Olivia Newton-John's state memorial service confirmed, here's what you need to know
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA: Australian fans will be able to attend or watch along as they bid farewell to beloved star Olivia Newton-John during a state tribute that has finally been announced. Newton-John died of cancer at her ranch in Southern California last August 8 at the age of 73.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced February 2 that a free state memorial service will be held February 26 to honor the cultural icon. The actress left a lasting legacy through her art and the Melbourne-based Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Center, Andrews said, describing her as a "person of grace, energy and vitality"
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Memorial to be held in Hamer Hall, Melbourne
“She took her cancer journey and used that to save lives and change lives, and that’s just a deeply impressive thing,” the premier said after her death. "As a lasting testament to her character and her generous spirit, we have the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre. The research that’s done there, the treatment, the care, the love and support that is central to that place is a lasting legacy to the person that she was,” he added.
Fans will have the opportunity to bid farewell to the legend at Hamer Hall in the Arts Center Melbourne. Andrews explained that Newton-John had been a role model for people all over the world. “Her work in cancer research and treatment saved lives and changed lives and her music was the soundtrack to a generation,” he said. “We know Victorians are eager to celebrate the life of a driving force in medical research and an icon of film and music, with a service befitting her international acclaim,” added Andrews.
How to watch the state memorial
The event is open to the public but requires registration and will require tickets based on the venue's capacity. Registration for tickets will begin at 12.00 pm on Friday, February 10. As reported by 7News.com.au, the event will also be live-streamed on the state government's website.
Why was the memorial delayed?
Andrews stated in August that the government would "of course" speak with John's Newton family to arrange a proper state funeral to honor their life and music. Arrangements for the funeral, however, were not announced until nearly six months after her death, although the prime minister had previously acknowledged that "outstanding issues" would delay the process. “We continue to work with the family. The most important thing is that their wishes are at the forefront of this,” he said in January.
“It hasn’t been settled. There’s still outstanding issues and we continue to work with the family and that’s a little bit challenging because obviously some are here and most are over in the US and it’s a matter of making sure we have an agreed way forward. We are absolutely respectful that their wishes have to be at the centre of this.”
After her initial diagnosis in 1992, Newton-John publicly battled breast cancer and immediately developed a great enthusiasm for supporting cancer research. This was the impetus for her to establish Austin Health's Cancer and Research Center, which provides cancer treatments as well as conducts innovative clinical trials and cancer research.