LIVVY WAS PURE MAGIC!

THE GIRL FROM MELBOURNE WAS THE ONE THAT WE WANTED

-  Glen Williams

The smile that says hello, it's good to see you', any time I turn around to find you there." This lyric from Olivia's 1974 hit 'If You Love Me, Let Me Know' instantly conjures the genuine warmth of the much-loved superstar. How we cherished her, and how her beautiful smile and voice enchanted us all.

Born in England in 1948 to Irene and Brinley Newton John, Olivia moved with her family to Melbourne in 1954. By the time she was 14, the sweet-voiced schoolgirl was a regular on local television shows Time for Terry and The Happy Show, where she was affectionately dubbed "Lovely Livvy".

The turning point in Olivia's career came with her appearance on The Go!! Show. Here, she met future duet partner Pat Carroll, as well as the producer and songwriter of her many hits, John Farrar. John and Pat would go on to marry and remain Olivia's friends for life.

In 1965, Olivia won a talent contest on Sing Sing Sing, hosted by Johnny O'Keefe. The prize was a trip to Great Britain. Olivia was reluctant to go as she wanted to stay with her boyfriend, entertainer Ian Turpie.