Australia mourns fire victims at church services
Last Updated: Sunday, February 15, 2009 | 12:29 PM ET
CBC News
Related
People attended church services across Australia Sunday to remember the victims of brushfires that swept through Victoria state a week ago.
Fast-moving fires killed more than 180 people and destroyed 1,800 homes in the deadliest disaster of its kind in the country's history.
At one service to mourn the victims and honour firefighters, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd promised to rebuild devastated towns to help the more than 7,000 people now without homes.
"We'll rebuild, and we'll rebuild together, and not just for tomorrow, and not just for next week, and not just for next month, but until this community is rebuilt completely," Rudd said during an open-air service in Wandong, where fires killed three people and destroyed about 200 homes.
On the steps of the Sydney Opera House, people listened to a performance of Dawn Chorus by 100 singers from Sydney Philharmonia Choirs and counter tenor Tobias Cole during a special fundraising event for the victims of the Victoria wildfires.
Canadian singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen has donated $200,000 US to aid victims. Cohen is touring Australia and hopes his contribution will go directly to families in need.
Meanwhile, Melbourne-born Kylie Minogue and her sister, Dannii, are said to be planning a benefit concert in London with fellow Australian singer Natalie Imbruglia at a time not yet specified.
While the worst of the damage was reported last weekend, 12 fires continued to burn across Victoria on Sunday.
Fire engines raced past the small, 140-year-old Christ Church in Whittlesea while the archbishop of Melbourne was leading a service, their sirens briefly drowning out a song.
It's believed some of the 400 blazes were deliberately set.
One suspect is due to appear in court in Melbourne on Monday to face charges of arson causing death, intentionally lighting a wildfire and possessing child pornography.
His identity is being concealed by the court because of the risk of reprisal attacks against him or his family.
With files from the Associated PressShare Tools
Top News Headlines
- Everest team unable to bring down Toronto woman's body
- Bad weather has hampered the recovery team that is attempting to bring down the body of a Toronto woman who died trying to climb Mt. Everest. more »
- Aylmer triple stabbing leads to first-degree murder charges

- The estranged partner of a young mother who was stabbed to death along with her parents at their home in Aylmer, Que., has been charged with first-degree murder Friday. more »
- Attack on Syrian villages deadliest yet, activists say
- More than 90 people have been killed by regime forces in a district of central Syria, activists say, and as many as half the victims may have been children. more »
- The risks and responsibilities of taking on Mt. Everest

- The deaths of six climbers last weekend on Mt. Everest, with more summits underway this weekend, fuels the debate about the risks and responsibilities of high altitude climbing. more »
Latest World News Headlines
- Attack on Syrian villages deadliest yet, activists say
- More than 90 people have been killed by regime forces in a district of central Syria, activists say, and as many as half the victims may have been children. more »
- No. 3 in Egypt election demands recount
- A spokesman for the third-place finisher in Egypt's presidential race has called for a partial vote recount, citing violations. more »
- 3rd most-wanted Nazi war criminal dies in Germany
- Klaas Carel Faber, a Dutch native who fled to Germany after being convicted in the Netherlands of Nazi war crimes and subsequently lived in freedom despite several attempts to try or extradite him, has died. He was 90. more »
- Everest team unable to bring down Toronto woman's body
- Bad weather has hampered the recovery team that is attempting to bring down the body of a Toronto woman who died trying to climb Mt. Everest. more »
Dispatches »
- Foreign slaves serving the U.S. military machine May. 24, 2012 3:33 PM How does a hairdresser recruited for work in Dubai, wind up slaving for the U.S. military in a war zone in Iraq? There are tens of thousands serving in what's come to be known as America's "Invisible Army."
Connect Newsroom Blog
Etan Patz, Brian Banks & 50 Shades of Grey May. 25, 2012 8:56 PM On his first full day of his new life, former football star Brian Banks joins us live.
- Aylmer triple stabbing leads to first-degree murder charges
- Pope's butler arrested in Vatican leaks scandal
- B.C. premier unhappy with disgraced Mountie's transfer
- Everest team unable to bring down Toronto woman's body
- Everest victim's husband says family not seeking government help
- Tornado touchdown confirmed near Montreal
- The risks and responsibilities of taking on Mt. Everest
- Ottawa man in hospital after lightning strike
- Canada ending 'Buffalo shuffle' for visas, closing consulate

