Tess Pearce, a Year 9 student at Ballarat Secondary College, was last term given the chance to test out My Tobii, a computer which uses the operator's eye movements and its keyboard to type and speak.

Tess, who is confined to a wheelchair and cannot control her hands, currently uses a head pointer - a long pointer strapped to her head, to type.

Before that was available, the determined school campus captain used her nose.

The college's East Campus integration co-ordinator Barb Fix said while the equipment would be priceless for Tess and her academic future, its actual cost was $34,000.

"It's a lot of money, but Tess is one of our most successful academic students and she is someone who is going to go places," Ms Fix said.

"It was great that Tess had the opportunity to test out the equipment, but we never realised what a difference it would make.

"She needs this computer."

Ms Fix said she had contacted Ballarat South Rotary, who quickly approved Tess as a very worthy recipient for its annual car raffle.

Rotarian Bob Reynolds, Ballarat Citizen of the Year, had been among Tess' biggest supporters, selling the $2 raffle tickets outside Big W, in the Bridge Mall and through contacting organisations and government agencies for help, she said.

Tess, who met up with Mr Reynolds outside Big W yesterday, said, with a blinding smile, the computer gave her "dignity".

The 15-year-old said she hoped to one day become a lawyer working as a disability advocate.