The 32-year-old joins long distance runner Steve Moneghetti and trap shooter Russell Mark as the equal most recipients of the honour.

His victory on Wednesday night adds to previous wins in 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Tallent was regarded as the city’s best sportsperson of 2016 by a panel of judges from the Ballarat Sportsmen’s Club. He tipped out fellow nominees including his sister Rachel, eight-ball stars Matthew Curwood, Jake McCartney and Kolbe Poole, champion racehorse trainer Darren Weir, javelin star Kathryn Mitchell and table tennis ace Rory Carroll to secure the award.

Tallent, who was not in attendance at Wednesday night’s function at the Ballarat Golf Club, claimed the title won by Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne last year.

A silver medal at the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games headlined Tallent’s achievements in 2016, as did his gold at the IAAF World Race Walking Cup in Italy.

In a whirlwind year for the former Ballarat High School student, he was placed on the Order of Australia and received a retrospective gold medal for his performance in the 50km walk at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

This followed a ruling that Russian Sergey Kirdyapkin, who beat home second-placed Tallent in that race, would be stripped of his victory after testing positive to a banned substance.

Tallent’s success was acknowledged with a special ceremony in Melbourne.

He was then announced as the captain of the Australian athletics team for the Rio Games.

The 2016 Sportsperson of the Year Award was accepted by Tallent’s parents as the crowd was played a video interview with the four-time Olympic medallist.

“It’s a huge honour. To win six Ballarat Sportsperson of the Year Awards is something I’m very proud of,” Tallent said.

“Growing up in Ballarat, I always looked up to the great athletes from the Ballarat region that went on to win these awards.

“To have my name up there six times is incredible.”

Tallent said it is amazing to join level on six awards with Moneghetti and Mark, a pair he grew up watching as a youngster.

WUNHYM TROPHY

Nicholas Fidler’s brilliant season in athletics has earned him the title of Ballarat’s best young sportsperson for 2016.

Fidler took out the Wunhym Trophy, won jointly by BMX star Josh Jolly and sprinter Grace O’Dwyer last year.

The promising long distance runner and Ballarat Grammar student was in brilliant form on both the track and cross country circuits in 2016, with his achievements headlined by victory in the Australian under-16 2000m steeplechase event.

Fidler was adjudged the Wunhym Trophy recipient ahead of fellow nominees Jolly, futsal player Liam Dawson, sprinter Talia Martin and race walker Alanna Peart.

HOLLIOAKE MEDALLION

Ballarat was certainly well known on the international stage of eight-ball during 2016, largely due to the exploits of Matthew Curwood, Jake McCartney and Kolbe Poole.

And for their performances in helping Australia to memorable successes at the world championships, the trio was jointly awarded the Hollioake Medallion on Wednesday night.

This award acknowledges excellence in team sports.

Curwood was part of the Australian junior team that clinched back-to-back world crowns, McCartney played in the successful men’s side and Poole featured in the triumphant women’s outfit.

The world championships were held in Blackpool, England.

Curwood, who also took out the junior singles title, won the Hollioake Medallion in his own right last year.

On that occasion, he was the first person from the sport of eight-ball to receive the honour.

Curwood, McCartney and Poole were all nominated for the 2016 Sportsperson of the Year Award, which was won by Jared Tallent.

MACKENZIE AWARD

Shane Bicknell’s tireless work in athletics has been acknowledged with the Mackenzie Award for the city’s leading sport administrator.

Bicknell’s main involvement in the sport is with the little atletics program, where he is involved both locally and at a regional and state level.

The current president of Little Athletics Ballarat, Bicknell follows in the footsteps of last year’s winner Jeff Clack.

WIDMER AWARD

Respected running coach Nev Down has paid tribute to his stable of athletes that helped him secure the Widmer Award.

In its second year, the award is for a leading coach, mentor or trainer.

“Probably the biggest honour was that I was nominated by the athletes that I coach, which indicates to me that they recognise what I’ve done and it’s a sign of respect as well, which is great,” Down said.