With 2019 now upon us, Tasmanians have reflected on the year that was and looked forward to what’s to come in the new year.
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Albert van Zetten
City of Launceston mayor
Resolution for 2019:
No New Year’s resolution.
Usually for me it’s about personally trying to continue to develop and to see where I can assist people.
Ariarne Titmus
Australian swimmer
Highlight from 2018:
2018 has been my biggest year yet and racing in front of a home crowd at Commonwealth Games this year was a once in a lifetime experience.
My highlight was after becoming world champion for the 200-metre [freestyle], looking up to the stands and fist pumping with my coach Dean Boxall. He won just as much as me and I wouldn’t have wanted to share my milestone moments recently in China with anyone else but him guiding me.
Resolution for 2019:
My new year resolution for swimming is to take everyone in training to another level – I will not get better if I don’t.
But for everyday life, I am going to try to only drink two coffees a day, no more!
Ashley Bird
ArtRage assistant curator
Resolution for 2019:
My New Year's resolution is to travel more and to see more art.
Danny Gibson
City of Launceston deputy mayor
Highlight from 2018:
Showcasing local talent to more than 8,200 patrons in The Sound of Music.
Taking strong steps towards the culmination of a Cultural Strategy for Launceston and Northern Tasmania and being part of a newly elected council.
Resolution for 2019:
Take time to live in the moment.
Greg Ray
Children’s author
Resolution for 2019:
To lose some weight.
Jarrod Linger
Futsal Tasmania Northern development officer
Resolution for 2019:
Probably just get more people involved in futsal as much as they can.
That’s sort of my job, but that’s what I like to do anyway.
Jenny Dodd
TasTAFE chief executive
Highlight from 2018:
Getting to know the committed people of TasTAFE and those in the Tasmanian business community as well as education and government stakeholders.
Another really big highlight in 2018 has been the outstanding success of so many of our students.
Resolution for 2019:
In 2019, I want to build on the positives. I want to encourage more people to see TasTAFE as giving them critical skills at different times in their career.
We also need to work with industry to find the solutions they need for training.
I want to mix work with pleasure by continuing to explore more of our beautiful island.
Lewis Lennon
Year 12 Launceston College art student
Resolution for 2019:
I want to dedicate myself to getting more complex drawings done and more time consuming works done, striving for works between 100 and 300 hours.
Lorraine Hamilton
Launceston RSPCA Animal Care Centre manager
Resolution for 2019:
I don’t make them because I wouldn’t keep it anyway.
Maree Tetlow
Northern Tasmania Development Corporation chief executive
Highlight from 2018:
The increased level of cooperation and unity between the regional stakeholders, including councils, in the region.
This has meant better outcomes and ability to agree on what challenges to address and agreement on how the challenges should be tackled.
Resolution for 2019:
Mine is about recharging and being ready for another big year, so that I can come back with renewed energy and confidence.
Michael Ferguson
Bass Liberal MP
Highlight from 2018:
I feel very grateful, actually, because I have had a fantastic vote at the election and I think my community have backed me again and I am very grateful for that. I never take it for granted and I think that is a reward for four years of pretty tough work in the health portfolio.
I am also very grateful the Premier has asked me to do some more work in police, fire and emergency management. I find it so rewarding and I love my job and I feel very grateful for it.
So going into 2019, I really want to just continue to give to the community in the role that I have been asked to serve in and do a good job, because I know that people’s lives depend on it.
It is so important and I take it so seriously.
Resolution for 2019:
I think for me the resolution can only be about getting my work life and my family life balance - maintaining it as healthy as I can, in terms of where I spend my time in the North or south of the state.
To make sure I do a good job at work and I do a good job at home, supporting Julie and our growing [older] family.
My new year’s resolution is to get better at doing that.
Michael Stretton
City of Launceston general manager
Highlight from 2018: I would say my highlight of 2018 was the Big Bash – seeing that under lights at UTAS Stadium.
It was just an exciting night for Launceston and great to be a part of.
Resolution for 2019: I don’t do resolutions.
Neil Grose
Launceston Chamber of Commerce chief executive
Highlight for 2018:
The Chamber’s Business Excellence Awards, where we saw some amazing Northern businesses recognised for their outstanding work.
Resolution for 2019:
The same every year: always try to make someone else’s life better than my own.
Rita Blazely
Celebrated 100th birthday on December 18
Resolution for 2019:
Always have a good drink of an evening. White wine, of course.
Steve Henty
Cityprom executive director
Highlight for 2018:
Focusing on the positive stories in Launceston’s CBD and leveraging off that strength that we have as a community and setting up a draft strategic plan, which will go out to members early in the New Year.
It’s been great to be working with a group of people who are passionate about the CBD.
Resolution for 2019:
I tend to be a longer-term planner than New Year’s resolutions, but we have a bunch of strategies that we’ve been developing, such as our Vibe! Program, which has almost doubled the amount of activity we’ve had in the city through projects like Kingsway and expanding the Night Markets from four to 10. That will be rolled out formally in early 2019.
Tabitha Walters
Moved from Melbourne, adopted dog on last day of Launceston RSPCA
Resolution for 2019:
Just to get life on track, to settle down and to give back, which is what I’m doing by adopting him [American Bulldog called Maximus].
I’ve been given chances in life, and he’s about to get his.
Will Hodgman
Tasmanian Premier
Highlight from 2018:
Leading a team into a second election that received the strong support of Tasmanians.
Resolution for 2019:
Personally to be a good husband and a good dad and to be a good member of our parliament and Premier.
And as Premier would be to make sure that all Tasmanians do feel the benefits of a strong economy.
Look after myself, stay healthy.