Things can only get better: Canberrans give their verdict on 2022

One couple hopes for a baby; another plans to get married; students hoped for some actual tuition in a lecture room; one man just wanted to be a better person.

"My personal aim is to have a second baby," Shihara Caner said as her husband held the first one, Aurellio, who will turn two on January 11.

COVID had allowed the father, Isik, to work at home during the first two years of their son's life. He felt that was a blessing.

Nicole Harrowfield and Luke Janeczko are hoping to get married in Perth, COVID permitting.

It's pencilled in for June 11. "But we haven't seen the venue yet," she said. One trip they planned was cancelled.

"I haven't put much into hopes and plans," he said.

"Because the last two years have washed them away. For me, it is to take things as they come and not have expectations - you can get disappointed that way - so when something does happen, it's all the more exciting."

Sasika Price and Sophia Cooper are students at the ANU who have been denied the full student experience - both the scholarly and social - for the first two years of their degrees, so they hope that will change for the third year.

"My hope is that we will be able to see live music without worrying if the gig is going to be cancelled," Sasika said.

COVID dominates everything.

"I don't think it's going to get better but I think we will adapt," Sophia said. "I'm looking forward to that because it's still better than the last two years."

Others saw the new year as a new start.

"I hope just to be a better person," Tai Joseph said, "and spread love and more positivity to help those around me - and knock down goals."

Hyun Kim was venturing out to go to a pharmacy: "I just stay home. I want this to end so I can go on holiday."

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Peter Ridley's optimism was as broad as his neat handlebar moustache: "The only thing really is to be optimistic because if you're feeling pessimistic you are going to find things to be sad about.

"If you're in an optimistic space, you inevitably find things that bring your day up, whether it's just looking at a flower on the street or the smile on a kid's face. It perks you up. I think Canberra's an amazing place for that because it's really supportive."

But there was also deep gloom. Darryl and Natalie are both in their late 70s.

"I don't expect anything because there's no present and no future. It's just the past over and over again," she said.

They worry deeply about global warming and about war.

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