With seeing eye dog Esme by her side and three-month-old baby Killian with her partner in the audience, Para-athlete Kyra Domrow celebrated her latest achievement at a USC graduation ceremony this week.

The 23-year-old national shotput and discus champion officially received her Bachelor of Social Work, a four-year degree that she hopes will launch a career to help stop domestic violence.

“Social work has offered me a unique perspective on society and allowed me to really appreciate the diversity here in Australia,” Kyra said. “To be able to graduate with this particular degree now during a time where social workers are desperately needed is truly an honour.

“And I believe that an area we’re needed in is family and domestic violence – it’s a dark part of our nation that we love to talk about but not really act on – and I want to be a part of that change.”

 Kyra, of Sippy Downs, was pleased to have Esme cross the stage with her to receive the degree from Deputy Chancellor Scott Williams, in front of a big crowd at USC Stadium on Wednesday 29 September.

“She crossed the stage because she did the degree too,” said the Bowen State High School graduate who trains with Ipswich and District Athletics Club.

Kyra, a USC High Performance Student Athlete who has a genetic vision impairment, said the past year had been eventful, with her Paralympics dreams put temporarily on hold while she welcomed motherhood.

“But I finished my degree a day before I went into labour, which was incredible,” she said.

While studying, Kyra was awarded USC’s $20,000 June Canavan Para-athlete Sport Scholarship to help her pursue her sporting and academic goals.