The star rower won the honour for her 2017 achievements and is one of seven finalists for the 2018 award.

Among her achievements last year, Werry won gold medals at the Henley Royal Regatta in England and at the Australian Rowing Championships. She was also named in the Rowing Australia female crew of the year.

While the former Ballarat Clarendon College student enjoyed another standout season, she faces some strong opposition for the award.

Another leading contender appears to be Kathryn Mitchell, who claimed gold in last year’s Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

Mitchell, who was 35 at the time, secured gold with her first throw of the competition – a new Australian, Oceania and Commonwealth Games record of 68.92 metres.

Cyclist Shannon Malseed’s national road race title and selection in the Australian Commonwealth Games team will also have her in contention.

Other finalists include Shaun Findlay (alpine skiing), Zoe Hives (tennis), Kolbe Poole (eight ball) and Sam Rizzo (wheelchair athletics).

Finalists for the 2018 Junior Sportsperson of the Year (Wunhym Trophy) have also been revealed ahead of Wednesday night’s event at the Ballarat Golf Club.

They include: Georgia Amoore (basketball), Nicholas Fidler (athletics), Josh Jolly (BMX/cycling), Alanna Peart (race walking), Jemma Peart (race walking), Sam Rizzo (wheelchair athletics), Harry Sharp (athletics).

“Ballarat sporting performances for 2018 have been outstanding and I congratulate the seven athlete’s in both the junior and senior awards for their selection in the final lists,” Ballarat Sportsmen’s Club president Barry Packham said.

“These awards are a recognition of excellence and we applaud the efforts of all those in our community who have taken an active hand in sport, as competitors, enablers and those who simply enjoy the thrill of participation.”

The awards night, which is hosted by the Ballarat Sportsmen’s Club, is a sell-out with over 300 attendees booked to attend.

AFL/VFL great Leigh Matthews is guest speaker on the night, when a range of other awards will be presented.

.

1960 Neil Titheridge (Golf)

1961 Jim Gull (Football)

1962 Lyn Gilbert (Table Tennis)

1963 Bob Wasley (Rifle Shooting)

1964 Ray Bilney (Cycling)

1965 Ray Bilney (Cycling)

1966 Tony Benson (Athletics)

1967 Lyn Gilbert (Table Tennis)

1968 Doug Armstrong (Cycling)

1969 Doug Armstrong (Cycling)

1970 Tony Benson (Athletics)

1971 Tony Benson (Athletics)

1972 Tony Benson (Athletics)

1973 Lorna Lucas (Bowls)

1974 Graham Crouch (Athletics)

1975 Graham Crouch (Athletics)

1976 Barry Packham (Karate)

1977 Willi Sawall (Athletics)

1978 Willi Sawall (Athletics)

1979 Robyn Gull (Basketball)

1980 John Stekelenburg (Water Skiing)

1981 Ray Rigby (Power Lifting)

1982 Willi Sawall (Athletics)

1983 Ray Rigby (Power Lifting)

1984 Gary Gullock (Rowing)

1985 Barry Packham (Karate)

1986 Stephen Moneghetti (Athletics)

1987 Tony Lockett (Football)

1988 Stephen Moneghetti (Athletics)

1989 Stephen Moneghetti (Athletics)

1990 Stephen Moneghetti (Athletics)

1991 Russell Mark (Trap Shooting)

1992 Russell Mark (Trap Shooting)

1993 Stephen Moneghetti (Athletics)

1994 Stephen Moneghetti (Athletics)

1995 Russell Mark (Trap Shooting)

1996 Russell Mark (Trap Shooting)

1997 Russell Mark (Trap Shooting)

1998 Russell Mark (Trap Shooting)

1999 Peter Blackburn (Badminton)

2000 Jodi Willis-Roberts (Shot Put & Discus)

2001 Emily Martin (Rowing)

2002 Stuart Brehaut (Badminton)

2003 Stuart Brehaut (Badminton)

2004 Anthony Edwards (Rowing) & Allison Tranquilli (Basketball)

2005 Emily Martin (Rowing)

2006 Shayne Reese (Swimming)

2007 Shayne Reese (Swimming)

2008 Jared Tallent (Athletics)

2009 James Marburg (Rowing)

2010 Jared Tallent (Athletics)

2011 Jared Tallent (Athletics)

2012 Jared Tallent (Athletics) & Greg Smith (Wheelchair Rugby)

2013 Jared Tallent (Athletics)

2014 Collis Birmingham (Athletics)

2015 Michelle Payne (Horse Racing)

2016 Jared Tallent (Athletics)

2017 Katrina Werry (Rowing)