Melbourne’s cold, drizzly weather didn’t discourage an 1800-strong crowd from attending a moving and emotional memorial service at St Patrick’s Cathedral in honour of the 298 victims, including 38 Australians who died in the MH17 plane tragedy over the Ukraine in July.

United in grief, family members of those who perished were joined at the multi-faith service by Melburnians touched by the disaster. Tearful relatives had the opportunity to place sprigs of wattle on a large floral wreath at the front of the altar.

The Australian Government called for a National Day of Mourning following the downing of MH17 on July 17. Dignitaries included the Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, Deputy Opposition leader, Bill Shorten, Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lady Cosgrove, Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and the leaders of other religious faiths in Victoria. The service began with a greeting from the Archbishop of Melbourne, Denis Hart and the Australian National Anthem sung by the Australian Boys Choir.

In welcoming the large group of mourners, Archbishops Hart said the tragedy had deeply affected the nation. ‘Our hearts go out to the family members of those who have died. We assure them of our love and support at this special moment,’ said Archbishop Hart.

‘Here in Melbourne today, regardless of origin or creed we stand in solidarity with those who are suffering unimaginable loss. We commit ourselves to walk with them in the days ahead, in love, resolve and prayer … their gifts and their memories remain with us always.’

The Governor-General paid tribute to the relatives, especially the Maslins from Perth whose three children were on the plane. ‘Even the most deeply bereaved can demonstrate extraordinary fortitude. One of the families grieving, the Maslin family, has expressed so powerfully some of how they feel that in spite of the enormity of their loss and the depth of their despair, their love exceeds and surmounts all the hatred in the world,’ said Sir Peter.

‘This we can all understand for there is nothing stronger or more powerful than the love we have for our children; our partner; our parents; our family; our friends. It is that love that helps us to believe we can cope with even the most unspeakable of tragedies — to have faith (and) that we can rally ourselves and summon the strength to go on from our memory of them. We need to have faith at times like this.’

Religious leaders from 14 different faiths read opening prayers while the Ambassador for the Netherlands, Her Excellency Annemieke Ruigrok and the Malaysian High Commissioner, His Excellency Zainal Abidin Ahmad said the readings.

Prime Minister Abbott said the service was a show of solidarity and support for the victim’s families. ‘We honour the dead and grieve with the living. We cannot bring them back, but we will bring them home as far as we humanly can,’ said Mr Abbott. ‘The Australian nation expresses its gratitude for lives so cruelly cut short and we express our solidarity with those who loved them.’

Mr Abbott said those onboard the flight reflected what was best about today’s Australia — ‘doctors who worked with refugees; teachers who worked with the Indigenous and children with disabilities; business innovators; and young people who had a passion for the future ahead.

‘(And) what could be more typical of modern Australia today than a Malaysian married to a Dutchman, raising their children in outer metropolitan Melbourne,’ Mr Abbott added.

Describing the incident as a ‘global calamity’, Mr Shorten said the sorrow felt by all Australians was immense. ‘We gather in this peaceful sanctuary to pay our national tribute (and) respect. We gather as sons and daughters; as brothers and sisters; as partners and carers; as friends and strangers, joined in a single garment of breath,’ said Mr Shorten.

‘We mourn 38 of our own who laughed and learned and loved beneath the Southern Cross. But today, flags are at half-mast around the nation that was their home. Today is not about why or how. It is about who we lost and who we will miss. Some will call it closure; some it will call it acceptance; some will call it letting go. Whatever it is, it will take a while,’ Mr Shorten said.

Katie Noonan and Abby Dobson performed ‘Even When I’m Sleeping’, and with violin backing, the multi-faith service ended with Ms Noonan’s moving rendition of ‘I am Australian’. In a final fitting tribute, the bells of St Patrick’s rang out across the city at midday.

Image: Wreckage from the flight in a paddock (Getty Images: Rob Stothard)