Ms Brit received this year's Kathryn MacKenzie Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Bendigo Tourism Industry for her support of products that are designed and made in the Bendigo region.

She has owned Bob Boutique in Williamson Street for 15 years and has created long-lasting relationships with artists and makers to ensure a locally-made flavour is a speciality of the store.

Ms Brit's mother Gail Tavener said her daughter was thrilled and humbled to receive the Bendigo Tourism award.

"Since opening in 2004, Sonia has worked so hard for 15 years to bring the essence of Bendigo designers, artists and makers together, to showcase the amazing talents of the Bendigo Region to locals and visitors alike," Ms Tavener said.

"Her determination to support local businesses in these ventures has forged long lasting relationships, high quality goods and a point of difference.

"She has always worked closely with Bendigo Tourism and along with the Central Deborah Gold Mine they stock a selection of her (Sonia Brit Design and Cute Australia) labels."

Bendigo Tourism Board chair Finn Vedelsby said Ms Brit had committeed "over and above" to improve the Bendigo visitor experience.

"Sonia has always has a very good relationship with Bendigo Tourism and is fiercely in favour of locally made and locally sourced products," he said.

"The Kathryn Mackenzie Award... recognises the dedication and passion of people working professionally or voluntarily, and their contribution to furthering Bendigo's reputation, as a leading cultural destination.

"Her beautiful shop has seen trends come and go, but Sonia has always been able to adapt and change to keep Bob Boutique fresh and the place to go for something different, original, locally-made, and a little cute and quirky."

After being diagnosed with an astrocytoma brain tumour in 2012, she had treatment and surgery but lived with cancer for seven years.

Earlier this year Ms Brit found her conditioned had worsened and she has taken part in a clinical trial and had her second brain surgery in seven years as part of her treatment.

"It will take quite some time for her to recover, but she has a passion and the tenacity to be well again and will do everything possible to achieve that," Ms Tavener said.

"Updates are posted on the shop door and people are welcome to pop in with messages of love, support and wellness for her."

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