Golden Night Of Stars

80s

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Olivia Newton-John article Olivia Newton-John article Olivia Newton-John article

Hollywood's Aussies stole the Olympic limelight with a star-studded dinkum barbie all the stars considered the 'in' place to be.

EVEN the Americans were singing along when Olivia Newton-John, Pat Farrar, Billy Thorpe, John Farnham and members of The Little River Band serenaded the visiting Australian Olympic team with Waltzing Matilda at Olivia's Australian shop in Los Angeles.

With Fosters in hand and prawns sizzling on the barbie, wide-eyed Aussie Olympians mingled with a star-studded Hollywood guest list, which included John Travolta, David (Knight Rider) Hasselhoff, Kiss guitarist Paul Stanley, and well-known expatriates Peter Allen, Bryan Brown (with seven months-pregnant wife Rachel Ward), Pamela Stephenson and Helen Reddy.

But, as usual, it was the shameless Dame Edna Everage who stole the show, just as she had at the opening of the shop, Koala Blue, last year.

In a specially prepared poem, Dame Edna screeched from a porch above the crowd: Everyone in the U.S.A. agrees, Australia has really caught on overseas, it's marvellous to think Australian beer will soon make people vomit over here.

The Aussies in the crowd roared.

Later Dame Edna, described by one American as 'Australia's tootsie', admitted: I'm a very deeply moved old megastar tonight, to see those golden blazers sprinkled among some of the biggest names in Hollywood, even though I've never heard of any of them.

Olivia and Pat, joint-owners of Koala Blue, dreamed up the party.

Says Olivia: This is the Australian place in L.A. So who else would give a party for the team but us?

The team showed its appreciation through general manager Bill Hoffman, who presented Olivia with an official Australian opening ceremony hat and a plaque for Olivia and Pat which read: Presented in sincere appreciation of your generous hospitality from the Australian Olympic team, 1984.

Photos

  1. Greg Evans chats with Olivia Newton-John and Pat Farrar.
  2. Aussie yachtsman and medal hope Chris Cairns quenches his thirst.
  3. Singer Peter Allen hams it up with Australian team members.
  4. Helen Reddy relaxes at the barbie with husband Milton Ruth.
  5. Kiss guitarist Paul Stanley talks to actresses Lisa Hartman and Candy Clark.
  6. Socialite Christine De Lorean tries some shrimp with yachtsman James Cook.
  7. Dame Edna and zany Pamela Stephenson with frying pan hat.
  8. John Travolta, Dame Edna and Olivia Newton-John share a moment.
  9. Lovely Rachel Ward pours a drink for her koala.
  10. David Hasselhoff enjoyed the party with actress wife Catherine Hickland.

Story: Lindsay Scott. Pictures: Maureen Donaldson