Michelle Hillier | Founder & Host
Michelle is the founder and host of Building Stronger Communities, created from a simple belief: everyone has a place and every story matters.
With more than 40 years’ experience in leadership, community services and mental health and wellbeing, Michelle is passionate about bringing generations together, giving young people a voice, and creating conversations that help people feel more connected to their community.
Alongside young contributors Piper and Bethanie, Michelle is building a space where different generations can listen, learn and grow stronger together.
Connect
Building Stronger Communities is a space to slow down and reconnect. Because when people feel connected.…communities don’t just function — they thrive!
Our Program Sponsor for 2026
Building stronger workplaces helps build stronger communities. That’s why Our Minds at Work is proud to sponsor Building Stronger Communities in 2026. Whether you’re looking for support with workplace wellbeing, psychosocial safety, leadership or team development, we’ll help connect you with the right specialist to achieve meaningful outcomes.
- Mental Health Aware
- Mental Health First Aid
- Physical First Aid
- Resilience First Aid
- Psychosocial Hazards
- Psychological Safty
- Mindful Champions
- Difficult Conversations
- Thrive Pathways
Listen Anywhere, Anytime
You can tune into Building Stronger Communities live on SWR 99.9 wherever you are. Download the Community Radio app, search for SWR 99.9 FM
With Luke Evans
Luke Evans is the Founder of Emotive Work and a Resilience First Aid Master Trainer. He helps organisations build resilient people, resilient leaders and resilient workplace cultures through practical, neuroscience-informed approaches to resilience, wellbeing and human connection.
“Through Young Eyes” gives young people a voice in the conversations that shape our communities.
Meet Piper Johnson
Presented by Piper Johnson – Passionate about making a positive difference, Piper encourages listeners of all ages to see issues through a different lens—reminding us that young people are not just the future, they are making valuable contributions today.
This regular Building Stronger Communities segment shares the perspectives, ideas and experiences of young people on topics that matter to them and the wider community. From education and wellbeing to volunteering, community events and the challenges and opportunities facing young Australians, Piper brings a fresh and thoughtful viewpoint to every discussion.
Through Young Eyes reflects Building Stronger Communities’ commitment to creating opportunities for young voices to be heard, respected and included in conversations that help build stronger, more connected communities.
Meet Bethany Jones – Local Sport
Building Stronger Communities is excited to welcome Bethanie Jones as our new Local Sport presenter.
Bethanie is taking the first steps towards a career in journalism and sports media. Passionate about storytelling and community sport, she’ll be bringing listeners weekly stories that celebrate the people, clubs and volunteers who make sport such an important part of life across Western Sydney.
🎙️ Meet Siv, the voice behind the Community Announcements segment on Building Stronger Communities.
Each week, Siv helps connect our listeners with local events, workshops, services and opportunities happening across Western Sydney. From community festivals and family activities to health information and local initiatives, the Community Announcements segment is all about helping people discover what’s happening in their own backyard.
Our Latest Episodes
From Pregnancy to Early Childhood: Looking After the Whole Family
Building Stronger Communities | Saturday 17 October 2026 | SWR 99.9 FM October Mental Health Month Series — Mental Health Starts Before Crisis Strong families don’t happen because everyone gets everything right. They grow through understanding, connection, support and the everyday moments that bring us together. This week on Building Stronger Communities, we explored a…
💚 Beyond Disability: Independence, Inclusion & Belonging
Building Stronger Communities | SWR 99.9 FM 📅 Saturday 10 October 2026🎙️ Hosted by Michelle Hillier📻 Mental Health Month – Week Two 🌏 Looking Beyond Disability What does independence really mean? Is inclusion simply being invited into a space, or is it about feeling genuinely welcomed, respected and valued? This week on Building Stronger Communities,…
Mental Health Starts Before Crisis
Building Stronger Communities | Mental Health Month – 3.10.2026 For the first week of Mental Health Month, Building Stronger Communities started with a simple question: Why do so many of our conversations about mental health begin when someone is already struggling? We have become much better at encouraging people to speak up, check in with…
Conversations that Matter
Building Stronger Communities is more than a radio show — it’s a platform for connection across people, organisations, and local communities.
Whether you’re an individual, local group, or organisation, you can get involved by sharing stories, promoting initiatives, collaborating on community projects, or supporting the program.
Everyone has a place — and every contribution matters.
