The decision followed claims that O'Callaghan had tried to change the constitution of the governing body so he could stay on the Paralympics Australia Board when his nine-term term ended next year.

It was reported that O’Callaghan had lobbied Paralympics Australia Board of Directors and the Australian Sports Commission to support his plan but when it failed it was decided to dismiss him.

O’Callaghan, President of Paralympics Australia since 2018, will be allowed to continue to serve on the Board until his maximum term ends next year.

Creagh becomes the eighth President since Paralympics Australia was established in 1990 and the third female President.

She follows Sallyanne Atkinson, the former Lord Mayor of Brisbane, who held the post for a brief period in 1992, and Marie Little, who served from 1996 to 1997.

Australia is the sixth most successful country in the history of the Paralympics having won a total of 1,240 medals, including 401 gold, since the first Games at Rome in 1960.

Australia’s most successful Paralympics was when they hosted the 2000 Games in Sydney and finished top of the medals table.

They won a total of 149 medals, 63 of them gold.

At the re-arranged 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Australia finished eighth overall with 80 medals, including 21 gold - their lowest total since Arnhem 1980.

"I am humbled and excited to lead this wonderful organisation which plays such a critical role to develop the Para-sport community and to enable Australia’s Paralympic teams to excel against the world’s best," Creagh said.

"With the ongoing support of our amazing community of athletes, coaches, sports administrators, leaders and our valued partners, I’m looking forward to what we can achieve during my tenure."

Creagh joined the Paralympics Australia Board in July last year and was elected vice-president in March alongside Grant Mizens.

Mizens, a member of the Australian Paralympic wheelchair basketball team that won the gold medal at Beijing 2008 and silver at Athens 2004 and London 2012, will continue in the vice-president role.

Creagh was one of the most senior female officers in the Australian Defence Force when she retired in 2015 after a 30-year career.

She has served as a Board member of Rowing Australia and is an accredited national and international Para-rowing classifier.

Creagh is a Member of the Order of Australia and been awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross and the NATO Meritorious Service Medal for her service abroad.

Creagh led tributes for O’Callaghan following his lengthy service and commitment to Paralympians and the disability sporting community.

"Jock has led the organisation during a time of significant reform of the Australian sporting landscape and the successful awarding of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games," she said.

"We thank Jock for his service and for his significant contribution during his five years as President and eight years on the Board."

In addition to O’Callaghan and Mizens, Creagh serves on the Paralympics Australia Board with Australia judge Tim Carmody, former chair of National Rugby League club Gold Coast Titans Rebecca Frizelle, ex-News International chief executive John Hartigan and former Queensland Government Minister Kate Jones.