Megan Doherty's favourite stories of 2019

The stories of everyday Canberrans moved me most in 2019. People like Colin Herringe, 90, the unofficial mayor of Kernot Street, Dickson, showing simple, but powerful, humanity and compassion

Colin Herringe has lived in his place since the houses were first built 59 years ago. Picture: Elesa Kurtz

He'd lived in the street for nearly 60 years and had always been there for his neighbours, including caring for a widow and her sister for 90 years. Mr Herringe moved into a retirement home this year. Kernot Street won't be the same.

Robert Kellly has been a postie for 35 years. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong

I also so loved the story of Robert "Kel" Kelly, a postie in Hackett for 35 years. He started his career as a mailman as a 16-year-old riding a pushbike around the streets of Hackett.

"I love coming to work each day," he told us.

"To me, it's a great honour to get to 25 years. To me, that's fantastic. Anything after that is gold. When I tell people I've been a postie for 35 years they usually go, 'Kel, are you serious'?"

Alex Terpstra, left, survived stage four melanoma and describes ACT Nurse of the Year Christine Archer as a superstar. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong

We praised the amazing service of the ACT Midwife of the Year, Sally McRae and ACT Nurse of the Year Christine Archer and their beautiful rapport with their patients.

Pioneering Canberra Gwen Lawless, 95, who used to ride in a sulky to the Weetangeera schoolhouse, also had a great tale to tell.

There were plenty of memorable weddings in 2019.

MIX106.3 breakfast presenter Kristen Henry married Iain Davidson in May in a spectacular wedding in New Zealand.

Iain Davidson and Kristen Henry on their wedding day in New Zealand.

Bella Insch and Mhera Nelson-Insch were married in the sculpture garden at the National Gallery of Australia in March after winning a competition as part of the Love and Desire: Pre-Raphaelite Masterpieces from the Tate exhibition.

Four Raiders' players and their partners were married this year.

And, although it wasn't strictly, a Private Capital story, the nuptials of Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Anthony Toms in Newcastle in November was the wedding of the year.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Anthony Toms on their wedding day in Newcastle.

Quirky was also good this year.

We loved the enthusiasm of Wanniassa baker Quan Nguyen who turned his bread green for the Raiders' charge to the NRL grand final.

Instagram went crazy over Canberra's "milliennial pink" pond in Bruce.

The pink pond at Bruce. Picture: Jamila Toderas

And author Ginger Gorman even let us watch as she got a tattoo to mark the success of her massive work, Troll Hunting.

We loved hearing about new businesses, from the Scullin Traders to a new cafe beside Lake Burley Griffin. And marking the end of an era for some such as Southside Lighting in Fyshwick which closed after nearly 45 years of trading.

Scullin Traders co-founders Sue White, Rachel Howard and Emily Brindley.

Art of the Canberran kind made more than a few appearances, including the work of Michael Ashley, who continued his on-point, prolific output and Trevor Dickinson who created a wonderful bus shelter mural at Westfield Woden. Suzie Bleach and Andrew Townsend created the piece, titled A Delicate Moment for the Hughes shops. We wrote in August about how some wag had warmed her up for winter.

Amelia Bright and Sophia Michael, both 2-years-old, with the sculpture at Hughes shops which some wag has warmed up for winter. Picture: Jamila Toderas

And a special thank you to all the Canberrans who shared their stories of struggle and survival. We hope 2020 is kinder to you. And to all those who let a hand to people less fortunate, you again proved Canberra is definitely a city with a soul.