Lorraine Joy Nicholson has admitted dangerous driving causing the death of the women, who were on their way home from a line dancing event in regional Victoria in May 2018.

Elaine Middleton, Tess Ely, Dianne Barr and Claudia Jackson, aged between 64 and 75, died at the scene.

Nicholson, 66, pleaded guilty to four charges of dangerous driving causing death in the Ballarat County Court on Thursday, when Judge Michael Bourke handed down a sentence of community work.

Each of the charges carries a maximum 10-year sentence, but the judge found there were exceptional circumstances that meant she should not serve any jail time, including that she was a person of "exemplary good character".

"You are genuinely and highly remorseful," he said.

The Stawell woman must complete 500 hours of community work.

She carries cards with the names of the four women on them and planted four rosebushes on the anniversary of their deaths.

Nicholson had previously pleaded not guilty to culpable driving and was acquitted by a jury. But they were unable to reach a decision on dangerous driving charges.

Ms Middleton, Ms Ely, Mrs Barr and Mrs Jackson, all members of a Hamilton bootscooting club, were on their way home from a weekend of line dancing in St Arnaud.

Between them, the women have 11 children, 15 grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

Mrs Barr and Mrs Jackson are also survived by their husbands.

Evidence from their families painted a "picture of four women who lived fine lives, contributing in a lasting way to their families and their communities", Judge Bourke said.

Mrs Jackson's husband Garry said he lost the love of his life, "my everything".

Ms Middleton's daughter Annette Finnegan said the pain of knowing she would never hug or tell her mother she loved her again would torture her forever.

Ms Middleton's brother Neville Ballinger said the family were bitterly disappointed with the sentence.

"Emotions got mixed up with cold hard facts.... Nicholson was wholly responsible for four deaths," he said.

Nicholson had been on her way home from visiting her mother in hospital.

Analysis of her car showed she slowed from 94km/h to 89km/h in the seconds before the crash.

She was in an 80km/h zone and went through a stop sign.

Judge Bourke said Nicholson, once a teacher, had been very active in charity and community work thoughout her life, and was "self-punishing" after the crash.

Nicholson was placed on a four-year community corrections order and has been banned from driving for eight years.

Australian Associated Press