Brooke said she was happy to receive the accolade, while her mother, Sharon Muller, said the announcement had come as a “massive shock.”

“She was up against some pretty talented sportspeople,” Mrs Muller said.

Brooke said her favourite part of her chosen sporting field, physical culture, was the dancing aspect.

The school holidays were a tough time for her, six-year-old Brooke said, because she quickly grew bored while the physical culture classes were not being held over the break.

Mrs Muller said the large Sportsperson of the Year trophy would go on the display wall just as soon as they had made a bit of room.

Brooke took home five places at the local Moree club championships held in December.

She looked forward to returning to her sport when classes started up again, soon after school goes back in February.

Moree Champion sports journalist Emma Brown, who presented the award, said Brooke embodied great qualities in a sportsperson even at such a young age.

“She has confidence, commitment, graciousness, and good sportsmanship,” Brown said.

Brooke qualified to enter the national championships last year at the age of five, although she was not allowed to compete until she turned six-years-old at the end of 2009 due to age restrictions.

Brooke came 18th in her age division at the national championships in November, placing her in the top 20 Australia-wide.

Brooke’s award was announced in the last 2009 edition of the Moree Champion on December 22.