Fay Clark said her daughter Gloria, who has run away from home before, was last seen in Mildura at the start of June. 

Mrs Clark said she had been deeply concerned for Gloria's safety and felt as if she had been living in a nightmare.

"I didn't know where she was," she said. 

"We had no contact with her for weeks and weeks.

"It was really scary, I didn't know where she was or what she was doing."

Mrs Clark praised police and welfare agencies for helping to find Gloria and said they were "amazing". 

"I am really relieved to have her home safe," she said. 

"It is something that can happen to anyone and the work the police and DHS do is amazingly fantastic.

"Sometimes they get a really bad rap but they deserve a lot of praise."

Mrs Clark said she was also grateful to all the people who shared Gloria's photograph on social media.

"It is really comforting knowing there are people out there who are also concerned and want to help," she said. 

"Bendigo is a good community."

She said her other six children would be happy to know their sister was safe and sound. 

"It is good for the family to know she is alright," she said. 

"It really was my worst nightmare.

"I am relieved it's over."