Catherine Strong, RMIT University
Born in Cambridge in 1948, Newton-John moved to Melbourne at age six (becoming one of a myriad of non-Australian celebrities wholeheartedly claimed by this country).
This led to new opportunities for Newton-John as a solo artist. Her first album If Not For You (1971) was a success in the UK and Australia, establishing her as a household name in those countries – and leading to opportunities such as a performance at Eurovision representing the UK in 1974 (she lost to ABBA).
