Jenny Mitchell (18), of Gore, won the senior section with her self-penned song So Far.
It was her first time competing in the senior section, having won the intermediate section last year.
On stage, she said winning the ultimate gold guitar had always been a dream of hers.
She could not remember a time in her life when she did not want it.
``It's ingrained in me. It's in my blood,'' she said.
It was exciting to have won, she said.
She thanked her family for their support and help over the years.
Miss Mitchell will have the opportunity to go on a songwriting retreat and develop her skills as well as record and release a single with an accompanying music video.
``It's very cool.''
She also won the singer-songwriter, female vocal, gospel and New Zealand song categories at the awards ceremony.
Results.-
Senior
Overall winner: Jenny Mitchell, Gore; overall runner-up: Flora and Sean, Dunedin; female vocal: Jenny Mitchell, Gore; male vocal: Arun O'Connor, Invercargill; open singer-songwriter: Jenny Mitchell, Gore; open group: Valley Bluegrass, Dunedin; duet: Arun O'Connor and Jenny Harraway, Invercargill; instrumental: Nick Brightwell, Auckland; open yodelling: Dave Hathaway, Kurow; traditional: Flora and Sean, Dunedin; NZ song: Jenny Mitchell, Gore; country rock: Jaydin Shingleton, Kaiapoi; gospel: Jenny Mitchell, Gore; highest-scoring Gore Country Music Club member: Jenny Mitchell.
Junior
Overall winner: Serenity-Grace Nielsen, Dunedin; overall runner-up: Jayden TJ, Dunedin; highest-scoring Gore CMC member: Ailin Pekar; vocal solo: Serenity-Grace Nielson, Dunedin; gospel: Zac Griffith, Nelson Lakes; country rock: Jayden TJ, Dunedin; duet: Abella, Gore.
Intermediate
Overall winner: Mac, Dunedin; overall runner-up: Hazel Blue, Invercargill; highest-scoring Gore CMC member: Brianna Hedley; vocal solo: Maggie Townley, Invercargill; gospel: Bridget Collins, Palmerston; country rock: Hazel Blue, Invercargill; duet: The Two J's, Murchison; instrumental: Jayden TJ, Dunedin; traditional: Zac Griffith, Nelson Lakes; NZ song: Mac, Dunedin.
60+ section
Overall winner: Jean Barkman, Dunedin; highest-scoring Gore CMC member: Ron Gallagher, Owaka; vocal solo: Jean Barkman, Dunedin; gospel: Jean Barkman, Dunedin; traditional: Ron Gallagher, Owaka; NZ song: John Morgan, Mosgiel.
40+ section
Overall winner: Legal Tender, Waikanae; highest-scoring Gore CMC member: Heather Thacker; vocal solo: Lanae Hill, Ashburton; country rock: Carol Shingleton, Westport; gospel: Carol Shingleton, Westport; duet: Legal Tender, Waikanae; NZ song: Legal Tender, Waikanae; traditional: Legal Tender, Waikanae.
