A YEAR has passed since they watched their newly renovated Warner St home go up in flames, but for Raylene and Graham Swain there is a lot for which to be thankful.

On Sunday more than 150 family, friends and generous residents gathered at the Swains' brand new home to mark the anniversary of the devastating blaze and help the popular couple move forward with happier memories on August 17.

Sitting in the lounge room of her new home, Raylene shared the journey she and her husband had been on since their life went up in smoke.

"I promised Graham I would wake up on the 18th and start to accept what happened," she said.

"I will start to accept this is it - this is my new home - and move on with life."

Rising from the ashes of their old home is a beautiful new one, full of memories and the generous donations of people in the community - friends, family and complete strangers.

Completed four months ago, the new home has been built as a mix of modern contemporary and elements of the older home which was lost.

Close friend and supporter Clare Cotton, who was among the guests on Sunday, said her friends had come out the experience well.

"They have a brand new house - it's full of things people gave out of love," she said. "The house is full of beautiful things that are memories."

The idea of having a thank you gathering in their new home on the anniversary of the fire was an idea Raylene said she had toyed with for a while.

"As the visitors slowed down I sent out 150 thank you cards and it just wasn't enough," she said.

"I just couldn't thank everyone enough - I wanted to give back to everyone who helped us."

There were tears, love and memories shared at Sunday's gathering.

"On Sunday I had a bit of a cry - it was all a bit of a blur and emotional," Raylene said.

"We finally have a happy memory to remember on August 17."

There was little which could be salvaged from their old house, with the blaze destroying a number of priceless treasures - some of which Raylene still mourns today.

"I don't want to sound ungrateful but I loved my old house and what I had," she said. "I'm still crying about mum's Royal Albert and other treasures."

All that remains of the old home is a few small mementos which could be salvaged and the front steps, which Graham insisted be kept as a reminder of all the couple had been through.

Looking back at the night of the fire, Raylene said it was all just a blur.

"We heard the explosion - I thought someone might have crashed their car out the front," she said.

"I looked out and no one was there - there was a terrible smell and it was dark."

The couple didn't realise the house was on fire until Graham spotted the flames when he went to the toilet.

"He came back out and saw the flames through the floor," Raylene said. "He shouted at me to get out because the house was on fire."

The community rallied behind the Swains immediately after the fire, especially members of the Warwick Artists Group and Weight Crunchers with whom Raylene had a strong involvement.

Despite the heartache and destruction, there are still moments of laughter as the Swains look forward with optimism.

If there's one thing which the Swains have taken away from their whole experience, it's to appreciate the little things in life.

"Be thankful for the littlest things which make you smile - the simplest things that give you joy," Raylene said.

"You really do depend on your family and friends - we couldn't have done it without them."