Australian entertainer Olivia Newton-John received the Lifetime Achievement award at the annual G'Day LA: Australia Week gala Saturday Jan 14 2006 in Los Angeles.
"I'm just thrilled," Newton-John, 57, told AP Television News. "Listen: I've lived several lifetimes, I think - and this is another one. And I'm just thrilled to be here and I'm thrilled! I'm going to enjoy every moment. Instead of being nervous, I'm gonna just enjoy every second, because life is short and fleeting, and the good moments aren't always there, so I'm very happy."
Dozens of Newton-John's fellow Australians attended the event, held at the historic Hollywood Palladium. Among them: members of the rock band INXS, complete with new band member JD Fortune; Tony-winning actor Hugh Jackman and his actor-wife Deborra-Lee Furness, and "Munich" star Eric Bana - all fans of the night's honoree.
"Yes, Olivia knows, as I've confessed this a long time ago to having plenty of posters of her in my bedroom as a child," Bana said. "So, yeah, I've embarrassed myself before. I've embarrassed myself before in front of Olivia. So, that's OK." "I had a crush on her, too," confessed Furness. "I wanted to get physical," she continued, laughing. Added Jackman, "Well, I grew up absolutely in love with Olivia, like every boy or man in Australia, and woman. I mean, she's universally loved there. And she's a singer, she's an actor. She can do everything. She really is a great Australian. And she's done amazing things on a charitable basis."
Presenting Newton-John's award was her "Grease" co-star John Travolta, who attended the gala with actress-wife Kelly Preston. "Well, Olivia has one of the more important careers of our generation," Travolta said. "She put Australia on the map in America for entertainers. And she opened the door for all of the great gifts we've gotten from Australia. So, she deserves it more than anybody."
John came out to introduce her. He said she is Australia's Number 1 ambassador, and she put the country on the map in entertainment. he said she is loyal, loving, and the kind a friend a friend would want. He told of how he wanted her to play Sandy, but that when the producers said "She's AUSTRALIAN!" He said "REALLY?!" He truly cares for her, that was evident in his emotion as he spoke. He said "She HAS to play Sandy: she's hot, she is the number one singer in the world, and every man and boy wants her to be his girlfriend. And even today, when she walks in the room, "I GET CHILLS, THEY'RE Multiplyin', and I'm losin control, cause the power you're supplyin', it's ELECTRIFYIN"!!! The crowd stood and cheer and clapped!!
Olivia spoke very eloquently, thanking the Farrars, Steven Kipner, John, but said that her greatest lifetime achievement was Chloe. She ended by saying there were 3 people that were not there, and that she had to thank. "Irene and Brin, who gave me life and love, and Patrick, who gave me love and life." John Travolta, who was offstage just slightly out of sight, came on and hugged her dearly.
Olivia with Kelly Preston and John Travolta
