McCullough served as ISMWSF head from 1996 to 2001 prior to the amalgamation of the International Organisation for Amputee Sports and the International Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair Sports Federation, forming the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS).

He also served the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) executive between 1996 and 2002 and was a director of the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games Organising Committee.

IPC President Sir Philip Craven led the tributes to McCullough, who died on Monday, saying: "I am deeply saddened to hear of Bob’s passing and my thoughts and sympathies go out to his wife Yvonne and daughter Julie-Ann, as well as his friends and family at this difficult time.

"Bob made a significant impact on the Paralympic Movement and this was rightly recognised in 2002 when he received the Paralympic Order, the highest accolade anyone in the Movement can receive.

"He did much to strengthen Paralympic sport around the world, in-particular in Australia, and he will be sorely missed by all those that knew him."

As well as his work in the promotion of sport for athletes with impairments through his international involvement with IWAS, McCullough also held many roles in his home nation of Australia including with the country’s Paralympic Committee.

In recognition of his service to sport and the Paralympic Movement, he received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 1996.

"When Bob was elected President in 1996, he brought fresh thinking to the organisation with a focus on how ISMWSF could best serve its members and the interests of the athletes," IWAS honorary treasurer Bob Paterson said.

"Being based in Australia, he was in a unique position to forge strong relationships and engage new like-minded groups with the work of IWAS.

"He challenged many 'traditional' ways of doing things and made the organisation review carefully the way things were done moving forward

"He was a strong character and certainly left his mark on the organisation after six years as President."

In October 2015, McCullough was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in recognition of his work in Paralympic sport