A nation remembers one year on

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd turned to his Christian faith, reading a short excerpt from the Book of Revelation of St. John the Divine.

"Mourning, and death, and pain will be no more', the Prime Minister read.

"And the one sitting on the throne said", the Prime Minister continued,  "'Look, I am making everything new', and then he said to me, "Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true."'

Candles were lit, and the names of communities read out as the audience sat in thought.

National day of mounring

The Prime Minister has declared a national day of mourning.

And while the anniversary of the Black Saturday bushfires will always be just that, the federal government says it's also a day to reflect on the nation's tremendous strength.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Families Minister Jenny Macklin, Attorney-General Robert McClelland and Parliamentary Secretary for Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction Bill Shorten on Sunday released a joint statement remembering the tragedy one year on.

"February 7 will be forever etched in the nation's memory as a day of mourning but also one of tremendous spirit and inspiration," it read.

"The tragedy brought out the best of the Australian character and inspired countless acts of bravery and generosity."

The worst natural disaster since Federation, Victoria's Black Saturday bushfires claimed 173 lives and destroyed more than 2000 homes.

Mr Rudd and his colleagues said their thoughts were with the survivors of the disaster, whose "quiet courage" inspired the nation.

Marysville remembers

A bereaved man spoke of the torture of losing his wife and two sons in Marysville, during a memorial to mark the first anniversary of fires that ravaged the small community.

Rod Liesfield has told several hundred people at Gallipoli Park of his love for his beloved and fantastic boys James and Matthew and his wife Elizabeth and how his faith has helped him to get  through.

He says his very foundation was attacked on that tragic night of February 7th, and the days since have been very dark, emotional and full of questions.

Marysville survivors have gathered in the park to mourn loved ones lost, and to hear the names of those who died read out.

Kinglake memorial

Earlier, a small group of parishioners has quietly wiped away tears in a Kinglake West church during a memorial service to mark the first anniversary of Victoria's Black Saturday bushfires.

About 50 people, many wearing yellow ribbons gathered outside the white weatherboard church where the Australian flag was raised to half mast.

Uniting Church minister Mark Prowse has told the service today is about remembering but also about looking to the future.

He says people are still grieving and hurting but they're getting through it.

After a short sermon,  four young boys in scout uniforms carried a floral wreath outside and laid it at the base of the flagpole.

Police vow to catch arsonists

Meanwhile, the head of the police taskforce investigating the fires has vowed not to stop until they find the arsonist responsible for starting the Marysville blaze.

Taskforce Phoenix boss Detective Superintendent Paul Hollowood says he's pleased arrests have been made over the two other deadly bushfires believed to have been deliberately lit in the Gippsland area and Bendigo.

But there've been no arrests over the Murrindindi fire which hit Marysville and Narbethong causing the deaths of 40 people.

Detective Superintendent Hollowood says police do have leads, and time's not a factor.