The ACT Assembly marked MrBalfour's passing with a minute's silence and during a condolence motion in the Victorian Parliament, Premier John Brumby described MrBalfour's death as ''a great tragedy''. Among those to attend the ceremony were Emergency Services Commissioner Gregor Manson, AFP Commissioner Mick Keelty, ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope, Opposition Leader Zed Seselja and Member for Canberra Annette Ellis.

The service was led by Monsignor John Woods, who presided over the Balfours' wedding 20 years ago.

Mr Balfour's sister-in-law Shayne Starkey said Mr Balfour was an ordinary, down-to-earth bloke.

''David loved his wife and children and he also loved his job and made the most of every opportunity that came his way,'' Ms Starkey said.

''David lived his life to the full as if every day was his last, doing the things he loved doing.

''David would have been proud to think it would end like this for him. He died doing what he loved and he would have been happy with that a job well done.''

Mourners were told Mr Balfour had a diverse range of interests, including hunting, lock-picking, IT and learning to be a butcher.

Former commissioner of the fire brigade, David Price, said yesterday that Mr Balfour was an exceptional firefighter, a unique character and a wonderful person.

He said Mr Balfour never wasted his time, was inquisitive and mischievous. Mr Balfour loved the outdoors and the fire brigade. He had said that even if he won the lottery, he would be back at the station the next day. He was a plumber by trade and was always trying to master new skills.

Mr Price said it would take his family, the fire brigade and everyone who knew him well a long time to come to grips with the loss.

He said that he would miss his friend's ''quirky humour, his smile, his eyes, his laugh and his love for his family''.

ACT Emergency Services Agency Deputy Commissioner Brian Parry said while it was a tragedy that the deployments to the Victorian bushfires ended with such a profound loss, the fire brigade would continue to rally behind the Balfour family.

''I think that it is a fitting tribute that people have come from interstate as well as many people from right across emergency services, it's a farewell from everybody who has been connected with the fires,'' Deputy Commissioner Parry said. And he said the fire brigade was keen to make sure its involvement in the clean-up did not end on a tragic note.

''The brigade have expressed a desire to go back to Victoria they feel there is unfinished business.''