Jonkers, a 27-year-old  three-time Paralympian who won the silver medal at the Beijing 2008 Paralympics for the 150 metres individual medley and two bronze medals at the Athens 2004 Paralympics, says she hopes the grants, which assist with equipment, training and competition costs, will help the athletes in their quests to become Paralympians.

She said: "All the recipients are very talented athletes, who have demonstrated a commitment to training and have achieved remarkable success in their sporting careers so far.

"This grant will allow them to focus on training and competing as they work towards their goal of competing at the London 2012 Paralympic Games".

The athletes compete in a wide range of sports including swimming, athletics, Paralympic 7-a-side football, wheelchair rugby, cycling, handcycling and wheelchair basketball.

Jonkers, who became a paraplegic in a car accident at eight months, founded Sporting Dreams in 2008, a Foundation which aims to help athletes with disabilities to achieve fun, fitness and personal development through sport and to support future champions.

She said: "Athletes with disabilities are also great role models, encouraging all Queenslanders to live a fit and healthy lifestyle."

The foundation provides two levels of grants to Queensland-based athletes with physical disabilities.

Introductory level grants of $250 (£142) assist athletes to take up a sport and development grants of $500 (£285) are to assist established athletes with training and competition costs.

The ceremony was held at the University of the Sunshine Coast, where Jonkers studied for her two degrees in Journalism and Community Work.

The three-time Paralympian is training for the London 2012 Paralympics and the 2010 IPC World Swimming Championships in Eindhoven.