As 2014 comes to a close and many people begin to think in terms of new year’s resolutions the Bendigo Advertiser has asked some well known local identities, as well as ordinary citizens, to look forward to the coming year and nominate some personal, professional and city wide goals for 2015.

In a year when Peter Cox took over from Barry Lyons as mayor of the city, Cr Cox nominated changing his mode of transport for one day a week as an aim for the new year.

Transport will be an increasingly important issue in the coming year as local Bendigo East MP Jacinta Allan takes on the state’s public transport and employment portfolios and plans for the Bendigo Metro Rail project gather momentum.

When Cr Cox was sworn in as mayor in November he said his ideal mayoral year would "see the council commit to lower rate rises and to implement a range of strategies that will not only make a difference for all of our citizens but plan for Bendigo and its region to be renowned as Australia's most liveable regional city".

As the year drew to a close Cr Cox said his focus was now on building better relationships with all sections of the Bendigo community.

“What I would want is for all sections of the community to benefit from Bendigo’s growth through the council’s economic strategy,” he said.

While touching on many of the same themes as Cr Cox, City of Greater Bendigo CEO Craig Niemann set being healthy and spending more time with family and friends as his personal goal for the new year.

“I’ve tried to get a bit fitter over the last year, so maintaining that level going forward is really important and committing the time to be able to do that,” he said.

“And there’s certainly more to life than just work.”

As for professional goals Mr Niemann said he wanted to be the best CEO and leader that he could be in what was an important role for the city.

“I also want to get the best out of the people that I have responsibility for, the staff of the City of Greater Bendigo,” he said.

“Greater Bendigo (should be) recognised as a can-do city and region where we deliver great projects and great services for the people that live in our community.”

Like Mr Niemann, for Maiden Gully mother of two Anthea Sheahan, to Zach, two-and-a-half and Will, seven months, spending time with family was a priority.

“You can get carried away with life, so just to keep in touch with those that are close to you,” she said.

Ms Sheahan said she didn’t have time to get to the Christmas carols this year, so family activities were also high on the agenda for next year.

“I would like to attend more events that the city puts on, like the Blues & Roots Festival and Easter stuff,” she said.

In her job as a nurse at St John of God hospital, Ms Sheahan said she wanted avoid complacency.

“(I don’t want to) get too comfortable in my position,” she said.

“Always keep learning.”

In the sporting world, the Bendigo Spirit’s Gabrielle Richards said finishing work on her new house and saving money were her top personal priorities.

“We’re currently building a retaining wall and landscaping the backyard – all little jobs that I’ve put off,” she said.

Ms Richards has set a personal best for average points and rebounds this season and as far as professional aspirations went she was looking to capitalise on her good form.

After two consecutive wins in the past two seasons of the Women’s National Basketball League competition, she was straight to the point.

“To three-peat with the Bendigo Spirit.”

For Bendigo Football Netball League board member Melissa Ryan the theme of personal relationships was once again at the fore, saying she wanted to continue to be there for family and friends, especially in hard times.

“I’ve got some friends going through a little bit at the moment so my goal is to be there to help and support them in any way I can,” she said.

Professionally Ms Ryan said time management and generating more sporting opportunities for young athletes would be a focus for her in 2015 - a year in which the former netballer will serve as apprentice coach to Victoria's 17-and-under state team.

For Senior Sergeant Craig Gaffee of Bendigo Police the agenda for 2015 would be steady as she goes after recent events have served as a reminded of the important work police do in keeping the community safe from harm.

“(My personal goal is) to ensure that we make sure that we’re doing everything that we can and keeping everyone safe in Bendigo,” he said.

“To continue to engage with the local community and to find solutions to things that are causing us issues.

“And for Bendigo to continue to be the open and welcoming city that it is to people of all different backgrounds.”

The similarly community minded Centre for Non-Violence CEO Margaret Augerinos said she planned to continue her passionate advocacy into the new year.

“(My goal is) to continue to advocate for what I believe in and hope that I can contribute in a meaningful way to my community,” she said.

“Certainly for the centre to continue its work around working to end violence against women and children and working towards gender equality.”

Echoing Senior Sergeant Gaffee, Ms Augerinos also praised the inclusiveness of the people of Bendigo, whom she wanted to see continue to be ‘a welcoming community that celebrates diversity’.

Whatever challenges and opportunities the new year presents, and whatever your goals and new year’s resolutions, the Bendigo Advertiser wishes all our readers a happy and safe holiday period.