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Joseph Dunstan and Yara Murray-Atfield

Dame Olivia Newton-John farewelled in Australian memorial service — as it happened

John Easterling pays tribute to wife Olivia Newton-John.

Thousands gathered at Hamer Hall to bid a star-studded farewell to the extraordinary Australian entertainer and cancer patient advocate Dame Olivia Newton-John.

Look back at how the emotional tributes flowed in our live blog.

To leave a comment on the blog, please log in or sign up for an ABC account.

Live updates

That's all from us here on the blog

By Joseph Dunstan

Thanks for joining us.

You can catch up the service in Yara's wrap below, and on the ABC iview website a little later.

'Wow' sums it up

By Yara Murray-Atfield

Helen sums up the emotions of today's star-studded service:

Absolutely overcome with emotion whilst watching the tribute to Olivia Newton-John.

An outstanding tribute by all who participated and outstanding musical tribute by Delta Goodrem, Wow! ❤️

The emotion on this fan's face says it all

By Joseph Dunstan

Thanks for sharing in today's state memorial

By Joseph Dunstan

It's been so beautiful to read all your stories and help tell the story of a woman whose generosity and compassion touched so many people.

Her family have encouraged those wanting to support her legacy to consider a donation to the cancer centre she helped create to offer compassionate, kinder care for people with cancer.

(Supplied)

You can find more information at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre.

Missed the service? You'll be able to catch up on iview

By Joseph Dunstan

If you've missed the service, rest easy — we'll have it up on ABC iview later today and you'll have a week to catch up.

It was a star-studded farewell to the global superstar, with tributes flowing from celebrities including Nicole Kidman and Sir Elton John.

Hollywood stars pay tribute to Olivia Newton-John

If you missed it, here's a little of the tribute from Newton-John's daughter

By Joseph Dunstan

Chloe Lattanzi said she could hear her mother's voice guiding her.

"You are safe, my darling, don't be afraid."

Olivia Newton-John's daughter pays emotional tribute

Feeling emotional? You're far from alone

By Joseph Dunstan

Thanks to those of you writing in through the comments section here on the blog - here are just some of your tributes:

Ivano: The world feels less caring without her, but hope more follow her example... RIP Olivia!

Debra: The best

Susan: The most beautiful of beautifuls

For many fans, Grease was the soundtrack to their youth. (Supplied)

Natty: Hey Joseph 😔 Hey Yara 😔 I can't say much, just Olivia was my 80s childhood. A beautiful person. I miss her already.

Dayle: You are a beautiful lady who has done wonderful work for other cancer survivors . With your strength and courage all things are possible. You have given love, hope and peace to all with your amazing voice and music. Your beautiful words in music will live on. Your kind and loving heart is an inspiration to us all. We will always love you . Rest In Peace beautiful lady. Xxoo

Newton-John's family shared a photo tribute including snaps from her youth. (Supplied)

Emilie: Olivia was one of my childhood idols and came into my life with Grease. Still the best musical, which is playing frequently here in Sweden! Thankfull for the internet so I can follow your celebrations from the other side of the world!

Judi: The world has lost a beautiful soul. And heaven has gained and angel. RIP Olivia 😘😘😘

Memorabilia from Newton-John's star-studded life is on show in Melbourne

By Joseph Dunstan

After forging a glittering career overseas, Newton-John came back to Australia in 1980 to perform at the Royal Charity Concert in Sydney.

Dame Olivia Newton-John performed before the late Queen. (ABC News: Simon Winter)

At the Opera House, she joined Helen Reddy, John Farnham and Peter Allen as they performed before the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Newton-John sang Waltzing Matilda at the charity night.

The red gown worn at the charity concert has been put on display at Hamer Hall today.

The sensational dress worn by Newton-John four decades ago is on show in Melbourne. (ABC News: Simon Winter)

The service has come to a close

By Joseph Dunstan

After dozens of emotional tributes to Dame Olivia Newton-John's achievements as musician, mother, wife, aunty, tireless cancer patient advocate and healer, the state memorial service has drawn to a close.

Olivia Newton-John smiles, standing beneath a rainbow.

'The most beautiful, selfless, gifted person'

By Joseph Dunstan

There are dozens of tributes from ABC readers sharing their memories of Dame Olivia Newton-John.

Nellie, an astrologer, ran into the star in a cafe, and later found herself later offering a reading to Newton-John and her sister, Rona.

Years later, she got back in touch.

Nellie says she and her daughters often used to dress up to perform Physical.

"A few months before Olivia passed I emailed her asking if she had time, could she send Karen my daughter who was turning 50 a birthday message," Nellie says.

"She immediately responded with a happy birthday song and a beautiful message.

"Karen was so touched as we all were.

"Olivia was the most beautiful, selfless, gifted person who made such an impact on so many many lives.

"We will always be in awe and she will forever be in our heart."

A musical medley spanning decades of smash hits

By Joseph Dunstan

Singer-songwriter Delta Goodrem, who played Newton-John in a TV miniseries, steps up for a musical tribute.

She opens with an instrumental-backed rendition of 1981 hit Physical, which then becomes a medley.

Delta Goodrem's tribute encompasses the breadth of Newton-John's musical styles. (AAP: James Ross)

Goodrem then transitions through Xanadu, You're the One that I Want and the more country-style Let Me Be There.

Zig-zagging back to Grease, we hear Hopelessly Devoted To You before things slow down a gear with I Honestly Love You, with the crowd invited to wave their lit phones in the air.

A packed Hamer Hall was moved by Delta Goodrem's performance. (ABC News: Simon Winter)

'A huge global star' with a 'nurturing' presence

By Yara Murray-Atfield

Wilkins says "When many picked up a California drawl the first time they touch down at LAX, her Aussie accent got a little bit stronger every day".

"And didn't we love her for that," he says.

He says Newton-Johns performances and music have been "indelibly stamped on the DNA of generations", from Sandy in Grease to the leg warmers in the Physical film clip.

But despite that, he says, "she was never arrogant or gloating".

"She was always so happy for others, eager to support and assist at every opportunity," he says.

"Fame is a double-edged sword and Olivia embraced the accolades and accepted the unrelenting exposure as part of the job description.

"Whether on the street or an A-list event, Olivia switched her attention from stranger to friend, adult to child, colleague to fan, with seamless grace.

"No small feat to do that for more than half a century through all the challenges and scrutiny of a very full and public life.

"At the end of the day, Olivia will not only be remembered for the wonderful music, the fabulous films and all those awards. The record sales, chart positions, box office receipts but for the life and light she brought into the world and received in return."

'No-one has a bad word to say' about Newton-John

By Yara Murray-Atfield

Richard Wilkins is speaking now, on behalf of the entertainment industry.

He says it was "a community that Olivia loved and respected so much and vice versa".

(ABC News)

"There are not too many people who have ever set foot on this planet, let alone forged a career in the entertainment industry, about whom no-one has a bad word to say," he says.

"Olivia Newton-John was one such rarity.

"From those early days when she left this magnificent city to take on the world with her girl-next-door demeanour and that beautiful, pure pitch-perfect voice that could thread the eye of a needle, she had us at g'day."

Meanwhile, people are paying their respects at Federation Square

By Yara Murray-Atfield

A group of people and pets are watching a stream of the service at the nearby Federation Square. (ABC News)

A special combination of warmth and optimism

By Joseph Dunstan

Sir Elton John says Newton-John's bravery and optimism will stay with him forever.

"She was kind, she was warm and she was talented," he says.

"Every time we got together we laughed, and laughed and laughed."

A 'beautiful soul' whose legacy will last forever

By Joseph Dunstan

Keith Urban says Olivia Newton-John was there at the beginning of his and Nicole Kidman's relationship and will always be special to him.

He says her humanitarian legacy has improved the lives of millions of people and will live forever.

(ABC News)

Entertainer RuPaul pays tribute to a "beautiful soul".

"I will miss her but she has left a legacy that goes on forever," the drag icon says.

"I love you Olivia, my friend."

(ABC News)

Hugh Jackman says "like the entire world" he was obsessed with Grease when it was released and meeting her years later was something he'll never forget.

Tina Arena says Newton-John's "extraordinary contribution" to society will endure.

'I looked up to her so much'

By Joseph Dunstan

Singer Pink says Dame Olivia Newton-John was an "angel" filled with light.

"My heart is with her family, I know this is an awful time and I hope that they find some comfort in just how universally loved she was," she says.

The Bee Gees' Sir Barry Gibb says making music with her was the "greatest pleasure" and he will remember her courage forever.

Singer Mariah Carey says as a little girl she loved Newton-John "so much".

"I looked up to her so much and loved her songs and when I got to meet her she was just as nice as she was a star and talented," she says.

Celebrity tributes begin to flow

By Joseph Dunstan

Some big names who can't be in Melbourne today have shared video tributes.

Dolly Parton says the world has lost a "great talent" with Olivia's passing.

Dolly Parton sits in a chair.

"Olivia, to quote one of your songs, I honestly love you and thank you for shining your light on us," Parton says.

Nicole Kidman says she grew up listening to Newton-John, performing songs at school.

Nicole Kidman speaks on a couch.

"I was like, 'I want to be Olivia Newton-John', so to be able to be able to pay tribute to her tonight is incredibly important to all of us," she says.

Sir Cliff Richard says it's been a terrible loss of a woman whose "heart was always in Australia".

"I'd like to rip my heart out and leave it with all of you and just say Olivia, you have done so much for us just being the human being that you are."

A 'visionary' who transformed the face of cancer treatment

By Joseph Dunstan

Debbie Shiell speaks next from the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre.

She says Newton-John was a "visionary" who knew what the centre needed to deliver holistic care for patients.

"She knew that cancer was more than just a physical journey," she says.

She says while that's accepted now, it was "groundbreaking" at the time and Newton-John was a pioneer in the field.

"There was something about that smile that would just light up the room," she says.

She recalls meeting a critically ill patient who Newton-John had visited.

"It shouldn't have been a surprise to me to see him still beaming from the day before," she says.

"I'm sure you can imagine the feeling Olivia left patients with. Not because she's a superstar but because ... Olivia was a healer."

Debbie Shiell is emotional as she says the centre will continue to honour Newton-John's vision as they move forward.

"This might be the end of an era, but it is the beginning of a legacy," she says.

A vocal advocate for better cancer treatments

By Joseph Dunstan

On behalf of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, cancer medicine specialist Matthias Ernst joins the tributes.

Professor Ernst says Newton-John's support was a critical pillar in growing the institute's cancer expertise and international recognition.

Matthias Ernest speaks.

"During Olivia's many visits to Melbourne she generously donated her time and personally shared her passion with many of my colleagues working at the laboratory bench," he says.

"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."

Professor Ernst says Newton-John always trusted the staff expertise to find less invasive and kinder treatments for cancer, wherever they may lie.

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