Hard work, determination and a good dose of fresh country air.

They are some of the factors key to Olympic success for two female athletes from a humble regional Victorian town, according to residents cheering them on from home.

Newly minted Olympic medallists Grace Brown and Penny Smith both came from Camperdown, a small town in the heart of dairy farming country about two hours' drive west from Melbourne.

Brown rode to victory in the women's cycling time trial, winning Australia's first gold medal at this year's games, while Smith collected a bronze medal in the trap shooting event on Thursday night.

The wins meant the town, with a small population of just over 3,800, had won more medals than some countries with millions of people.

It sat about 23rd on the medal table, alongside Croatia, Guatemala, Uzbekistan, and ahead of Argentina, Ecuador, and Brazil. 

'Having a go' in DNA

Camperdown resident Ruth Gstrein was among those who stayed up late to watch the women compete.

She said it was surreal to see them under the spotlight on the world stage.

"When I was watching Grace Brown racing in Paris the other night, I was thinking about how I've known this wonderful cyclist since she was a baby. 

"It was quite incredible."

In classic country-town style where everyone knew everyone, the Corangamite Shire councillor also knew Smith having served on the local council alongside her grandfather Geoff Smith for more than a decade.

While Smith lived in Bookaar on a dairy farm with her parents, slightly north of Camperdown, Ms Gstrein said the town claimed her as its own.

"It's been an awful lot of hard work and determination for these ladies," she said.

Corangamite Shire Mayor Kate Makin said the whole town was rapt with the women's sporting success.

Her message to other countries who were behind Camperdown in the medal tally was tongue in cheek.

"Firstly, commiserations — it is hard to compete with perfection," she joked.

"We love our sport and we get behind everyone who wants to have a go. Having a go and being active is in our DNA."

Ms Makin said the town had celebrated the Olympic achievements by lighting up the town's clock tower in green and gold.

There was talk of a town celebration to welcome the Olympians home from Paris, including giving the women the Key to the City.

"Our entire community is so very proud of their accomplishments and so excited to welcome them back," she said.

'Heart was in your mouth'

Colac Gun Club member Amanda Holt said she also stayed up late to see Smith, who honed her skills at the club, shoot for the stars in a "nerve wrecking watch".

She said the whole club tuned in, with the number of anxious text messages exchanged throughout the round.

"We were up on the edge of our seats and holding our breath, cheering her on ... to come away with a bronze medal is just spectacular," she told ABC Radio South West Victoria.

Ms Holt said her friend had followed in her brother's footsteps to take up trap shooting.

"Penny is from the south-west [of Victoria] and just proves you don't have to be from one of these big cities to perform well on the international stage," she said.

Grace Brown's mother, Ruth Stewart, told ABC Radio Melbourne the wet and rainy conditions had made the winning race all the more scary for her supporters.

She said the family was able to sit in a section overlooking the podium and watched her receive the gold medal.

"That was very exciting and just wonderful," she said.

Brown is next due to compete in the women's road race at the 2024 Paris Olympics.