CRAIGIEBURN residents rallied at Our Lady's Church on Sunday to remember the victims of last year's Black Saturday bushfires.

The February 7 bushfires, described as one of the worst natural disasters in the country, claimed 173 lives and left more than 7000 people homeless.

Among those paying their respects to the victims were some of the 20 Craigieburn CFA volunteers who helped fight the fires, including fourth lieutenant John Payne who spoke to the Hume Weekly about how the disaster changed his life.

"I don't think you ever will get over it - it's a life-changing event," Mr Payne said.

"It makes you really realise how fickle life can be."

Mr Payne said the CFA had been "fantastic" with its support of volunteers but that didn't stop him from feeling a level of guilt about the experience.

"I guess to some extent you feel a bit guilty because as firefighters we're used to going to a fire, putting it out and walking away.

"We couldn't do that here, we walked away and the fire continued for another 24 days - we felt defeated."

Mr Payne said the affect on firefighters was dramatic and they still referred to it as "that day".

"It was a life-changing event and it's left a scar on us that will probably take a little while to get over," he said.

"We just hope people never forget it - preparedness saves lives."