The 20 year-old won the award following top performances at two world championship events.

The Junior Gippstar Award was shared between two talented young girls, Moe basketballer Alex Sheedy and lawn bowler Lisa Phillips of Newborough.

For all three Gippsland champions the awards recognise their ventures and achievements in national and international sport.

About 100 people gathered at the 50th Annual Awards ceremony held at the Waratah Restaurant, to hear what inspires these locals to achieve their best.

``It's such an honour to be in the room with so many high achievers, but more so, that they are Gippslanders,'' Gippsland Academy of Sport chief executive Judi Buhagiar said.

``A Gippstar Award is very prestigious and has been supported by the Gippsland community for the past 50 years.''

Siinmaa finished fourth in the 17 to 24 year men's category and sixth in the 17 to 24 year cruiser class at the world championships.

Siinmaa's inspiration is his father, Greg, an active over 50s BMX racer who was also a contender for the 50th Annual Gippstar Award.

The Junior Gippstar Award winners share a great deal in common as they have been selected to represent Australia in their respective sports.

Alex is lining up with the Australian Gems under-19 basketball team and Lisa will take her place with Australia in Lawn Bowls at the Youth Commonwealth Games next year being held at the Isle of Man.

Also acknowledged at the awards for their contribution to sport were John Bryant (motorsports), Cyril Metcalf (football), Jenny Mills (netball) and Howard Williams (volleyball).

They were recipients of the Gippstar Special Achiever Awards.

The Gippstar Awards recognises senior and junior Gippsland athletes and will this year celebrate its 50th anniversary at the Turfside Function Centre later this year.

For more information contact the Gippsland Sports Academy on 51270223.

Nomination information for the Gippstar Awards is available from the Gippsland Sports Academy's website, www.sportgippsland.org.au