Sally Pearson's resilience was recognised on Thursday night when she was crowned the most inspirational Australian athlete of the past 12 months.

Pearson claimed her second 'The Don' award at the 30th Sports Australia Hall of Fame dinner in Melbourne, a coveted prize named in honour of the organisation's inaugural inductee Sir Donald Bradman.

The hurdler edged a talented shortlist of sport stars that included Formula One driver Daniel Ricciardo, tennis tyro Nick Kyrgios and fearsome fast bowler Mitchell Johnson.

Tennis legend John Newcombe was also named the 36th Legend of Australian sport, after a career that included seven grand slam singles titles and a record 17 doubles titles.

In 2012 it was Pearson's gold medal at the London Olympics that led to her winning The Don.

This year it was all about the metaphorical obstacles the 28-year-old cleared to defend her Commonwealth Games 100m hurdles title in Glasgow.

Pearson recovered from a recurring hamstring injury to compete in Glasgow, then withstood withering criticism from Australia's athletics coach Eric Hollingsworth on the eve of her event.

"The measure of a champion is not how they deal with success, but how they deal with adversity," selection committee chair Robert de Castella said of Pearson.

"She overcame not just the other competition, battling injury and a less than ideal preparation.

"The way she rose to overcome the high-profile clash from within the sport tested her both physically and emotionally."

De Castella went on to praise Pearson's "incredible strength, professionalism and character".

Pearson became only the second athlete to win The Don for a second time, joining Beijing Olympics golden boy Steve Hooker (2008 and 2009).

Meanwhile, sports scientist Dick Telford, swimming coach Dennis Cotterell and six athletes were inducted into the Hall of Fame.

The beach volleyball duo of Natalie Cook and Kerri Pottharst, swimmer Jodie Henry, triathlete Michellie Jones, alpine skier Michael Milton and Test captain turned cricket commentator Bill Lawry were also inducted at Crown Palladium.

Tributes were paid to Australia's 1999 world champion netball team and 1965 world champion softball team.

AAP