Australia anniversary of deadly firestorm, 173 died

The “Black Saturday” bushfires, Australia's worst natural disaster, wiped out entire towns and destroyed more than 2,000 homes as they swept through communities in the southeastern state of Victoria. Of those who died, 23 were children.

“One year ago our lives changed forever,” one woman, who lost her son and her home in the inferno, told a memorial service in Melbourne.

“On that day we lost our past, our present and our future.

“To all of those who have lost your homes, your businesses, your pets, your memories, we feel your pain. To all those who grieve for family, friends and neighbors, you share my pain,” she said.

As flags across Australia flew at half-mast, a minute's silence was observed at a memorial service at Melbourne's St Paul's Cathedral attended by Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd.

Mourners hugged each other as they listened to music and readings from the Bible and candles were lit to honor the communities affected.

“February 7 will be forever etched in the nation's memory as a day of mourning but also one of tremendous spirit and inspiration,” Rudd said ahead of the service.

“Our thoughts today are with the survivors of the bushfires as they remember the people they lost and work to rebuild their lives and towns. Their quiet courage has inspired a nation.”

In the worst affected towns of Marysville, Kinglake and Strathewen smaller services and events were held to remember those lost in the firestorms of February 7, 2009.

In Marysville, bereaved father, Rod Liesfield, spoke of his anguish at surviving fires that took the lives of his wife and their two sons, aged 12 and 14.

“Yes, I did ask many times, I did ask God why,” he told a memorial service.

“I spent an hour or two or three, I haven't figured out how long yet, in that fire being hit by burning branches and everything, and I didn't lose a hair on my head. I walked through burning rooms. God has me here for a reason.”

The minister of Kinglake West Uniting Church, Mark Prowse, said his community was still grieving 12 months on.

“People are telling me today they are still hurting, they are still grieving, they are getting through it,” he told reporters.

“Emotionally and physically they are tired. There's time when they feel they have no hope. They wonder what's going on.”

Officials warned that the day of mourning would be traumatic for many people who survived the blazes, which rushed into small communities with little warning, killing residents as they sheltered in their homes, or attempted to flee in cars.

“Don't underestimate how significant this will be emotionally, not just to those directly affected, but to the millions of Victorians and Australians who shared their tears and who grieved last year,” Victorian Premier, John Brumby, said.

The Black Saturday fires prompted an examination of Australia's bushfire safety measures, including a stay-and-defend policy that encouraged residents to remain in their homes during wildfires if they were properly prepared.

Christine Nixon, who heads the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority, said the fires had left “an indelible scar” not only on those directly affected, but on Australians and the world.

“Over the past year there have been many tears,” she said, as she praised the efforts of the communities in rebuilding their towns.

“We've all seen and heard things that we would hope never to see again.”

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