Anderson, who competed at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, and Tahlia Blanshard have been confirmed as the inaugural recipients of the scholarships.

The 23-year-old finished fifth in the F38 shot put and sixth in the F57 discus at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio, and has also represented Australia in international Para Alpine skiing events.

She is hoping to compete at both the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, postponed until 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic, and the Winter Paralympics in Beijing in 2022.

Para swimmer Blanshard is also on track to secure a spot at Tokyo 2020.

Both athletes - presented with their scholarships by Liesl Tesch, a Member of Parliament who has won two Paralympic gold medals in sailing and three medals in wheelchair basketball, and David Booth - have been given AUD$10,000 (£5,530/$6,900/€6,130).

"Tahlia and Rae were both such outstanding applicants that CoastAbility felt very strongly that we were privileged to be able to support them," said CoastAbility director Gwenda Williamson.

"The programme was intended to be two separate AUD$5,000 (£2,800/$3,450/€3,100) scholarships but when we received Rae and Tahlia’s applications, we made the decision to up the number to two of each and award one of each type of scholarship to the girls."

CoastAbility specialises in providing financial assistance to young people with disabilities and is one of the oldest charities on the Central Coast.