BALLARAT'S Grace O'Dwyer has won the Stawell Women's Gift - and an increased prizemoney of $40,000.
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It was the 15-year-old's first attempt at the event.
She won with a time of 13.40 seconds, running off 10.25 metres.
O'Dwyer started as the pre-gift favourite on Saturday.
She nearly failed to qualify for the final after running second in her heat.
She made it through as one of the two fastest losers, along with Ararat teenager Sarah Blizzard.
O'Dwyer was in tears after the win and said she couldn't believe what had happened.
"It means so much and I have been working for so long for this," she said.
I was so nervous and after the semi when I thought I didn't make it I was so disappointed.
"The race was just a blur, I couldn't even remember it."
Blizzard, running off 9.5 metres, started the backmarker for the event and finished last.
It was the second year in a row she contested the women's gift final.
This year, prizemoney was changed to equal the men's prize pool.
O'Dwyer earned $40,000 for winning the women's final.
Last year's winner Holly Dobbyn received only $4000.
