After lending a helping hand in the Victorian town of Omeo during the summer's bushfire crisis, Papua New Guinean troops are preparing to head home.

Key points: It was the largest deployment of PNG troops on an overseas mission

It was the largest deployment of PNG troops on an overseas mission Pacific military engineers helped clear roads and made a mark on regional communities

Pacific military engineers helped clear roads and made a mark on regional communities Locals recalled PNG helping troops in WWII at a large feast to farewell the contingent

The month-long mission saw 99 troops deployed from Australia's northern neighbour, most of them engineers, to help clear roads of debris.

Australian authorities described their contribution as essential work to help reconnect isolated communities with schools and services after the blazes ripped through the mountain region and across East Gippsland.

Across Victoria, 1.5 million hectares were burnt and more than 400 homes lost. The Omeo community was also devasted by the loss of firefighter Bill Slade, who died trying to contain a blaze in the region.

Residents in Omeo braced for a large bushfire approaching in January. ( Supplied: Natalie O'Connell )

PNG Defence Force Second Lieutenant Sherwin Pohonai said she wanted to give back after Australia's support for PNG during times of crisis.

"It strengthened the relationship that we have with the Australian Defence Force, by coming down and helping them in a small way," she said.

"Most of the time they are the first responders to any natural disaster, or any time of need when we need their support, they're always there."

PNG troops prepare a mumu, a traditional feast cooked on hot rocks. ( ABC News )

She said she and the other troops were warmly welcomed by the Omeo community.

"A little smile on their face speaks a lot to us, the environment was welcoming to us. We are very happy and pleased to see the smiles on peoples' faces," Lieutenant Pohonai said.

"Omeo was a mission accomplished."

Members of Melbourne's PNG community visited the fire-ravaged region around Omeo. ( ABC News )

Victoria's Emergency Management Commissioner, Andrew Crisp, said the troops from PNG played a "critical role" in ensuring roads were open so school bus routes would be up and running, helping them get back to normal life.

"This is only the third time that the PNG Defence Force has actually deployed overseas, and this is the largest deployment ever," he said.

"I've just been talking to some of the Australian soldiers, and they were just saying that the integration has worked so well, and I think that's based on history over many, many years, with PNG being one of our closest and friendliest neighbours."

Mumu and singsing to thank troops

Before their departure from Omeo, members of the PNG community in Melbourne travelled to the region at the weekend, serving up a classic PNG meal and treating the troops to a farewell song and dance — as well as a spot of backyard cricket.

Among them was 13-year-old Joa Kinten Atagomo, who chose to celebrate her birthday by giving back to others.

Lieutenant Georgina Tebegetu, left, alongside her fellow troops, said the challenging deployment had been a learning experience. ( ABC News )

Originally from the town of Goroka in PNG, she now lives in Melbourne and was helping to slice up some crackling pork from the mumu — a traditional way of cooking meat and vegetables on hot stones.

"It's very emotional to be here, because there are some people that I recognise who are like my family, so it's a very special moment for me," she said.

The troops also helped to build a memorial at a school in the nearby community of Swifts Creek, and went into schools reading books to children.

Members of the Australian Defence Forces and PNG troops were also treated to a lively singsing, a traditional PNG song and dance.

PNG troops help prepare a roast pork using hot stones. ( ABC News )

Locals were also touched by PNG troops singing hymns, Lieutenant Sharon Coates said.

"One of the joys that the locals have liked the most is the fact that in the evening, the soldiers often do their devotions or sing several hymns, and people find it really beautiful to listen to and really relaxing," she said.

"It's lovely to see that culture brought to our country and here in Omeo, and even to the point that they've welcomed the locals to come in and sit while they've been doing devotion."

Rebecca Atagomo and Pamela Philemon travelled from Melbourne to thank PNG troops. ( ABC News )

The PNG troops were also invited to attend a farewell service at the local church, filling the pews for the first time in decades, Omeo resident Leonie Pendergast said.

"I think our feeling after [the troops] leave Omeo is going to be one of very sincere reverence for the wonderful job [they] have done," she said.

"[They] have credited themselves as soldiers but also as wonderful human beings, and God bless."

Pacific deployment amid calls for climate action

Although Pacific nations regularly deploy to Australia for training and exercises, a Defence Ministry spokesperson said this was "the first time in recent history support on a large scale by Pacific countries has been provided to Australia in times of a natural disaster".

"The level of support provided to the current bushfire crisis in Australia by our Pacific neighbours is unprecedented," they said.

Many of the troops said they did so in a spirit of neighbours giving back.

Fiji and Indonesia have also sent military engineers to assist, while Vanuatu pledged almost $250,000 to help bushfire victims.

Fiji's Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama, was quick to offer prayers in solidarity with Australia, but in an article for the Guardian, he noted that was not enough to fight the climate crisis.

"I'm not one to mince words; and, to be frank, I'm exhausted by the lack of accountability that comes from this type of tip-toeing," he wrote.

"If we choose inaction, we will only be fanning the flames of this crisis for future generations."

Fijian troops were also welcomed into communities where they served, delighting locals with their singing while they worked to assist in the wake of the bushfires.

A spokesperson from Australia's Defence Ministry expected Fiji's assistance to wrap up this weekend, ahead of their return next week, while Indonesians deployed here for the Bushfire Assist operation are expected to finish in early March.

"Australia appreciates the generous offers for military support from across the world as we respond to the current bushfires," they said.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Watch Duration: 33 seconds 33 s Fijian troops sing to entertain school children amid Australia's bushfire crisis.

Indonesia provided 43 engineers from their armed forces to support communities and clear routes in the Blue Mountains, while Fijian military engineers were working alongside the ADF in East Gippsland to help with culvert clearing, cross cutting and firebreak development.

Memories of help during WWII

East Gippsland Shire Mayor John White said his father had a connection to PNG, serving with the ADF during the Battle of Milne Bay in 1942.

He said the PNG military presence during the bushfire crisis had helped instil a sense of security and they would be missed by the community.

Jenna Wellip was among many in the PNG community in Melbourne who travelled to Omeo to prepare the farewell feast. ( ABC News )

"The really big heavy lifting that they've done is the road clearances, and we never could have done it without them because we've just had such a massive area impact, and the roads were really, really badly affected," he said.

"The community was so pleased to see them — they made a huge difference, because they came virtually straight away in our darkest hour.

"The work they've done is unprecedented and we can't thank them enough."

Lieutenant Coates said they had made their mark on the community, and always greeted locals with a smile.

"We've seen real mateship together here, just like I guess we would have seen way back in World War II when the soldiers were in PNG on the Kokoda Track, and the Papuans helped out the Australian soldiers," she said.

"Here, the Papuans have been helping out not only Australian soldiers, but our community as a whole, and it's just wonderful."

Veterans' Affairs Minister Darren Chester, Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp and Brigadier Matthew Burr thanked PNG troops for their support. ( ABC News )

Brigadier Matthew Burr said their support was like that of siblings helping each other in times of disaster.

"The relationship is a true partnership," he said.

"In the past, we've been asked to assist — and we've been very, very pleased and humbled to be able to assist.

"But on this occasion the support and the rapid response by the Papua New Guinean Defence Force has been critical to the success of this operation and also the rapid recovery … and relief to the Victorian community."

Additional production by Michael Walsh and Erin Handley