She doesn't make the millions of dollars like some past graduates and she goes about her business with minimal fuss.

But Powell is the perfect example of why the ACTAS program was created, according to assistant manager Andrew Stainlay.

The 42-year-old disabled cyclist was crowned the ACTAS female athlete of the year at an awards dinner at the Hellenic Club last night.

While Powell was honoured for her superb cycling year, Andrew Kirkpatrick (softball) was named the male athlete of the year and the top 20 athletes in ACTAS's 20-year history were also unveiled.

Matt Giteau, Michael Bevan, Michael Rogers and Carl Valeri were among the list of stars, but Powell was in a class of her own.

Since seriously taking up cycling in 2007 after a spinal injury, Powell has become the Australian time-trial champion and won the gold medal in the LC2-CP4 combined women's time trial at the Paralympic world championships in Italy last month.

''Sue pretty much came out of nowhere,'' Stainlay said.

''We really got in behind her and her quest to be a top cyclist and her meteoric rise up the ranks is just phenomenal.

''She's just one of those athletes that's dedicated and it's fantastic to see that gut feel that the coaches and we had has worked out.

''Sue's nearly at the peak of her game and she's evidence of what spectrum of society ACTAS covers in Canberra.''

For more, pick up a copy of today's Canberra Times