By CHARLIE COË FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA
She is one of her country's greatest treasures who was announced on the Australia Day honours list earlier this year.
And on Wednesday, Olivia Newton John, 70, broke down into tears as she was presented with a Companion of the Order of Australia.
The Grease star shared the moment with 30 of those closest to her at a Los Angeles home as the medal was hung around her neck, The Australian reported. After being presented with the award by Australian ambassador to the US Joe Hockey, Olivia thanked the small gathering for taking in the occasion with her.
'Thank you for this gorgeous medal, I'm so thrilled to be sharing this big honour with you,' she said.
'I'll continue to do the best for the country I love.'
Speaking after the momentous moment, Oliva said she definitely had some pre-event jitters before receiving the highly-coveted award.
'It's huge for me. I started getting nervous yesterday when I thought 'wow this is really happening.''
The top gong comes as it was revealed in September last year Olivia is battling cancer for a third time.
Read more at https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-7133375/Olivia-Newton-John-cries-awarded-Companion-Order-Australia-Los-Angeles.html
For Olivia Newton-John, the past two years have been the most testing of her long and remarkable life, so what unfolded in the garden of a home in Los Angeles yesterday could not help but make her cry.
In front of her family and closest friends the singer, actress and philanthropist who is battling her third bout of cancer was presented with Australia’s highest honour, the Companion of the Order of Australia.
Newton-John, 70, has experienced the highs of global fame in her five-decade career in entertainment, including her iconic role as Sandy alongside John Travolta in Grease, and the lows of a 27-year battle with cancer.
Late last year, when reports said she was near death after her cancer returned for the third time in 2017, she was forced to rebut the claims in a video in which she said “rumours of my death have been greatly exaggerated’’.
Her AC reflects not only her career as an entertainer but also her work as a global voice in the fight against cancer, a commitment that spurred her to establish the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre in her home town of Melbourne.
As Australia’s ambassador to the US, Joe Hockey, placed the AC medal around her neck she shouted “Woohoo!’’, throwing her hands in the air and flashing that smile. “Thank you for this gorgeous medal, I’m so thrilled to be sharing this big honour with you,” she said to the crowd of about 30 of her nearest and dearest. “I’ll continue to do the best for the country I love.”
At that point, despite her best efforts, the tears began to flow. In presenting her medal, Mr Hockey spoke of a life that has transcended Australia and entertainment.
“You are being recognised by your nation not just because we are proud of you but because you have changed the world,” he said.
“It is not just because of your singing, songwriting, acting — that’s the stuff that has lit up so many faces … but you are doing it now from a philanthropy perspective, simply by illustrating to the world you never give up. You never walk away from any challenge. You are the most optimistic person I have ever met.”
Daughter Chloe Lattanzi said the award was “beautiful because she was being honoured for who she is as a human being, not just … a hit single. She was honoured because she gives so much to other people and she is honoured for her heart and her heart is the most beautiful thing about her.’’
Newton-John told The Australian the award was one of the most important moments in her life. “Thank you to all the Australians who have shown love and support over the years both for me personally and also for the cancer centre — I’ve had such wonderful support from everybody.
“It’s huge for me. I started getting nervous yesterday when I thought ‘wow this is really happening’.”
When asked about her health, she said it was “pretty good”.
“It is as good as I look, I think. I hope that’s a good thing,” she said.
CAMERON STEWART WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/olivia-newtonjohns-tears-as-medal-is-one-that-she-wants/news-story/014b5eeac4701fb32a1443da6b5e3790
Congratulations @olivianj on receiving your well deserved honor for all that you do! 💫 Companion of the Order of #Australia! What a lovely day it was. 💫 #CompanionoftheOrderAustralia #OliviaNewtonJohn 💫 📷 Me :) pic.twitter.com/ao7yN3BVQ5— Yvette Nipar (@YvetteNipar) 12 juin 2019
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