BEAUTY therapist Sarah Barby has won the prestigious Victoria University Student of the Year award.
Ms Barby, 26, from Dunnstown, recently started work at Salus Day Spa at the Lake House.
"I'm honoured to win - it shows that I care about my work and that I'm passionate about the industry," she said.
She wasn't expecting to win the award, which is presented once a year.
In winning, Ms Barby also represented the university in the Hair and Beauty Industry Association. This puts her in the top three in the state for beauty therapy.
She gained a grade of more than 97 per cent.
Ms Barby, previously a qualified naturopath, began her career in beauty therapy after realising she wanted to know more about skin conditions.
She worked at Elysium Day Spa in Ballarat for eight months before moving to Salus Day Spa.
"Working at Elysium helped me a lot," she said.
Her daily work includes massage and remedial therapy, facials, manicures, pedicures, body treatment, waxing and hydrotherapy (water treatment).