Thousands pay tribute to Olivia Newton-John at Australian memorial service

A host of international stars and dignitaries paid tribute to the late Australian star Olivia Newton-John in at a state memorial service in Melbourne on Sunday.

Thousands gathered at Hamer Hall and video tributes came from Elton John, Hugh Jackman, Dolly Parton, Pink, Barry Gibb and Mariah Carey.

Singer Delta Goodrem hugs fan Justine Edwards outside a state memorial service for Olivia Newton-John at Hamer Hall in Melbourne. Photograph: James Ross/EPA

Newton-John, who has a string of No 1 hits worldwide and starred in movies such as Grease and Xanadu, died in August, aged 73.

Members of Newton-John’s family also gave touching tributes, with her husband, John Easterling, saying she was a “healer”.

“You have to understand, I wasn’t an Olivia fan, I didn’t know any Olivia music, I’d never even seen Grease,” he began to laughs from the audience.

“But at this small theatre in Miami, she started singing Pearls on a Chain, and there was this healing moving through the audience. And it hit me like a laser beam in the chest, that Olivia was a healer, and this was one of her mediums of healing.”

Easterling faltered throughout his speech, but was able to recall some of the conversations in the lead up to their engagement.

“We’d each had some hard times in our life before, like everyone has.”

John Easterling speaks during the state memorial service for Olivia Newton-John in Melbourne. Photograph: James Ross/EPA

“And we were just talking about how lucky we were, to have found each other, and how in love we were and how much happiness we were experiencing.”

“In an order of magnitude where we thought maybe we should feel guilty because we were so happy, but we decided we’d feel gratitude and just let the happiness run at full throttle.”

Newton-John’s daughter, Chloe Lattanzi, followed with an emotive speech that was met with a standing ovation, where she remembered how loving her mother was.

Chloe Lattanzi shared her memories of her mother to a standing ovation. Photograph: James Ross/AAP

“We loved watching our trashy TV shows together and immediately changed the channel when John walked in the room. We pretended we were watching educational shows about plant medicine,” she remembered.

“My favourite thing to do was watch her watching the birds and the flowers, smelling her roses and the joy it brought to her face was a thing of beauty. I loved making her tea and then making it five times again until I got it right.

“I loved our snuggles. I would crawl into bed with her late at night, even if I was 20 years old. I loved the way she smelled. I love how she loved fully and completely.”

Many viewers took to social media to share how touching the service was, and how much they loved Newton-John:

Delta Goodrem performing a medley to finish the service. Photograph: James Ross/EPA

Australian singer Delta Goodrem took to the stage to sing a medley of Newton-John’s most popular hits, to a mostly rapturous audience in person and online:

A host of stars paid tribute to Newton-John via video link, with Sir Elton John saying her “bravery and optimism” would stay with him for ever.

“She was such a wonderful force of nature, she was funny, kind, warm and talented and every time we got together we laughed and laughed and laughed. Throughout her career I have watched her grow and grow and grow to be the artist she became.”

Country star Dolly Parton said she “honestly loved” Newton John, and said she grieved along with Australia.

“As a country, you should be very proud and know that the whole world mourns with you. Now, I had the honour of singing with her several times. I considered her a great friend as well as a fellow entertainer. Olivia, to quote one of your songs, “I honestly love you”. Thank you for shining your light on us.”

Veteran Australian television reporter and Newton-John friend Richard Wilkins, delivered a tribute on behalf of the entertainment industry, where he remembered her generosity and “nurturing” presence.

“While she was a huge global star, it took a certain character to embrace the role and maintain it. It took a capacity and willingness to be a public figure and to do so with integrity, wholeheartedly and consistently.”

Television and radio personality Richard Wilkins speaks during a state memorial service for Olivia Newton-John. Photograph: James Ross/AAP

Two staff members at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research centre also paid tribute to the late star, praising her dedication and passion for the cause.

“When talking to our students, it was Olivia’s warmth and her easygoing personality, her authenticity that reinforced their conviction to dedicate their careers to one of the most destructive health challenges of our time,” Prof Matthias Ernst said.