Her affinity for the national park has inspired dozens of paintings, one which took out the local landmark award at the Koroit Lions Club Art Show on the weekend.

Ms Rauert said she was surprised, but delighted to take out the award.

“It’s lovely,” she said.

Ms Rauert has entered the art show a number of times since taking up painting 11 years ago.

“I love Tower HIll,” she said. 

“Every time I drive out I love looking at the water – particularly the light shining on the water.”

The national park even inspired a solo exhibition for Ms Rauert in 2017.

She said she loved painting.

“I like to be able to express the feelings that I get when I look at a scene,” Ms Rauert said.

“I don’t necessarily paint it exactly as the scene looks, I try to capture the feelings it conjures up inside me.”

The 36^th annual event was declared a huge success.

Lions Club of Koroit Art Show committee member Blake Allen said the number of people who attended the show had increased.

“We had great attendance – it looks like we’ve had about 400 people through,” Mr Allen said.

He said the three-day event was made possible thanks to the hard-working committee members.

“We probably had about 20 club members helping out over the three days,” Mr Allen said.

Ms Rauert took home $300 for her award, while Creswick’s Lyn Cooke won the overall prize, taking home $500.

Wilma Williams took out the people’s choice award and $200.

Mr Allen said organisers of the show had extended entries to include mediums other painting including sculptures and photography.

“It has been mainly paintings but for the last few years we’ve been trying to open it up and get new artists.”

Mr Allen said the push appeared to be working, with almost 200 entries received from all over the state.

He said the event was a fund-raiser for the Lions Club, but the main goal was to give visitors and residents alike a chance to view and buy artworks.