Olivia's Magical Tour
Xanadu might be a place of magic and mystery but for Olivia Newton-John there was no shortage of magic when she came home to Australia for her movie’s premiere. Among the thousands who turned out to welcome her home were the Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser, her family, Shirley Strachan and his TV kangaroo Norm, former flatmate Chantal Contouri, her favorite football team, Carlton, Don Lane, “Molly” Meldrum and many other TV personalities and friends from her Australian TV years.
As well, the Australian public got right into the act. Everywhere crowds turned out to see her, but probably the high-point was in Melbourne’s City Square, where several thousand people, of all ages and including many family groups, gave her a greeting worthy of royalty. And there was that special guest to show off, too handsome former co-star John Travolta, who quashed all those romance stories about him and Olivia but made no bones about their close friendship. The pair managed to spend some time together, at dinner, at the movie Breaker Morant roundly acclaimed by John and at various other hometown venues that Olivia had promised to show her Grease co-star. For Olivia, it was an overwhelming few days which started with a gala night in Sydney. She enjoyed it all and received the acclaim with the modesty and charm which has helped make her the superstar she now is. They say all the world loves a real star and in Olivia’s case she showed herself worthy of that love.
At her Melbourne press conference, Olivia credited “the people around me” as the ones responsible for helping her to make it to the height of success she enjoys today. These days there are always people around her but for many different reasons. She’s a star who should never be lonely! Her flying visit to one-time home base, Melbourne, certainly proved that. It began with a jam-packed press conference at The Windsor, with reporters and photographers inching, occasionally surging, closer to capture that special look she was expected to give each of them.
What probably made it all bearable for her was a visit from a kangaroo Norm the Kangaroo, his mate Ol’Possum and their mate, Shirley Strachan. The Shirl’s Neighborhood threesome certainly surprised her. She even blushed when they gave her flowers. “I’ve never spoken to a kangaroo before,” she volunteered. A civic reception was next, where the Lord Mayor, Cr Jack Woodruff, gave Olivia the key to the City of Melbourne. Then came the premiere of her new movie, Xanadu, and a special guest appearance on the Don Lane Show.
A party at the Underground disco attended by friends and family followed, rounding off a hectic day. The next morning it was a rehearsal for the Countdown-Xanadu dance contest followed by the TV telecast and another party. Whew!
Saturday, Olivia took time off to spend a day at the football, watching her favorite team, Carlton, play Ian ‘Molly’ Meldrum’s team, St. Kilda. And she was in good company the Prime Minister, Malcolm Fraser, was there and the two chatted over lunch before the game. A picnic in the country with John Travolta the next day rounded off a frantic visit by Olivia, and she jetted home to Hollywood.