UPDATE: 5.10pm Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has vowed that every year on February 7 Australian flags will fly at half mast.
``In recent days we have witnessed unspeakable suffering,'' Mr Rudd said at a memorial service to remember victims of the tragedy.
''We have lost mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers. We have lost brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, the tiniest of children, family and friends and neighbours,'' Mr Rudd said.
``All these are precious lives. No words can provide solace for grief so personal. But simply know this. You who suffer are not alone.
``This great Australian family here assembled and across the nation today is with you.''
Mr Rudd also paid tribute to the Australian values that helped the nation get through the fires.
''We have drawn on our deep ancient vales and given them fresh voice in this modern age, values of courage, values of compassion and values of our steely resistance,'' Mr Rudd said
Thousands of people gathered in Melbourne, hundreds of them bushfire survivors, who were shuttled into the city from fire-ravaged towns.
Those who attended included Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull, Premier John Brumby, Princess Anne and Governor-General Quentin Bryce as well as family and friends of bushfire victims.
Many of those at the service were wearing the distinctive yellow overalls of the fire-fighters.
At least 209 people are known to have died in the February 7 fire storms, most of those from a sweep of towns and villages northeast of Melbourne.
Nearly 2000 homes were also destroyed in the Black Saturday fires.
A memorial tent was set up at Walker Reserve in Whittlesea, one of the worst hit areas by bushfires, where the Rod Laver Arena service was screened.
Around 300 people were at the Whittlesea service.
The stands were also full at the Kilmore Showgrounds where the community gathered to watch the memorial service.
Numbers at the Rod Laver Arena memorial service appear to be lower than expected, it is thought many people who have had their lives devastated by the fires have not travelled to Melbourne because they feel 'it is too soon.'
Singer Deborah Cheetham led singing of the national anthem.
Aboriginal leader Auntie Joy Murphy officially welcomed those to the land of the Wurundjeri people.
``The terrible loss of so many human lives, animals and homes is extremely difficult to comprehend and accept, to believe what has happened,'' Ms Murphy said.
``The spirit of the land will reclaim itself and the bush animals and the pets will return, this is nature's way,'' she said.
Premier John Brumby told those at the service that Australia was a nation deep in mourning.
``We are picking up the pieces after the worst natural disaster in Australia's history. Devastating fires that have taken family, friends, neighbours and workmates,'' Mr Brumby said.
``Destructive fires that have torn at the very heart of communities,'' he said.
Victorian Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu dedicated his message to the many volunteers who helped battle the fire and care for the injured and displaced, to those who had lost homes and people close to them.
''Our simple message is we are as one, Victoria is as one, you have our hearts, you have our hands,'' Mr Baillieu said.
Governor-General Quentin Bryce told the service bushfire communities would rebuild.
``We will open our hands and reach out and deep to give of ourselves whatever we are able. We each have our separate tasks, we know what they are and together we know the responsibilities we share,'' Ms Bryce said.
``In time, what was will be restored - no matter how colossal the effort.''
But she said today was a day of reflection.
``The unthinkable we must think; the unimaginable we must see; the unspeakable we must speak; the unbearable we must weep.''
Princess Anne represented Queen Elizabeth and the royal family at the memorial.
The princess read out a message written by Queen Elizabeth soon after the fires occurred and passed on her condolences.
``Although a little daunted, when faced with the scale of loss, and the physical and mental impact that these bushfires have made and are still making for Victoria, individuals and towns have responded with resilience, ingenuity, courage and selflessness to situations that were changing at terrifying speed,'' Princes Anne said.
She said she would be visiting fire affected areas on Sunday, and speaking to some of those touched by the tragedy.
``People from around Australia and across the world watched in horror, but with admiration at their response,'' Princess Anne said.
``I would particularly thank all those involved in whatever capacity, in the emergency services and in the voluntary organisations,'' she said.
Victoria's Governor David de Kretser said there were no words to encompass the distress of those who had lost loved ones.
``These have also been difficult days for all Victorians. Days of fear, of pain and now of haunting sadness,'' he said.
``It is not only family and friends who have suffered loss. Entire communities have been devastated by these fires.''
Religious leaders also addressed the service, including Catholic Archbishop Denis Hart, Anglican Archbishop Dr Philip Freier and interfaith representatives.
Mayor Lun Gunter from the Murrindindi Shire Council, where many of the worst-affected areas were located, described a fateful day's events.
"With the intense heat of day we waited in hope for the relief of night. Instead the fire came. In the wake of its destruction we lost many of our loved ones, our history, our animals, our landscape," Cr Gunter said.
The service also included a rousing rendition of We Are Australian, with lyrics rewritten to reflect on the tragic events of this month.
Many joined in the chorus, led by singer Bruce Woodley.
The service ended after the song Touch was sung by Michael Paynter, which urged people to reach out to those in need.
Many survivors of Victoria's recent firestorms said today's memorial service won't bring back the lives they have lost but was part of the healing process.
Grandmother Jenny Buxton, who ran the Plenty Hills health retreat at Wandong north of Melbourne, has lost friends, her home and everything she owned but attended the service at the Rod Laver arena with friend Francis McMenomy.
She lost neighbour Steve Lackas, who died leaving behind his wife Sandra and eight-year-old son Bailey, and friend Geoffrey Walker, who was killed at Narbethong.
"I keep thinking of the things I have lost but I am trying to find the positives," Ms Buxton said.
"I wanted to be part of today. The support of everyone has been great and I am grateful for all that we have been given."
Many survivors from fire-ravaged towns, such as Kinglake, decided not to attend the service because they were still too traumatised. Many buses in Whittlesea, organised for the event, were left unused.
Vicki Ruhr said she and some friends from Kinglake attended to support their friend, Lyn Gunter, the mayor of the Murrindindi shire in which they live in, who stood alongside Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Princess Anne to speak at the service.
"It's all gone so fast, the whole thing. A lot of Kinglake people chose not to come today because they just felt they couldn't leave, they wanted to stay on the mountain," Ms Ruhr said.
"A lot of them still haven't left the mountain (since the firestorm destroyed the town killing at least 45 people).
"It's important to know the support is there from our country, we're not just sitting in a little pocket. Awareness is there, now, that we need ongoing support ... sustaining support."
Her friend, Michael O'Meara, said he had lost many friends but Mr Rudd's commitment to re-build the town was "quite comforting".
"It's a long-term commitment and, as he said, a lot of governments would just forget about what happened. But he made the opposite commitments. I think that's very important," he said.
The group were pleased to see familiar faces on stage, like Ms Gunter, and singers, fellow Kinglake residents Merelyn and David Carter, who helped perform the song I am Australian.
They complained that many of their fellow traumatised Kinglake residents were being pressured by bosses to return to work.
Donna Todd said she felt she was still in shock after escaping with her husband Chris Franklin and their two horses just 20 minutes before their Strathewen home was razed.
"It's great to know so many people care. If just you had a house burn down you wouldn't get the support but with so many in the same boat you get the recognition I guess," said Ms Todd, who attended the service with her daughter and sister.
"It's quite overwhelming so I suppose we're all still in shock. This sorta stuff you can't feel yet.
"I mean it (the service) was nice but it doesn't really make a difference ... I've lost my house and everything in it ... but I've got my horses out and I've got my job, and my husband and I are safe, so we're lucky you know."
Country Fire Authority (CFA) volunteer Misty Dawn Thorose, from the Research brigade in Melbourne's outer northeast, said Sunday's service gave fire-fighters a chance to reflect on the horrors they had seen at places such as Kinglake.
"When you're out there on the ground you don't get a chance to do that. You've got to look at it objectively, you can't become emotionally involved," she told AAP.
"It was hard when you know the people who lived in the homes that you drove past and there was nothing left.
"This is a good chance to reflect on what happened and aids the grieving process."
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