You don’t often get the chance to have a singalong with an Australian music icon. But two patients in the Wellness Centre were joined by Olivia Newton-John for an impromptu music therapy session today.
Olivia and her daughter, Chloe, visited to Centre to film footage for this season’s series of Dancing with the Stars where Chloe is dancing to raise funds for the Wellness services provided at the ONJ Centre.
Cherie Cheshire, Divisional Director, Cancer and Neurosciences, said it was very special to see Olivia and Chloe singing alongside patients and Music Therapists, Lucy and Kate.
“It’s amazing to see the positive impact Olivia has on patients and staff every time she comes to visit us,” she said.
“She and Chloe sat down with our patients and therapists for three or four songs and even took requests. They weren’t quite sure which song the “the lycra song” was at first but realised pretty quickly our patient, Emma, was hoping to hear ‘Physical’!
“We’re hoping the community will all get behind Chloe this season and vote for her, not only to recognise her wonderful skill as a dancer, but also to support the fantastic work she is doing to help us care for patients on their cancer journey,” Cherie said.
Ten News covered today’s visit and highlighted the Wellness programs available at the Centre including music, art and yoga therapy.
Olivia told Ten that when she walks in the Wellness Centre she says to herself it is exactly how she intended.
“When I was here as a patient, I had art therapy up in my room and that was a huge part of my happiness in my day,” Olivia said.
“With art, whether it’s music or whether it’s painting, you put a lot of yourself into it and it’s very rewarding.
“It’s really wonderful that it’s available for patients and we want to make it more available,” she said.
You can see Chloe in action and vote for her here.
Olivia, Chloe and Gustavo (Chloe's dancing partner) also took a moment to contibute to the mindfulness wall, located in the ONJ Centre.