Courtney Dove received the annual award after she completed year 12 last year.

The prize is given to a college student based on their academic achievement and contribution to the community.

Courtney said she was pleased to win the award.

“I worked really hard in year 12, so it is nice to have that hard work be rewarded,” she said.

She is studying a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Melbourne and living at Queens College. “The prize will enable me to stay living at college, which is such a huge help not only because of how expensive it is, but mostly because of the fact that I don't have another option being from the Wimmera and moving to the city.”

Courtney said she wanted to major in both psychology media and communications.

“I am aiming to work in public relations in the future and hopefully work overseas,” she said.

“College is a completely new world for me so I haven’t branched out too much. I’ve been focused on my studies and adjusting to university.”