Olivia Newton-John still a Melbourne girl as her wellness walk goes global

SUPERSTAR Olivia Newton-John says she’s still a Melbourne girl at heart who will always hear the roar of an MCG footy crowd or animals at the Parkville zoo, as she prepares to relaunch her wellness walk.

Olivia Newton-John and Kylie Pascetta at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre. Picture: Nicole Cleary

SUPERSTAR Olivia Newton-John says at heart she’s still a Melbourne girl, who will always hear the roar of an MCG footy crowd or the animals at Melbourne Zoo.

Newton-John, who is home to relaunch her Wellness Walk and Research Run in September, said growing up in Melbourne set her up for global stardom.

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“We lived at Jolimont next to the MCG,” Newton-John said. “I used to hear the roar of the footy crowd coming through every weekend.

“We also lived in Parkville next to the animals, so I’d hear the lions roaring every morning”.

Olivia Newton-John with patient Giovanni Fongaro. Picture: Nicole Cleary

She said with a smile: “I’ve savoured all the fun parts of Melbourne, and kept them with me”.

From here, Newton-John conquered the world with pop hits such as Physical and Magic, and movies Grease and Xanadu.

“Melbourne helped shape me for success because I got my first training in show business here,” Newton-John said, citing classic TV variety shows Time For Terry, The Happy Show and The Go!! Show, where she regularly performed as a teenager.

“There are not many places in the world where you can get all that experience,” she said. “It gave me good stead when I went overseas.”

Newton-John, now based in LA, is fighting a second battle with breast cancer.

Olivia Newton-John with bone marrow transplant recipient Sharon Mydlar. Picture: Nicole Cleary

She visited patients at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre in Heidelberg yesterday, and will today announce new initiatives for her annual wellness walk.

The event will become a global experience, where walkers across the world can take part and show their support.

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“Walking symbolises going forward in life,” Newton-John said.

“I think people like to be a part of something positive where everybody is together. It’s a symbol of hope.”

The Melbourne walk takes place at La Trobe University’s Bundoora campus on September 16.

Registrations now open at wellnesswalkresearchrun.com.au