Sunday's national day of mourning will mean the start of a "new year" for many Victorians from bushfire-hit areas, says the head of the recovery authority.
Australians will observe a national day of mourning on Sunday on the first anniversary since deadly bushfires killed 173 people and decimated many rural communities in Victoria.
Christine Nixon, the head of the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority, said she was inspired by the resilience of those affected.
"It's really terrific for me to see, from the very first day when I was up and out in those communities and has continued to be so," she told the Nine Network on Sunday.
"I think many people will see today as the start of a new beginning.
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"Some people have said to me, look I just want it out of the way, others, it's just another day for me to get over, others say my new year doesn't start until Monday. That's the range of views.
"What keeps people together is the support from the broad community... I couldn't be more supportive and encouraging of the communities themselves who've just come together, stood up when they never expected to and done an amazing job together."
Butterflies in symbolic gesture
To mark the fateful day of February 7, 2009, community events have been organised in the bushfire-hit areas such as at the Kinglake West Football Ground on Sunday night, when butterflies will be released and candles lit.
Along with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Victorian Premier John Brumby, Ms Nixon will lead a multi-faith memorial service at St Paul's Cathedral in Melbourne on Sunday to remember those who perished.
"This morning I am going to be meeting with some of the families before the service... who lost mothers and fathers and sisters and brothers and grandchildren," she said.
"They will be very much be the heart of our service today.
"A lot of communities have said to us they just want to be on their own... they just want to have those who are part of it to reflect, to think and to support each other and I hope that's respected."
Ms Nixon said most of the $388 million in cash donated after the fires had been allocated to families.
