At just 26, Billie Joe collapsed and died last Wednesday at her home in Geelong.

The Australian Athletic Confederation female sprinter of the year was a regular at Stawell, competing in the Lorraine Donnan Handicap and many other events over the Easter weekend.

She not only won the hearts of Stawell Gift followers with her outstanding running abilities, but was also a favourite in the fashion stakes. Billie Jo was a popular winner in the Fashions on the Field competition at the 2007 Stawell Gift.

While competing at Stawell, Billie Jo would stay with a family close to Central Park, which was an ideal location for her to train regularly.

In 2007, Billie Jo was also named the Victorian Athletic League's female athlete of the year. That was when she met her fiance, Marg Hignett, who ran second in a Stawell Gift.

Hignett found Billie Jo collapsed at their home and efforts to revive her were to no avail. They were due to be married in May next year.