From having dinner with Oprah to opening new restaurants and winning gold – this is what they said.

Peter Harrington - restauranteur (Sage Dining Rooms, Akiba)

I see 2016 as a year of infinite possibilities and opportunities for Canberra to continue its emergence as the capital of cool. My partners and I will be playing our part in Canberra's rejuvenation, with an incredible new restaurant and bar in the city due to open in mid-2016.

Jenna Douros – master trainer and Gold's Gym Australia national brand ambassador

I am extremely excited about launching my new website, which will focus on providing motivation and inspiration to help build habits and creative imaginations. I would love to alter how people's minds perceive an empty space, playground or piece of equipment and turn it into their very own fit space. In 2016, I would love to see Canberrans getting creatively active with our gorgeous surroundings to achieve health and fitness goals.

Amber Nichols – singer, songwriter

My New Year's resolution is to be present in every moment. At times I find myself so focused on what is ahead that I miss the beauty in the now. And beauty is all around me.

Anna Flanagan – Hockeyroos player

In 2016 I am hoping to go to my second Olympic games and bring home a gold medal. I would also love to tick some travel off the bucket list and go to New York with my boyfriend.

Carla and Emma Papas – bloggers behind The Merrymaker Sisters

Expanding our business and brand while maintaining balance is our big 2016 goal. We've turned our Merrymaker lifestyle in to a live four-week challenge, "Make Life Merry" where we hope to help over 2000 people this year become the healthiest, happiest versions of themselves – our next challenge starts January 11 with another two planned for 2016.

We're also expanding in to a Merrymaker jewellery and stationery line and have another two books planned to publish 2016. Bring. It. On.

James Souter – restauranteur (The Boat House By The Lake)

I'm looking forward to welcoming our second daughter in 2016, whom our two-year-old, Juliet, has affectionately but rather unoriginally named "baby sister". For The Boat House I'm excited to continue to build upon the excellent feedback from 2015, some of the best we have ever had, and looking to finalise some long running refurbishment plans.

Anita Krikowa – one half of recycled furniture company, boyandgirlco

Whether it's jam, a candle or a piece of furniture, I hope that everyone attempts to create something rather than just buying it this year. I hope to see Canberrans take advantage of nature strip gardening and in the process getting to better know their neighbours. And selfishly, I hope Oprah invites me over to her house for a home cooked meal during which we hug several times.