Torquay celebrates the best in business

THE entrepreneurial spirit of the Surf Coast shone brightly last week, as the Torquay Business Awards, presented by the Surf Coast Times, marked its biggest year yet.

A sold-out gala event at The Sands Resort drew a record 170 attendees, with the business community turning out in force to recognise innovation, resilience and achievement across the 3228 postcode.

Now in its fourth year, the annual awards program — hosted by Commerce Torquay in partnership with the Rotary Club of Torquay — continue to grow in scale and prestige.

This year, 25 finalists were named across 12 award categories, selected from a strong field of submissions that reflected the calibre and diversity of the Surf Coast business community.

Business Leader of the Year recipient Nathan Sayer of Indigo Wolf, receiving his award from Commerce Torquay president Sarah Minter.

Commerce Torquay president Sarah Minter congratulated this year’s finalists and winners, and celebrated another successful awards ceremony.

“It’s not easy running a business and standing out in the crowd, keeping going in tough times — all of that is incredibly difficult. Through the Torquay Business Awards we are able to put a spotlight on the businesses that are doing a good job so we can learn from their experiences, but also celebrate them, hopefully raise their profile and give them an opportunity to thrive in our local community,” she said.

“We’ve grown year-on-year — next year’s our fifth year — so I think it’s going to be even bigger and better than we’ve done this year — but I might need a bit of sleep before we’ve got a chance to do that!”

Brooke Murphy, Graham Jefferies and Wayne Noorman of Samesyn 2.0. The profit-for-purpose restaurant was named a finalist in five award categories this year and took out the Outside the Box award.

2025 Torquay Business Awards – Winners

Not-for-profit Award – Ocean Mind (sponsored by Rotary Club of Torquay)
Event of the Year – Art of the Minds (sponsored by Commerce Torquay)
Best New Business – Digger Now (sponsored by Coulter Legal)
Retail Award – Priceline Pharmacy Torquay (sponsored by Commerce Torquay)
Sustainability Award – Yogi Peace Club (sponsored by Surf Coast Shire)
Professional Services Award – Coastal Nectar (sponsored by Bay 93.9 Geelong & K Rock Geelong)
Tourism & Hospitality Award – Torquay Bowls Club (sponsored by Turner Events TV & Moon Mother Productions)
Outside the Box Award – Samesyn 2.0 (sponsored by Surf Coast Shire)
Personal Care Award – Something Hair and Makeup (sponsored by Commerce Torquay)
Trade Services Award – Braille Sign Supplies (sponsored by Wolf Telstra)
Business Leader of the Year – Nathan Sayers, Indigo Wolf Sportswear (sponsored by Commerce Torquay)
Business of the Year – Coastal Nectar (sponsored by Surf Coast Times)