I still live in a suburb of Canberra which was devastated by the 2003 firestorm. We were there during the fire, and lived amongst the ruins for years while the suburb was being rebuilt. While I didn't lose my house, I know dozens of families who did. This gives me some insight in the situation in Victoria.

I know you'll approach the trip with respect and sensitivity - the fact you're asking for advice shows that!

My feeling is this - go, spend money at a local shop, but don't obviously take photos of houses (burnt, or being rebuilt). My friends who lost their homes are still upset by the tourists who took photos of them and their ruined homes.

Don't ask questions. If the locals want to talk, they will. But I think most of them won't.

This weekend is going to be very hard for the survivors, and their families. I remember the first anniversary of our fire - the knowledge that 366 days ago the world was as it always had been. And then everything changed in an afternoon.

(PS This took a lot of editing as bushfire recovery is a difficult and emotional topic I know far to much about!)