Ross was honoured with the Chairperson's Medal at the South West Sports Assembly's 2008 Sports Star Awards presentation in Warrnambool.

The 27-year-old Warrnambool rower, now based in Penrith, became the sixth woman to claim the prestigious honour in the nine years the medal has been presented.

Previous recipients include basketballer Nicole Hunt, netballer Sarah Wall, footballer Jonathan Brown, table tennis player Melissa Tapper, cyclist Michelle Ferris, swimmer Tay Zimmer, golfer Marc Leishman and downhill skiier Cameron Rahles-Rahbula.

The award recognises athletes who develop as juniors in the region but are no longer residents of the south-west due to the pursuit of excellence in their chosen field.

In addition to their sporting achievements the recipients must also fit the criteria of being a good role model.

Work commitments prevented Ross attending the awards ceremony, held at Warrnambool Entertainment Centre, where the medal was presented to her father Alan.

Speaking on her way to training last night, she said it was pleasing to be recognised on the same level as some of the region's best athletes.

"I think Michelle Ferris is a former winner so to be put in that sort of category is amazing," Ross said.

"The local community support I've had is wonderful. I wouldn't be able to do what I do without it."

Ross and double sculls partner John Maclean claimed Australia's first rowing medal at the Beijing Paralympic Games in September.

The Australians stormed home in the 1000-metre trunk and arms final to finish centimetres behind the gold medal combination of Zhou Yangjing and Shan Zilong, of China, in a time of four minutes, 21.58 seconds.

During 2008 Ross also won the fixed seat single sculls and fixed seat mixed double sculls at the NSW championships, fixed seat single sculls and legs, trunk and arms single sculls at the Australian titles and trunk and arms double sculls at the International Adaptive Regatta in Italy. After competing at state and national titles again this year, Ross returned to the International Adaptive Regatta in Italy earlier this month, where she won the singles crown.

It is an event she plans to contest again next year before the world titles in New Zealand. Her long-term goal is the 2012 London Paralympic Games, where she is again targeting the trunk and arms double sculls.

"I think getting silver is making me want to go that one step more," Ross said.