15 Feb 2009

Churchgoers in Melbourne remember bushfire victims

9:39 pm on 15 February 2009

Church services were held around Victoria on Sunday, to remember the victims of the Australian state's bushfires.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was among those at an outdoor service in Wandong, north of Melbourne, where four people were killed in the fires.

He says the community is full of courage and has vowed to help it rebuild.

Mr Rudd also visited Kinglake where the fires killed more than 40 people.

Australia's governor general Quentin Bryce attended church services with Kinglake and Whittlesea residents.

Congregations from 17 churches across Melbourne walked from their services to the Fitzroy Gardens to remember the bushfire victims.

The bushfires killed 181 people.

The Australian government has vowed to create a bushfire early warning system, after years of delays.

Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard says some "technical issues" remain to be overcome, but legislation will be brought to parliament after some changes.