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John Farnham family exclusive: “Dad inspires us every day”

As John Farnham recovers from a battle with cancer, ahead of a new film about the legendary Australian singer’s life, family and friends share his deeply personal story with The Weekly.

• The Australian Women's Weekly 
• 20 Apr 2023
• WORDS by SUE SMETHURST

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In August last year, the nation held its collective breath when the Farnham family announced that their adored husband and father, John, would immediately undergo a marathon 13-hour surgery after finding a cancerous tumour in his mouth. The diagnosis was an especially brutal blow because John was still reeling from the passing of his dear friend, Olivia Newton-John, just weeks earlier, and the sudden death that February of his long-time manager and best mate, Glenn Wheatley, from complications related to COVID-19.

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The biopic had John’s blessing, but when it came time for him to be interviewed, he was so bereft from Glenn’s loss, he felt unable to speak. So, Gaynor called the one person who could always buck John up, his long-time friend, Dame Olivia Newton-John.

“John was really sad,” Gaynor explains, “so I thought ‘I’ll ring Olivia.

She knows exactly what to say.’ And of course she did. In typical Olivia style, she said, ‘Yeah darling, I’ll give him a call. He needs a kick up the backside!’”

It worked a charm and with Olivia’s voice ringing in his ears, the ARIA Hall of Fame inductee opened up about his family, friends and his incredible career, and the film was back on track.

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Little could they have known that Olivia, who was also interviewed for the film, would soon pass, the news breaking as John was driving to hospital for a pre-surgery meeting with his own medical team.

“Olivia’s death was another huge blow for John, for everyone,” Gaynor says. “Two people he really loved and respected gone in a short period of time. It totally changed the context of the film. It’s even more precious to us now because it was Olivia and Glenn’s last interviews and then John … It’s quite profound when you watch it, and takes it beyond whatever Glenn imagined it would be. It's something I’m really proud of.”