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Olivia Newton-John Is Remembered In State Memorial

Family, friends and stars across the globe said goodbye.
Olivia Newton-John's daughter, Chloe Lattanzi, gives tribute at the state memorial
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Olivia Newton-John has been farewelled with a state memorial service at Melbourneโ€™s Hamer Hall. 

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The service saw friends, family and fans gather to say their final goodbyes to the Grease star, who passed in August 2022 after a 20-year-battle with breast cancer.

Olivia-newton-john
Olivia Newton-John was remembered at a state funeral in Melbourne. (Credit: Getty)

Newton-Johnโ€™s husband John Easterling, described his wife as โ€œa little bit of magic.โ€ 

โ€œAt her most difficult times, she always had the spirit, the humour and the willpower to move things into the light,โ€ Easterling said. 

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While most of us know Newton-John for her time in the spotlight, Easterling said, โ€œwhat made her most happy was being on the ranch, with the horses, chickens, cats, sitting in the courtyard, just listening to bird songs.โ€

This sentiment was echoed by Newton Johnโ€™s daughter Chloe Lattanzi, who also payed an emotional tribute to her late-mother. 

โ€œMum could find the beauty in everything,โ€ she said.

โ€œMy favourite thing to do was watch her watching the birds and the flowers, smelling her roses.

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โ€œAnd the joy it brought to her face was a thing of beauty.โ€

Lattanzi shared her grief with the thousands gathered to remember Newton-John, telling the emotional crowd, โ€œI feel like a little girl lost without her mother.โ€ 

โ€œShe was my safe space, my guide, my biggest fan and the earth beneath my feet.โ€

Lattanzi described her heart as broken in two, explaining, โ€œthe other half is with my mamma,โ€ she said, โ€œI know she is holding it for me until we meet again.โ€

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Chloe Lattanzi
Chloe Lattanzi paid tribute to her late-mother. (Credit: Getty)

The memorial service was filled with star-studded tributes from famous faces across the globe. 

In one video tribute, Dolly Parton thanked the singer for โ€œshining your light on usโ€ and in another, Sir Elton John described the actress as โ€œkind, she was warm and she was talentedโ€, while stating that her bravery and optimism would stay with him forever.

Tributes also came from Hugh Jackman, RuPaul Charles, Pink, Mariah Carey, The Bee Geesโ€™ Sir Barry Gibb, Nicole Kidman and Sir Cliff Richard, who spoke of their love and respect for the late star. 

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But it was Delta Goodremโ€™s musical tribute that didnโ€™t leave a dry eye in the hall, with the singer taking to the stage to perform a medley of Newton-Johnโ€™s songs. 

Delta Goodrem
Delta Goodrem paid tribute with a musical melody. (Credit: Getty)

After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, Newton-John dedicated much of her life to fundraising and promoting cancer research.

The starโ€™s charity work was given special mention, with Matthias Ernst from the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute telling the audience how the star โ€œgenerously donated her time and personally shared her passionโ€ with many of the laboratory staff at the centre. 

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โ€œIt was Oliviaโ€™s warmth and her easy going personality, her authenticity that reinforced their conviction to dedicate their careers to one of the most destructive health challenges of our time,โ€ Professor Ernst said.

She also told the audience how critically ill patients were left โ€œbeamingโ€ after interacting with Newton-John. 

โ€œNot because sheโ€™s a superstar but because of the understanding that comes from a shared human experience,โ€ Professor Ernst said.

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