A year ago, when Rosie Batty was named the 2015 Australian of the Year, she was still reeling with "raw grief" and feared she had only won because of her son's murder. 
"I'd made it to this point because of a traumatic and horrific event that was beyond my control."
But Ms Batty soon realised she was selected "because of the way that I had responded and reacted to [Luke's death]".
Over the past 12 months, she has been busier than she ever thought possible. With more than 250 speeches and more interviews and meetings than she can count, "I was completely swamped".
Spurred on by the chance to make a difference, Ms Batty told an audience at the National Gallery on Monday that she wanted to say "Yes" to everything.
"I couldn't wait for change. I had to make it happen within my year ... before I ran out of time."
Luke Batty was killed by his father in   February 2014, immediately casting Ms Batty into the public spotlight, where she began to make the case for change in the way Australia talks about and deals with domestic violence.
Reflecting on her time as Australian of the Year in a valedictory speech, Ms Batty said she had been aware that the second year of grief "is often the hardest, because everyone gets on with their life while you are still adjusting to the loss".
"But [this year] I have been genuinely astounded by the response that I have received. Every day, people will say positive and encouraging things out of compassion and out of respect ... I have grown in a way that I never thought possible."
But it has been a year of highs and lows.
"This journey has been conflicting, too, as I juggled grief and loss, suppressing my sadness whilst enjoying the most amazing opportunities of my life."
As she prepares to hand over the Australian of the Year reins, Ms Batty says she will not stop working to end domestic violence.
"Together we have created an awareness of an issue that has always been there and there is so much more to do," she said.