She shook hands with some, embraced others. Then she saw her mum and cried.
An hour or so earlier, the 27-year-old Gore woman had performed the Tami Neilson song Cigarette, and during her performance, her unborn child (she is six months pregnant) kicked several times.
Despite the distraction, she delivered a smouldering rendition which also won the female vocal solo section of the senior finals.
Coupled with Mrs van der Linden's winning effort in the gospel section, the performance sealed the nine-strong judging panel's decision and earned her the Gold Guitar Trophy and a prize package including $3500 cash, up to $1000 to attend the Tamworth Country Music Festival in Australia in January, a $2500 guitar and $1200 worth of studio time to record a three-song demo.
Mrs van der Linden contested her first Gold Guitar event at the age of 13; an intermediate section finalist in her late teens, she hadn't finished among the placegetters.
In fact, the main reason the part-time music teacher and married mother of one toddler entered this year's awards was to encourage her private students to perform.
"Basically, I had no expectations for myself. It was purely so my students could see me singing."
The 1998 Gore A&P Show Princess and 1999 Gold Guitar Queen, Mrs van der Linden credits Peter Cairns, the 1984 Gold Guitar winner and father of last year's intermediate winner, Taylor Cairns (who now performs in the duo The Heartleys) as the key to her success.
"He encouraged me to keep moving to the next step. I think there are very few people who are just blessed with a voice that comes from nowhere.
"If I ever listen to archive tapes of auditions, I was a very scared little bunny, standing in one spot, singing out of tune. But you have to start somewhere."
"Growing up, the Gore Country Music Club was the most accessible way to be involved in music. It happens to be in the country genre, which I've learned to love a lot, especially modern country. I suppose it was just about having the opportunity to sing."
Mrs van der Linden also acknowledged the wider implications of her win. Success was best shared, she believed. Hence the big hug with her mum.
"It is wonderful. My dad passed away a few years ago and it's good to keep moving forward," Mrs van der Linden reflected, before pausing, her voice suddenly not as strong as it was on the stage.
"I told him I'd do it and I have done it. I don't think even he could have dreamed that singing was going to be what I'd do, but it has become a passion of mine."
