There’s something quietly reassuring about watching a community program hand the reins to its young people year after year, and The Hills Shire’s Youth Ambassador initiative has done exactly that once again, welcoming Amber Muszynski and Elizabeth McDonagh into the role for 2026-27.
The pair take over from Advika Kapoor and Rihanna Soundranayagam, whose year representing local youth was defined by hands-on involvement in Council initiatives, opportunities to work alongside Council staff and community leaders, and a genuine sense of contributing to positive change across the Shire.
Both outgoing ambassadors found particular meaning in connecting with other passionate young people and broadening their own understanding of the different viewpoints held across the community, experiences that will no doubt shape whatever paths they take next.
Stepping into the role now is Amber Muszynski, a familiar voice to many through her hosting duties on Youth Vision, a program on Alive 90.5FM dedicated to the issues shaping young people’s lives. Beyond the microphone, Amber has built a track record of community-minded action at Muirfield High School, where she holds a School Leader position and has helped drive the Blankets and Beanie Appeal for people doing it tough, the Hills Relay for Life fundraiser for cancer services, and various events tied to her Polish community.
Her commitment to academic excellence hasn’t gone unnoticed either, earning her the Senior Scholar Award. Looking ahead, Amber wants to bring financial literacy to her peers through a straightforward, practical workshop covering budgeting, saving and investing, skills she believes too few young people get the chance to learn early.
Joining her is Elizabeth McDonagh, whose leadership credentials read like a snapshot of a genuinely well-rounded teenager: captain of her Year 11 debating team, a participant in the Duke of Edinburgh Award program, a buddy reading volunteer, a representative softball player, and a regular at chess club, all while finding time for community service. Her vision for the ambassador role centres on connection.
Elizabeth’s proposed Youth Connect Week would bring free workshops, sport, wellbeing activities and leadership opportunities to young people across the Shire, with the underlying aim of helping them feel more socially supported and less isolated.
Mayor of The Hills Shire, Dr Michelle Byrne, has welcomed both young women into the role with genuine warmth, highlighting the leadership experience they each bring from their school communities and expressing real interest in the perspectives they’ll offer over the coming year. She also took a moment to thank Advika and Rihanna for their contributions, wishing them well as they move forward into new chapters.
With one ambassador focused on equipping young people financially and the other on bringing them closer together socially, The Hills Shire‘s youth now have two strong, distinct voices working on their behalf for the year ahead.