The world has lost a true Hollywood legend, Olivia Newton John has passed away at the age of 73
Olivia rose to stardom for her remarkable performance in hit musical “Grease” where she co-starred alongside Actor John Travolta, in 1978.
She was just 29 years of age, playing the role of an innocent teen in love with the bad boy.
Together, they won hearts across the world, bringing in a whopping $395 million USD from the box office.
A movie star turned cancer advocate, Newton-John spent much of her later years fiercely fighting for awareness and further research.
We take a look back on her life, her legacy and the hole she is leaving behind
Long before Olivia Newton John became a household name in Hollywood, she started from a home in Melbourne.
Born in Cambridge 1948, her family emigrated to Australia. The youngest of three children. Her teenage years saw her became a major drawcard on the Happy Show.
But the bight lights of Melbourne in the 1970s could never contain that voice.
She moved to the UK and in 1974 represented the Britain in the Eurovision song contest.
Australian trailblazer Helen Ready encouraged Olivia to move to the United States where she quickly climbed the charts.
She certainly had somewhere else to go – Rydell High.
She scored the role in the film adaptation of the Broadway hit, despite her concerns about being 29, playing a high school senior, insisting on a screen test with John Travolta.
Now the girl from Melbourne, was now a Hollywood star.
And there was nowhere to hide – Grease became the biggest box office hit of 1978. Olivia Newton John’s career soared
Just like Sandys transformation in the film, Olivia was ready for a new spandex clad image, just in time for the 80s.
Pioneering an iconic look and telling us all…”let’s get physical”
Physical smashed the charts, before she starred alongside Gene Kelly in her second major film, playing the star.
In 1986 she gave birth to her daughter Chloe and resumed her career in the early 90s, before she was diagnosed with cancer – receiving the diagnosis the same weekend her father died.
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 19: Actress/singer Olivia Newton-John (L) and daughter actress/singer Chloe Lattanzi attend ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Season 21 at CBS Televison City on October 19, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)
She survived and became an advocate for breast cancer research, teaming with the Victorian government to create the Olivia Newton John cancer wellness and research centre in Melbourne.
Leading a three week, 230km walk along the great ocean road to raise funds.
Forever passionate about the environment. She cancelled a tour of Japan over the slaughter of dolphins.
She battled in her personal life too. Her partner Patrick McDermott disappeared on a fishing trip in 2005. Her daughter faced health problems
Through all her battles, she continued performing.
An immortal Australian performer, a passional advocate for health, the voice of a generation.
Australian diplomats’ families in Israel and Lebanon urged to evacuate amid rising tensions; all Australians advised to leave soon.
Families of Australian diplomats in Israel and Lebanon have been ordered to evacuate as tensions in the region continue to rise. The government is prioritising the safety of its personnel and their families.
All other Australians have been urged to leave while commercial flights and other travel options are still available. Authorities are emphasising the importance of acting quickly before options become limited.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has warned that the security situation in the Middle East remains unpredictable and volatile.
Trump warns Iran on nuclear weapons and highlights threats, as the US boosts military presence amid stalled talks.
President Donald Trump laid out a strong warning to Iran during his State of the Union address. He labelled Tehran as the world’s biggest sponsor of terrorism and signalled that the U.S. might take action if Iran continues its nuclear ambitions.
Trump emphasised that Iran’s missile and nuclear programs, along with its backing of militant groups, pose serious threats to regional stability.
This comes amid growing concerns over Iran’s nuclear developments and the stalled diplomatic efforts to curb them.
In Short:
– Qantas reported a $1.46 billion half-year profit, planning to create 8,500 jobs by 2030.
– Frequent Flyer program changes include earning status credits on the ground and rolling over excess credits.
The Qantas Group reported a record half-year profit of $1.46 billion for the first half of the 2026 financial year, an increase of $71 million compared to the previous period. The airline plans to create 8,500 jobs by 2030 and re-establish a cabin crew base in Singapore, along with new initiatives for frequent flyers.Statutory profit after tax rose to $925 million, allowing shareholders to receive a fully franked dividend of 19.8 cents per share.
The current underlying profit surpasses the record set in 2023 under former CEO Alan Joyce. Chief executive Vanessa Hudson highlighted a commitment to customer, employee, and shareholder satisfaction while emphasizing ongoing investments in fleet renewal.
As Qantas adds new aircraft to its fleet, it anticipates the creation of jobs, including 3,500 additional cabin crew and 1,000 pilots.
A new Jetstar cabin crew base will open in Perth later this year, generating 90 roles, while Singapore is expected to accommodate 400 cabin crew members.
Qantas CEo Vanessa Hudson.
Frequent Flyer Changes
Qantas will implement significant changes to its Frequent Flyer program. Members can now earn status credits on the ground through credit cards and program partners.
They will also have the option to rollover up to 50% of excess status credits from one year to the next.
Hudson stated the overhaul aims to enhance flexibility and recognition for members amid a changing loyalty landscape.