The awards were announced last night with Bryley Savage and Jacqui Wait also picking up scholarship prizes.

Ms Holden received a $1500 business course scholarship from the Business re-Education Centre.

The Women in Business Scholarship was developed last year by Wordsmith LDP’s Laura Patterson Smith.

It celebrates local women in business and showcases the depth of female talent in Victoria.

It also offers support to women who are establishing their own business and promotes sharing talents across the community.

Scholarship judge Pam MacDonald of Broadspring Consulting said the scholarship helped look for people with a sense of innovation and creativity.

“This is about a scholarship giving access to a program that will give them practical skills and good knowledge,” she said.

“We want to make sure it’s put to really good use in terms of developing themselves and will make a contribution to the community.”

Ms MacDonald said passion, rather than a financially-viable idea, was key to the scholarship.

“A lot of times we get applications that are at the concept stage,” she said.

“They might not be fiscally sustainable but part of the elements of the course is about goal setting and budgeting.

“It’s about enhancing the Bendigo community.”

Ms Holden is the director of children's services at the Bendigo Regional YMCA.

She hopes to develop the childcare aspect of the YMCA.

“We want to do the best we can and provide the best childcare in Bendigo,” she said.

“We are lucky enough to have a brand new facility that opened in January of last year.

“It’s been growing and we have a lot of programs there.”

Ms Holden said it was an easy decision to apply for the scholarship.

“As soon as I saw the email I knew we were meant to apply for it,” she said.

“To see what’s out there from the women who are part of the course is amazing. They are a very clever and talented bunch.”