The Hills Shire Council is proud to announce the appointment of Advika Kapoor and Rihanna Soundranayagam as the Youth Ambassadors for the 2025-2026 term under the Sydney Hills Youth Ambassador Program. The announcement was made by Mayor Dr. Michelle Byrne at a special ceremony held at the Council office.
“On behalf of Council, I’d like to congratulate Advika and Rihanna on being selected Youth Ambassadors for The Hills, securing the positions in a competitive process against many other impressive applications,” Mayor Byrne said.
“They have both put forward a vision to better engage youth in The Hills Shire and I look forward to working with them to help us achieve that.
“They will take over from our outgoing Youth Ambassadors, Krish and Shivani, who did a terrific job representing young people at Council events and advocating for youth perspectives and opportunities.”
Advika and Rihanna are tasked with developing a project aimed at enhancing experiences for young individuals in the community during their one-year tenure. Their responsibilities will also include attending Council meetings and community events, collaborating with the youth volunteer group, The Hills Youth Army, and serving as advocates for the youth in the region.
Two Youth Leaders Making a Difference
Advika Kapoor and Rihanna Soundranayagam are two remarkable young leaders making a significant impact in their communities. Advika is a multi-talented individual with a passion for youth empowerment and mental health advocacy. A leader in the Australian Navy Cadets and an accomplished peer support leader, she was a Top 10 finalist in the Macquarie Ideas Challenge and Pitch for Purpose. In addition to her involvement in public speaking and musicals, she plays and umpires netball, volunteers for Letters of Hope, and aspires to publish her own book. Her key priorities are to promote diversity through youth-led storytelling, amplify youth voices, and address mental health matters.
Rihanna is dedicated to fostering inclusive environments and increasing youth engagement in volunteering. She has spent two years as the Social Media Youth Officer for Hills Youth Army and serves as the Director and Social Media Marketing Manager for Hills Outreach Volunteering. Her work focuses on empowering young people to express themselves and expanding local activities to promote inclusivity among her peers.
For further information regarding the Youth Ambassador Program, please visit the Council’s official website.
