Sydney siege aftermath: Emergency workers thanked for efforts in Martin Place

One month ago, Man Haron Monis walked into the Lindt café at Martin Place with a gun, and the lives of two innocents would be lost.

On Friday police, ambulance workers, fire fighters and others involved in the complex emergency response gathered at NSW Government House to be officially thanked.

NSW Governor David Hurley, a former defence force chief, said national security events such as the siege were "a bit like the axe or the fire hose behind the glass - break in times of emergency".

"We got to the point a month ago where we had to break the glass. For people who have been in that situation, it's a point where you know you are skilled, you are trained, you are ready to go, but you wish you weren't there," he said.

But for others, such a crisis was something only ever talked about or practised in exercises, and they "have never actually been put in that position. I think that's a lot harder for many," he said.

Mr Hurley urged the emergency services workers, who gathered on the lawn overlooking Sydney Harbour, not to go it alone if the emotional effects of the siege proved too hard to bear.

"This is the time to go and talk to mates, talk to somebody who can assist you. Don't think that you are immune from any adverse effect from an incident like this," he said.

Premier Mike Baird said the workers came to the state's aid in "the darkest of hours".

"If I could hug every single one of you I would," he said.

"Whilst we saw in those hours the worst of humanity, I strongly believe that in what followed we saw the best of humanity. We saw that in all of your incredible actions."

Mr Baird said he struggled to imagine the pressure on emergency services, especially the tactical operations group who stormed the café and the ambulance officers who followed soon after.

"All of us watched and thought 'I can't believe what they are going in to face, what they are going to do'. But they did it happily in the knowledge that they are putting their lives [at] risk for others," he said.

Mr Baird, who has recently spoken to the hostages, said it would take "a long, long time for them to get back to any sort of normal level. This will change them forever".

He said the state's thoughts remained with the families and friends of the victims, Tori Johnson and Katrina Dawson, as well as with the hostages.

The Lindt cafe remains boarded up and visitors continue to lay flowers at the site.

Mr Baird said NSW had emerged from the tragedy stronger and more thankful.

"Whilst our freedom was challenged … in those days we came through that test. They may try and take away our freedom, our values, but they will not succeed," he said.

Christian Democrat MP Fred Nile garnered controversy this week after claiming the male hostages who fled the Martin Place siege did not deserve bravery awards.

The following day, Reverend Nile said "the only man really there was the man with the gun". He later clarified his statement, saying he meant to say the terrorist was a coward.

Mr Baird on Friday condemned the comments as "totally inapproriate" but refused to back calls for Reverend Nile to resign, saying "that is a matter for Fred".