Olivia Newton-John memorial

Olivia Newton-John's memorabilia will be on display during her State memorial service in Melbourne tomorrow, while her family pay homage to the singer and ...

"I think it'll be very emotional - but in a good way. Most of those attending the service will be members of the public who had to pre-book seats for the memorial service. The service will be held in Hamer Hall and will start at 4pm today, it will also be live-streamed on the Victorian Government's website from 3:25pm for those who cannot attend in person.

Describing the star as the embodiment of "generosity and kindness", "beautiful inside and out" and "a true professional", Australians share their special ...

I always said if I ever had a daughter, I would call her Olivia and I did in 1994. I turned to the passenger in the seat next to me and asked her who the woman in front of us was. We completed the flight and the stewardess came down and asked the woman if she would remain on board until the rest of us had got off so that the flight crew could get a photo with her. At 21, I became the carer of a cancer patient and would listen to Olivia's music constantly. A group got on the plane late in the seats in front. My parents named me after her when i was born in 1983, in honour of their adoration and admiration for her. I feel so fortunate that I had the opportunity to talk with her. Dad would select the station on one leg of the journey and I would (obviously) pick a "pop" station for the other leg. I was completely starstruck and became at the moment a 40 year old fan boy. The fantastical nature of the film, and the incredible soundtrack, would influence my cultural and creative tastes for the rest of my life. Dad told me when I was older he thought it a bit risque, but our 9 and 7 year old selves were oblivious to the quips intended for the older audience members. I grew up with the original patriarchal father and stay-at-home mother from the Snowy and Riverina regions of NSW.

Nine's Entertainment Editor Richard Wilkins recalls to Ben Fordham the moment he and Olivia Newton-John had...

She, in fact, did not have his number, nor the tickets, or "anything" as Wilkins said. Why do you have to go?" "She was the real deal, just genuine and lovely. [Chris Martin](https://celebrity.nine.com.au/chris-martin) of [Coldplay](https://celebrity.nine.com.au/coldplay) had asked Newton-John if she wanted to come see the band's concert, and Newton-John invited Wilkins as well as her daughter [Chloe Lattanzi](https://celebrity.nine.com.au/chloe-lattanzi) to come along with her. [Gwyneth Paltrow](https://celebrity.nine.com.au/gwyneth-paltrow) in tow, and we were standing around in the backstage area, Gwyneth brought us out some glasses of wine," Wilkins said. "It was quite the experience, if you ever go to a Coldplay concert, you should take Olivia Newton-John," Wilkins laughed. "I realised that I'd found the only person in the world that'd never heard of Olivia Newton-John," Wilkins said, to which Fordham laughed as he guessed where the story was going. And as he reflected on the bittersweet memories and her monumental impact on the world, Wilkins decided to share one story that's full of "laughs". [died in August 2022 at the age of 73](https://celebrity.nine.com.au/latest/olivia-newton-john-death-tributes/8570b7be-9b80-441d-be8b-93d00144e665), said he "spent hours sitting out the blank space" figuring out what he was going to say as he "wants to get it right". [Ben Fordham](https://celebrity.nine.com.au/ben-fordham) on his [Ben Fordham Live weekend podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/bonus-the-time-olivia-newton-john-and-richard/id157670116?i=1000601578276) I never heard her say a bad word about anybody, and I spent quite a bit of time with her, and I never heard anybody say anything bad about her," Wilkins told 2GB's [Olivia Newton-John](https://celebrity.nine.com.au/olivia-newton-john)'s State Memorial Service this evening, [Richard Wilkins](https://celebrity.nine.com.au/richard-wilkins) has remembered his close friend's "wonderful life".

The State Memorial Service to honour the life of Dame Olivia Newton-John will be broadcast live from 3.30pm Sunday, February 26.

In partnership with Austin Health, the Olivia Newton-John Wellness and Research Centre (ONJWRC) opened in 2012. Newton-John is best known for her role of schoolgirl Sandy in the 1978 film Grease with John Travolta. The service will be an opportunity for the nation to honour her memory and her achievements.

Thousands are expected to gather and pay their respects to an Australian music and film icon at a state memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made in the form of contributions to the Wellness Programs at the Centre. Family and friends of Ms Newton-John will deliver speeches at the event, and a few songs will be performed to honour her contributions to music. The 73-year-old will be farewelled by the Australian public on Sunday afternoon in Melbourne, with the service to be streamed for those who aren’t able to attend in person.

A state memorial service for the late Olivia Newton-John is being held in Melbourne on Sunday afternoon. The service will be held at 4pm in Art Centre ...

Delta Goodrem, John Travolta and Paul Hogan will help farewell Olivia Newton-John at her state memorial today.

Diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, Newton-John used her own much-publicised heath battles to raise awareness about the illness. One of her final recordings was a new duet with Dolly Parton on the country music icon’s 1973 hit Jolene. A four-time Grammy Award winner, she topped the charts numerous times, and had hits with I Honestly Love You, If Not For You, Banks of the Ohio, Let Me Be There and Xanadu among many others. Her work spanned five decades, taking off with a trip to London in 1966, after she won a talent contest on television show Sing, Sing, Sing, hosted by the late Johnny O’Keefe. Newton-John’s many screen roles included 1978 musical Grease, playing Australian teenager Sandy Olson alongside John Travolta’s Danny Zuko. She died on August 8 last year at her home in southern California, aged 73.

Music commentator Glenn A Baker reflects on Olivia Newton John's legacy ahead of the state memorial service for the iconic performer.

Olivia Newton-John's late husband, John Easterling has shared an emotional tribute to the late singer, giving a rare insight into their marriage.

“But she will be very missed and my heart is with her family. “I perform because of one person, Olivia Newton-John. “I had the honour of singing with her several times. “She was one of the kindest, most present just light-filled beings walking around this Earth. “My favourite thing to do was watch her watching the birds and the flowers. I know it is especially painful for all the folks there in Australia as she is one of your own,” said Parton. “It’s Olivia’s is so important to me. “I loved making her tea and then making it five times again until I got it right. But the truth is, I feel like a little girl lost without her mother,” she said. She carried that kitten for a couple of weeks in her waistband,” he said. We were in all this great mystery, and just accepted the experience of our love is past, present and forever.” Easterling led a lengthy list of heartwarming tributes from celebrities and family, including her daughter Chloe Lattanzi.

Thousands gather at Hamer Hall to pay tribute to the extraordinary life and achievements of the iconic Australian entertainer and cancer patient advocate.

Thank you for being an amazing, unifying family member. "I'm sure you can imagine the feeling Olivia left patients with. And heaven has gained and angel. Still the best musical, which is playing frequently here in Sweden! "Liv, thank you. Emilie: Olivia was one of my childhood idols and came into my life with Grease. You have given love, hope and peace to all with your amazing voice and music. Judi: The world has lost a beautiful soul. Natty: Hey Joseph 😔 Hey Yara 😔 I can't say much, just Olivia was my 80s childhood. By Joseph Dunstan With your strength and courage all things are possible. I miss her already.

Tears flowed at a moving memorial service for Australian singing legend Olivia Newton-John on Sunday. Delta Goodrem first broke down on the orange carpet at ...

And as her spirit soars, the pain and holes in my heart are healed by the joy of her love and that light which shines forward. Easterling concluded his speech: “At her most difficult times she always had the spirit, the humour and willpower to move things into the light. Every day we expressed our gratitude for this love that could be so deep, so real, so natural,” he said. But we decided, we feel gratitude and just let the happiness run at full throttle.” She was the most courageous woman I have ever met. “Olivia’s deepest essence she was a healer. Even the fact that it’s meant to be in this moment now. “I think that’s really what it is.” And her bandwidth for genuinely caring about people, about animals and creatures of all kinds, eclipses almost what is humanly possible.” I think for however long it took to be able to come together, this is the moment it’s meant to be so we can all, as Australians - and around the world - all be able to unite together,” she added. “We all want to have a tear together and talk about how much we love her and how much we appreciate her touching all of our lives. “That gives me the strength to carry on until I find her again in that ultimate space of love and light.”