Lindt Cafe manager Tori Johnson and barrister Katrina Dawson have been remembered with moving musical tributes and a montage of the floral and written tributes that stacked up outside the site of last year's Sydney siege.
Hundreds gathered at Martin Place for the quiet commemoration on Tuesday night, among them Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, NSW police commissioner Andrew Scipione and several other politicians and emergency services representatives.
Survivors Louisa Hope, Marcia Mikhael, Jarrod Hoffman and Selina Win Pe sat with family members near the spot where, one year ago they were held captive for more than 17 hours by Man Haron Monis.
Rain looked set to sour the event, but stopped just as the VIP section was filled and the stage illuminated.
"The power of a community memorial is to remind each of us that love is greater than hate," Mr Turnbull said during a brief speech.
NSW premier Mike Baird said he will always remember how the city and state responded to the tragedy.
"Something remarkable happened as we came alongside the families and all of those who endured the ordeal," he said.
"As a city we were drawn to Martin Place.
"We came in shock and in sorrow but every step we took was with purpose."
The panic and resulting tragedy of that harrowing summer day has been replaced with messages of hope, love and solidarity projected upon the building in which the cafe is located.
During the hour-long memorial the Ascham Chamber Choir sung Somewhere Over The Rainbow in honour of Ms Dawson and one of Mr Johnson's favourite numbers, Melodramma, was also performed
