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Sam on the grounds of Parliament. Photo supplied
From a chemistry classroom in Ingham to the floor of Queensland Parliament, Samantha “Sam” Musumeci has taken the Hinchinbrook community’s voice to Youth Parliament.
The Ingham State High School student spent six months working alongside young people from across Queensland before joining 92 other Youth Members for a week of debate at Parliament House.
From writing and passing a Youth Bill to hearing powerful personal stories from fellow regional young people, Sam says the experience has given her lifelong friendships, confidence and a deeper understanding of how young Queenslanders can create change.
By Victoria Velton
Ingham State High School student Samantha (Sam) Musumeci has taken the voice of Hinchinbrook to Queensland Parliament, representing the electorate as part of the 31st YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament.
The six-month program culminated in a Residential Sitting Week at Parliament House in Brisbane from 27th September to 3rd October, where 93 young Queenslanders representing every state electorate debated eight Youth Bills.
“I joined Youth Parliament because I wanted a way to represent my community and to give a voice from Hinchinbrook in Parliament,” Sam said.
“I saw the applications come out and decided to put my name down as the opportunity came at a perfect time for me.”
Finding out she had been selected was a moment Sam said she would not forget.
“When I found out I had been accepted into Youth Parliament it was such an amazing experience,” she said.
“I received the email that I had been accepted while sitting in a chemistry class on a Friday afternoon.”
Far more than a week spent inside Parliament House, the experience spanned six months, Sam attended meetings and worked alongside young people from across Queensland to develop a Youth Bill.
“For six months before attending Residential Sitting Week in Brisbane I was involved in attending many meetings and writing a bill that was passed in Parliament,” she said.
“I worked alongside a committee of other youth across Queensland to write a bill. These people became some amazing lifelong friends.”
Arriving at Parliament House brought the significance of the opportunity into focus.
“Stepping off the bus and being greeted by Parliament House is such a unique experience, as not many people will ever get to experience it in their life,” Sam said.
“Being able to sit in the chamber and speak about personal experiences and on our own bill is an incredible experience.”
“Sitting in the chamber surrounded by other youth members who have so much passion for the program is so amazing to experience, as everyone is there to share their unique voice,” she said.
“Everyone is so open to share personal experience with other youth members or share stories from their town.”
“There were many moving speeches that moved a lot of people to tears.”
Of the eight Youth Bills debated, Sam was particularly interested in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples bill, which proposes greater education about Aboriginal stories, culture, dances and songs, including a mandated day on Country.
“The bill that I found most interesting was the ATSIP bill,” Sam said.
“It is aiming to introduce a new class to school curriculum to educate students on Aboriginal stories and learn dances and songs, with one mandated day out on Country.”
For a student from regional Queensland, Sam's Youth Parliament experience has offered her a glimpse inside the state's political system. It has given her the opportunity to carry her community's perspective into the room and, in her own words, “give a voice from Hinchinbrook in Parliament”.
Photo supplied
Rain couldn’t keep Cassowary Coast anglers away, with hundreds braving the wet to cast a line and help tackle one of the region’s biggest environmental pests.
The 2026 Tilapia Tournament at Warrina Lakes attracted 444 participants across three days, who collectively hauled in an impressive 2,163 invasive tilapia.
With families, visitors and fishing enthusiasts all getting involved, the annual event proved that doing your bit for local waterways can come with plenty of fun, friendly competition and even a few bragging rights.
Rain didn’t dampen the enthusiasm at Warrina Lakes, with hundreds of anglers casting a line for a good cause during Cassowary Coast Regional Council’s 2026 Tilapia Tournament.
Across three days, 444 participants removed an impressive 2,163 tilapia, with local families and visitors joining in the annual event.
Tilapia are highly invasive pest fish that reproduce rapidly, compete with native species for food and habitat and can damage aquatic ecosystems, making their removal important to the health of local waterways.
Councillor Jeff Baines described the weekend as a fantastic community effort.
“It’s the world’s greatest Tilapia Tournament,” Cr Baines said. “It was an outstanding event and a great effort from everyone involved to help us reduce this noxious fish in our waterways and improve the health of our creeks and rivers.”
With 2,163 fewer tilapia in Warrina Lakes, this year’s tournament delivered a result worth celebrating, while generous sponsor prizes rewarded anglers for catches including the most fish and largest tilapia.
Photos supplied: Cassowary Coast Regional Council
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