Yesterday, she was named the winner of Bendigo's Got Talent.

The 17-year-old said she was overwhelmed by the recognition.

Bendigo's Leonie Ferguson placed second, followed by Sea Lake's Jenna Conlan.

"It was a fantastic opportunity," Mikala said.

The Connection Club initiative attracted 18 entries.

Mikala said she was pleasantly surprised when she was shortlisted among the top 10.

She knew she was in the running to take out the top place on the podium when she received a call attend the winner reveal at the Bendigo Marketplace.

Mikala's entry was of herself playing guitar and singing James Arthur's 'Say you won't let go' - one of her favourite songs.

The Wedderburn College Year 12 student started learning to play guitar at school.

But she said she "kind of lost sight of it" for some time, moving on to play piano.

Mikala then tried her hand at ukulele, having missed the acoustic sound, before returning to guitar.

"I could never comprehend singing and strumming," she said.

She was mostly self-taught, both in her singing and her guitar playing

Furthering her skills was something she said she aspired to in future.

Mikala credited school musicals and the community production theatre group with helping develop her confidence in singing and performing.

Her mother helped her realise her love for community theatre.

It was the community surrounding Mikala that suggested she enter the Connection Club's talent competition.

"I love living in Wedderburn," she said.

"I wouldn't change it for the world. The support is unreal and just being able to walk down the street and just know everybody, it's just such a good feeling.

"Thank you to everyone for their support."

Mikala said she wasn't sure if she would qualify for a competition promoted as 'Bendigo's Got Talent' because she lived in the broader region, but decided to give it a go.

She said she loved watching the other competition entries.

Mikayla said Central Victoria was home to so much talent.

"It was a really fantastic way to showcase some of that," she said.

"There are a lot of people that don't get seen enough, I don't think."

She wanted to say a big thank you to headspace and the event's sponsors for getting some of that talent out there.

Leonie's entry was in the dance category, to 'Save me' by Vintage Culture and Adam K featuring MKLA.

Jenna placed third with her rendition of Dua Lipa's 'Don't start now'.

The competition had also given Mikala to reflect on the positive impact hobbies had on people's headspace.

Her passion was music.

"It's just such a good escape, I find, and I think that's with any hobby," she said.

"It's so important to have something you can go to."

Headspace Bendigo community engagement worker Haylee Kennedy reiterated the importance of having a hobby or passion when it came to maintaining a healthy headspace.

"Music doesn't work for everybody," Mrs Kennedy said.

But she said it was important people identified and pursued passions.

Mrs Kennedy said the talent competition had proved the importance of connection, of family support, and of trying something new.

It had also showcased the creativity people and organisations had in adapting to the conditions created by COVID-19.

"Even though we've had restrictions, we can still reach out to people," Mrs Kennedy said.

The Bendigo's Got Talent competition was initially intended to be staged as a live event during youth week.

"Because of COVID-19 we were unable to hold the event, but it is still something we could do online," Mrs Kennedy said.

The organisers never anticipated the competition would be so popular.

"When we announced the top 10 and released all the videos for the public to see the reach of engagements hit 15,000 within four to five days," Mrs Kennedy said.

More than 1500 votes were cast. Winners were decided by the size of the teams backing them.

"We can't leave it here," Mrs Kennedy said.

"The next event we do will be a live event. We're hoping for it to be as big as putting it in Rosalind Park."

The idea, thus far, is to offer each of this year's performers the opportunity to take to the stage.

The top 10 contestants have already been awarded gift packs.

Mikala, Leonie and Jenna were each awarded a Bendigo Marketplace voucher.

The Connection Club includes headspace Bendigo, Bendigo Community Health Services, Bendigo Marketplace, AFL Central Victoria, Anglicare Victoria, YogaEarthLove, Bike Bendigo, YMCA Youth Services Bendigo and Yo Bendigo.

Judges involved in shortlisting the entries included Chris DeAraugo and Kalista Thomas.

Other supporters included Jools for Jim.

To see all of the Top 10 entries, click here.

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