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Stars share: 'The 2019 news story that impacted me the most'

By 9Honey|

To reflect on the year that was, 9Honey asked Nine talent and other Aussie stars to give us a wrap-up of their 2019 จC what books they loved, gifts they bought, and resolutions they've made.

We also asked which big piece of news impacted them the most:

Shelly Horton, 9Honey presenter

"The news story that impacted me the most for 2019 would have to be the massacre in Christchurch. I felt it was just so close on our doorstep and the way that Jacinda Ardern managed that horrific situation was a masterclass on leadership.? She demonstrated that a true leader should be empathetic, strong and decisive all at the same time. I think she is my number one person of 2019 and I can't wait to see what else she does."

Sami Lukis,?9Honey?columnist

"The recent bushfires. I'd been watching the fires on the news every day, but last week as I was standing on my balcony in the middle of Kings Cross, I was shocked to see large chunks of ash falling from the sky right in front of me. It was literally raining ash in the middle of Sydney. I just can't begin to fathom how traumatic it must be for the people who are caught in the middle of those bushfire zones."

Thick smoke rises from bushfires near Nana Glen, near Coffs Harbour. (AAP)

Antonia Kidman, 9Honey columnist

"The Christchurch massacre was the most shocking and devastating, and Greta Thunberg's address at the UN Climate Change Summit was the most inspiring because it made us realise that children can, should and do have the right to a voice."

Jayne Azzopardi,?Weekend Today presenter

"For me, it's hard to go past the bushfires. I've been covering fires for years but I can't ever remember it being as bad as this. I spent my birthday this year at the RFS headquarters where everyone was in shock as an unprecedented number of emergency level fires were taking over NSW... plus the smoke in the air is just awful. Our firies do a brilliant job."

Sylvia Jeffreys, Nine Journalist

"Seeing the impact of the drought on basin communities was both eye opening and devastating.? The extent of this crisis can only be fully appreciated in the dusty paddocks and bone dry riverbeds where it is hitting hardest and the sheer desperation of families, farmers and communities is crushing.? The families I met along the Darling and Murray rivers are never far from my thoughts."

(Instagram)

Allison Langdon,?60 Minutes?reporter

"The bushfires on the NSW mid north coast. Meeting so many families who had lost their homes, who knew people who lost their lives. I grew up in that part of the world. Mum and dad had fires burning north, west, east and south of them. For me the story was very personal and I always struggle when you see tough, resilient farmers on the brink. Coupled with the crippling drought a lot of people were at breaking point. It's very hard to simply return to your life - there are a lot of feelings of guilt that your home and family are safe."

(instagram/ @oceanheroes)

Tracy Vo, 9News Perth presenter

"It's a local Perth story about a charity initiative where volunteers take children with autism surfing. Ocean Heroes is a beautiful charity and the volunteers are amazing. I reported on the story and the images of the children filled the soul cup. It had such an impact and touched the hearts of so many in the newsroom, 9Cares has become involved with the charity."

Livinia Nixon,?9News Melbourne?presenter

"The recent bushfires that threatened homes and wildlife in Qld, NSW, WA, Vic....its too early in the season for this. Conditions are terrifying as the ground is dry, streams are low, water catchments are falling and Summer has only just begun."

Bec Judd,?Postcards?presenter

"The recent NSW fires."

Leila McKinnon, Nine journalist

"The drought and the fires, I'm absolutely devastated for our farmers and rural communities. The drought can be soul destroying and although we, as a community have got behind people who are suffering, we need to keep up that effort as it drags on. The fires are truly frightening and perhaps we need a big investigation into what we can do differently to manage the land more effectively."

Scott Cam, Nine's The Block presenter

"Drought and fires."

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