Hilton, a multi-sport athlete, was Australia's first ever female medallist at the Paralympics, winning six medals at the first Games in Rome in 1960.

She was also the only female among the 12 Australians competing in Rome.

Hilton presented the medals to APC President Greg Hartung (pictured below) during a special ceremony at the National Library of Australia in Canberra.

The 78-year-old also gave team blazers from Rome 1960, Tokyo 1964 and Tel Aviv 1968 Paralympics to the collection, and Hartung expressed how proud they were to have been given the memorabilia.

"The APC is committed to preserving the proud history of the Australian Paralympic movement, and recognising the achievements of those who have made significant contributions," Hartung said.

"We are extremely proud to accept Daphne's donation today, and do so with a promise to manage and protect it.


"Daphne was a pioneer of the Australian Paralympic Movement and holds a special place in Australian sport.

"She was, and remains, one of our greatest ever athletes and her achievements live on."

Hilton won three gold, five silver and six bronze medals over the three Games she competed at, remarkably doing so in five different sports; archery, athletics, fencing, swimming and table tennis.

She is the fifth highest on the list of Australian Paralympic medal winners of all time.

Hilton came out of retirement in the 1990s to compete in lawn bowls as she aimed for selection in the Sydney 2000 team, but the sport was taken off the Paralympic programme following Atlanta 1996.

She went on to win silver and bronze at the 2002 World Wheelchair Games, before retiring for the second time.

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