Group photo from L to R: Mayor of The Hills Shire Dr Peter Gangemi, 2023-24 Youth Ambassador Deanna Stevens, 2024-2025 Youth Ambassador Krish Nair, 2023-24 Youth Ambassador Eva Pulvirenti and Councillor Jessica Brazier.
Krish Nair and Shivani Sundaranathan have been appointed as the 2024-2025 Hills Shire Youth Ambassadors.
The announcement was made by the Mayor of The Hills Shire, Dr Peter Gangemi during a ceremony held at The Hills Shire Council Chambers on Friday 19 April. Mayor Gangemi, himself a former Youth Ambassador, congratulated Krish and Shivani on their unwavering commitment to building community spirit.
"I would like to congratulate Krish and Shivani on being named as The Hills Shire Youth Ambassadors for 2024-2025," Mayor Gangemi said. "Their efforts and commitment towards enhancing the community's well-being have not gone unnoticed, and their contributions have been highly appreciated.
"Krish and Shivani have demonstrated their capabilities, and it is time to build on their experience to ensure that the young people of The Hills have a voice in shaping their future."
Krish and Shivani will play important roles in various community engagements within the Local Government Area and attend Council functions as Youth Ambassadors. They will also guide The Hills Youth Army, Council's volunteer youth group.
Their new responsibilities include promoting youth initiatives within schools and the community, advocating for events like Youth Week celebrations and offering insights on committees throughout their ambassadorship.
Councillor Jessica Brazier, also a former Youth Ambassador, extended her congratulations to Krish and Shivani while acknowledging the outstanding contributions of the outgoing ambassadors, Eva Pulvirenti and Deanna Stevens, from the 2023-2024 term.
"Eva and Deanna have achieved so much in their time as Youth Ambassadors and have served the community with distinction," Clr Brazier said.
"They have contributed greatly by volunteering at many of Council's events, including Australia Day, Lantern Festival, Clean Up Australia Day and more, and by speaking about how we can further communicate and provide opportunities for our young residents.
"Krish and Shivani will carry on the great work started by Eva and Deanna with dedication and passion, maintaining their legacy and taking it to new heights."
Meet our Hills Shire Youth Ambassadors
Krish Nair: A student at Macquarie University and the former 2023 Youth MP for Castle Hill, Krish is deeply committed to fostering community cohesion through diverse cultural events and enhancing educational opportunities for students. As a Youth Ambassador, Krish aims to bridge the gap between young people and Council, advocating for their needs and aspirations.
Shivani Sundaranathan: An active member of her school's Student Representative Council, Shivani is a fervent advocate for diverse youth voices and social justice. As a Youth Ambassador, Shivani endeavours to amplify youth perspectives, foster inclusivity, and ensure that all voices in The Hills Shire are heard and valued.
