstone of cultural life here in Torbay, reflecting Derrick’s longstanding role as a builder of communities, large and small. Since 2017, Torbay Folk Arts Council has hosted more than 800 Folk Night performances featuring local and professional musicians and storytellers. Across concerts, coffee houses, summer series, beach stage events, and community showcases, Torbay Folk Arts Council activities have reached more than 6,000 residents and visitors alike.

New / Emerging Business Award

The New/Emerging Business Award is given to a business that has been in operation for more than 1 year and less than 3 years, has made a significant impact on the community, and shows promise to continue its success in the future.

No winner for 2026

Senior of the Year Award

The Senior of the Year Award is given to an individual over the age of 60 that has made significant contributions to the Town of Torbay through service to the community, community social involvement, community pride, etc.

This year’s winner of the Senior of the Year Award is Dot Tulk.

Dot Tulk has been a significant contributor to the community during her many years running and organizing the 50+ Friendship Club. Participants continue to credit their joy for this group as a result of Dot’s organization and care for all participants. Dot’s commitment was truly evident during a time in which she had to be there for her family while navigating the illness of a loved one, she still maintained a positive and committed presence to the 50+ friendship club ensuring participants and friends continued to get the most out of the meetings.

Volunteer of the Year

The Volunteer of the Year award is given to an individual that has made significant contributions to offering a service and/or increasing the quality of life for residents of Torbay through sport, recreation, charitable causes, social activities, etc. This year’s winner of the Volunteer of the Year Award is Marie Codner.

Marie is always there to lend a hand whenever needed, she believes in giving back to her community and she is a believer that when given talents, they should be shared. Her examples and contributions of volunteerism include but are not limited to: Minor Softball, Town of Torbay Events, Holy Trinity Parish Choir, Torbay History House, Torbay Sports Hall of Fae, the list goes on. In 2012, Marie was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for community service.

Volunteer Group of the Year

The Volunteer Group of the Year Award is given to a group who has made significant contributions to offering a service and/or increasing the quality of life for residents of Torbay through sport, recreation, charitable causes, social activities, etc. This year’s winner of the Volunteer Group of the Year Award is the Torbay Quilters.

The Torbay Quilters group is a welcoming, calm learning space for its members to come and enjoy a day together with like-minded quilters. The ladies who volunteer to run the group are dedicated and very passionate about the need for this group to grow and continue. The group meets once a week at the Torbay Common, and holds two retreats a year, as well as other outings they go on outside of the weekly meet-ups. This group provides a safe, friendly, learning atmosphere that keeps the ladies young at heart as well as active with mind and body. It gives them purpose and they are eager to attend!

Young Entrepreneur Award

The Young Entrepreneur award is given to an individual under the age of 35 that has made a significant impact on the community with regards to business success and contribution to community events. This year’s winner of the Young Entrepreneur is Jacob Squires.

Since Lorina’s opening in late 2023, Jacob Squires has been an important piece of the puzzle in growing the restaurants reach across the community and Northeast Avalon! Since receiving this honour before in the 2024 Torbay Business Awards, Jacob and the team at Lorina’s haven’t looked back; they continue to offer high quality meals and drinks that accommodates all individuals, cater for local events and community engagement opportunities, and host events within the restaurant with themes that offer something for all age demographics!