Olivia Newton John is Awarded Honorary Doctorate from La Trobe University

I noted Olivia Newton John is awarded a degree at La Trobe University. Professor Dewar sits on the Board of the Olivia Newton John Cancer and Wellness Centre (see below).  She is an advocate of holistic health.  She has had cancer.  I’ve just found out she has it again https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2018/09/10/olivia-newton-john-diagnosed-cancer-third-time/1254179002/

I submitted a proposal at this centre to clown in the unit to bring laughter, positive thinking and love to patients.  Unfortunately I couldn’t find the right people to make this happen. My work is inspired by Dr. Patch Adams the famous clown doctor.  He and I clowned in Russia and found that laughter heals as does emotional intelligence. That is a quality I find these days that is not valued in respect of IQ.  I respect intellectuals but I tend to gravitate towards those who are compassionate. I believe in following one’s own passion.

Olivia stated when she had cancer before she had surgery and radiation, she also utilised: meditation, yoga, acupuncture, homeopathy and herbs.  She started her cancer centre in Heidelberg, Melbourne, Australia. She speaks of treating the whole person. Patch Adams believes the same with holistic hospitals based on eco villages.  He says when a person comes in they don’t focus on the problem they focus on the whole person with love and compassion.  This is what I believe heals.

The conflict we experience in the world is based on the belief that one is right.  Olivia is quoted as saying at this event:  “The belief of only one truth and that one self is in the possession of it is the root of all evil in the world.” This is about when people think they are right and are unable to resolve disputes as there are other worldviews that think they are right.

I strongly subscribe to openmindedness.  That is why I trained at La Trobe in mediation and learned to be open to other viewpoints and resolve problems as this heals on many levels.  What I have experienced is that society doesn’t understand this as people can be very fixed on their views and not open to resolution. Sickness arises from discord (within).  This is not understood. Yet we see depression, anxiety and social isolation without the awareness that love is the great healer.  Love is friendship, kindness, openness and inclusivity.  Patch Adams is a clown doctor and medical doctor and he states:

“To me depression is a symptom of a disease called loneliness” 

He also speaks of :

“Gesundheit! Institute, focused on the treatment of happiness and mental health of the patient along with treatment of the disease they are suffering from”

It is interesting that Olivia felt some guilt accepting the award given the hard work of others.  I would resonate with that as I don’t believe anyone should get a honorary degree by virtue of their status, no matter how wonderful they are.  I respect her as a person and I know she is into holistic health and very genuine. She comes from a family of doctors and intellectuals, she was the black sheep who followed her heart.  Her father was Master of Ormond College and was accomplished.  Her Grandfather Max Born was a mathematician and instrumental in the development of quantum mechanics.  That is very interesting.  He was a nobel prize winner in 1954 in statistical interpretation of wave function and a close friend of Einstein.  I found that very interesting.  Einstein was a humble person and he believed in a higher intelligence refer https://upliftconnect.com/spiritual-wisdom-of-albert-einstein/

I had cancer at Christmas and ironically was in touch with La Trobe in respect of an administrative request.  The officer never offered any response or compassion when I told her in an email.  I only told her due to my delays in getting back to her as I was getting treatment. I actually wanted it to be confidential.  I notice with professionalism our feelings/emotions are ignored. One of my messages is to care for people unconditionally, to be kind even if you disagree. Words do matter. I call it unconditional love.  I know Olivia would agree.  There are many who care nothing (indifferent) unless it somehow affects their interests. To truly care is deeply needed in this world as so many are getting sick given they are not valued. As clowns we went to hospitals all over the world and we did this as laughter is the best medicine.  We know that loving kindness focuses the person on wellbeing and they will believe they can live.  There was a situation where a clown doctor put a teddy on a child’s bed. The child was going into surgery.  The clown gave love to the child. Apparently afterwards it was discovered the child knew she would live as the clown gave the teddy this gave her hope, that is how powerful love can be.  I was told by patients that when I shared love with them, I had made their day. The nurses typically didn’t have time to put a hand on someone’s arm and spend a little time.  We hugged nurses, doctors, patients and family.  It was incredibly beautiful and some of the greatest moments of my life. I followed my heart literally. I had the privilege to visit hospitals in Australia (Austin Health Heidelberg, Royal Talbot, Canberra), Russia, India, Peru, New Zealand, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.  When people had malaria in Asia I noticed they non-verbally communicated to me not to touch them to protect me. When they had HIV in Southern Thailand we hugged them anyway to prove that you don’t catch it through touching as others were scared to touch them.  I had no innoculation just trust and love.

I love that she believes that nothing in life happens for no reason, that is really true.  She speaks of helping people.  In her address to graduates and staff she speaks of her receiving her Doctor of Letters and then says poetically: letters make words, words have power, be conscious of your words, be kind with your words, be true to your word.  For all the doctors in her family and for all their brillance her mother’s words inspired her the most.  “If you can help someone darling do it”.  I love this.  She left people with those words.

Below is the video of this talk and below an outline of the Board of ONJC centre. The next video is an interview of Olivia with Oprah Whinfrey. Oprah is into Oneness – this is a movement growing where people are realising ‘We are One’.  Oprah interviews people like Byron Katie and Eckhart Tolle as new philosophies that can change the world.   Eckhart answers questions about Western Medicine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LchpdlX_MZo  (video embedded below)  This is Olivia’s spirituality http://intentblog.com/spiritual-side-olivia-newton-john/

In this video with Oprah she sings “I honestly love you”. I feel the same way.  I send this to La Trobe University.  May all come to genuinally embrace alternatives and love as a universal reality that actually heals. It is about all of us coming together in a spirit of diversity in unity. In conflict to learn from this and expand knowledge.  Cancer is cells out of control, in my world view, it is about being out of balance with nature given chemicals, pollutants, stress and toxic cultures (families, society, organisations etc).

I send her song as a thank you to those who did help me when I had cancer and for my year studying Peace Studies and learning the importance of humanities, freedom of speech and love as truth (Gandhi).  It is the humanities that will heal the world. Many in this area would say it is about not ‘being seen to be’ success but actually ‘being’ who you are.  So many live lives keeping up appearances and remote.  What people really need is to see examples where people are real, authentic and treat others in equality as they would want to be treated.  When I visited Mother Theresa’s Missionary of Charity near Chenai in India, the women were abandoned. Mother Theresa treated well, that is why we call wellness well-being.  It is about harmony and peace within and between people.  Enjoy these videos they will enlighten.

The Board of her foundation is as follows:

The Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute is an independent organisation. The Board governs the activities of the organisation, manages policy and provides strategic direction.

  • boardkatherinewoodthrope

    Dr. Katherine Woodthorpe

    ONJCRI BOARD MEMBER

    Dr. Katherine Woodthorpe

    <p>Katherine is currently the Non‐Executive Director at People &amp; Innovation. Previously she served as Chief Executive of AVCAL, the Australian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, the national association that represents the venture capital industry&rsquo;s participants, promotes the industry and encourages investment in growing business enterprises. </p> <p>Prior to AVCAL, Katherine was the Chief Executive of the Technology Industries Exporters Group, an industry peak body she helped establish to assist technology companies improve their export performance. She has an extensive background as a management adviser and professional director, including working with Australian technology companies seeking venture funding through to being a board member of listed companies. </p> <p>Current appointments include Chair of the Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre and Director of a number of other organisations. Katherine is a member of the NSW Council of the AICD and the Advisory Board of Springboard Australia (supporting women entrepreneurs). She has previously been a Director of a number of listed and private companies and is a former Council Member of UTS in Sydney.</p>

  • boardrichardbalderston

    Richard Balderstone

    ONJCRI BOARD MEMBER

    Richard Balderstone

    <p>Richard Balderstone has worked in the financial and investment markets for over 35 years. He was a founding partner JCP Investment Partners, a specialist investment management organisation with over $5 billion in funds under management, and remains a non-executive director.</p> <p> Previously, Richard was a Director of ABN AMRO (and BZW) for over 10 years. He was a Director of the Australian Rail Track Corporation and a Trustee Director of the Commonwealth Public Service Superannuation Schemes (CSS/PSS) between 1998 and 2004. </p> <p>Richard is a Trustee Director of several charitable organisations including the Baker Foundation, Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation and the SecondBite Future Trust.</p>

  • boardLinda+Nicolls

    Linda Bardo Nicholls AO

    ONJCRI BOARD MEMBER

    Linda Bardo Nicholls AO

    <p><em>Linda is a corporate advisor and a director of a number of leading Australian companies and organisations.</em> </p> <p>She is Chairman of Yarra Trams and Japara Healthcare and a Director of Fairfax Media, Sigma Pharmaceuticals, Pacific Brands and Medibank Private. Previously she was Chairman of Healthscope, Chairman of Australia Post, and a Director of St George Bank. </p> <p>Linda is a past Director of The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research and was a Trustee and Vice President of The Harvard Business School Alumni Board (USA). Her executive career was in banking and financial services. Linda has an MBA from Harvard Business School and more than 30 years&rsquo; experience as a senior executive and company director in Australia, New Zealand and the United States. She has three adult children and lives in Melbourne.</p>

  • boardJohn+Dewar

    Professor John Dewar

    ONJCRI BOARD MEMBER

    Professor John Dewar

    <p><em>Professor Dewar is the Vice‐Chancellor and President of La Trobe University, a position he has held since January 2012</em>. </p> <p>Professor Dewar is an internationally‐known family law specialist and researcher. He is a graduate of the University of Oxford, where he was also a Fellow of Hertford College from 1990‐1995. He taught at the Universities of Lancaster and Warwick in the UK, and worked for the London law firms Allen &amp; Overy and Farrer &amp; Co.&nbsp;Professor Dewar came to Australia in 1995, and held senior leadership positions at Griffith University and the University of Melbourne, where he was Provost, before taking up the position of Vice‐Chancellor of La Trobe. </p> <p>Professor Dewar is currently Chair of the IRU Group of Universities for 2014‐5; Chair of the Victorian Vice‐Chancellors’ Committee for 2014‐5; a member of the AHEIA Executive Committee; a Director of Education Australia Pty Ltd; a member of the Advisory Board for the Centre for Ethical Leadership at the Melbourne Business School and Ormond College; and a member of the International Editorial Board, 21st Century Society. He is also Adjunct Professor in the Melbourne Law School and an Honorary Fellow of Hertford College, Oxford. </p> <p> His previous appointments include member of the Attorney‐General&rsquo;s Family Law Pathways Advisory Group (2000‐1), Chair of the Family Law Council (2001‐4), Chair of the Queensland College of Teachers (2006‐9) and member of the Advisory Council of the Australian Institute of Family Studies (2007‐2011).</p>

  • boardAshley-Dunn

    Professor Ashley Dunn

    CHAIR, ONJCRI SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE

    Professor Ashley Dunn

    <p>Professor Ashley Dunn received his PhD from the University of Birmingham, UK, and undertook postdoctoral studies at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, USA and at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany. </p> <p>In 1982, he took up a position as Head of the Molecular Biology Program at the Melbourne Branch of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research. In 1984, Professor Dunn and colleagues molecularly cloned GM‐CSF, a cytokine currently used clinically to aid recovery of bone marrow in cancer patients following chemotherapy treatment. He was elected as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science in 1996, served as Associate Director of the Ludwig Institute until 2004 and is currently a Professorial Fellow of the Department of Surgery at the University of Melbourne. </p> <p>Professor Dunn is currently a science consultant and serves on a number of scientific advisory boards in academia and the biotechnology sector.</p>

  • boardsallycap

    SALLY CAPP

    ONJCRI BOARD MEMBER

    SALLY CAPP

    <p>Sally has extensive experience in CEO and executive leadership roles in both government and large corporations. She is currently the Chief Operating Officer of Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and prior held the position of Head of Markets, Victoria with KPMG.</p> <p> Immediately before joining KPMG, Sally represented the Government of Victoria as Agent General across Europe and Israel for three years. Prior to that Sally was the CEO for the Committee for Melbourne working on Federal and State Government policy issues. Sally&rsquo;s particular focus is on government, infrastructure, technology and higher education. Previously, Sally has worked as a senior executive within the ANZ Bank, Managing Director of an ASX listed venture capital group and as a commercial lawyer with Freehills. In addition, Sally has acted on a number of Boards including for private and public companies, ASX listed companies, and not for profit organisations. </p> <p>Sally is currently also a Board Member of Rowing Australia and the Faculty of Business and Economics at Melbourne University, a Trustee of the Mary Jane Lewis Trust and an Advisory Board Member of the Global Foundation. Previous board roles include Australian Heritage Group, MMC Funds Management, DJ Carmichael &amp; Co. Sally was the first female director of the Collingwood Football Club.</p>

  • boardmorryschwartz

    MR MORRY SCHWARTZ

    ONJCRI BOARD MEMBER

    MR MORRY SCHWARTZ

    <p>Morry Schwartz was born in Hungary in 1948 and left as a refugee with his parents to live in Israel at the age of one. In 1958 he migrated with his family to Melbourne, Australia. He matriculated at Melbourne High and started studying architecture at Melbourne University, but left early to travel. At the age of 22 he started a film distribution business, and in 1973, at the age of 25, with 3 friends, he started the pioneering publishing company Outback Press. </p> <p>A year after this he set up Aardvark Concreting Company, to financially support the publishing. Aardvark soon became a property development company. He has remained a publisher and property developer, under various entities, until today. His company Pan Urban develops property including residential projects such as Liberty Tower and Watergate Towers as well as retail projects including the redevelopment of the GPO. For the past several years Schwartz Media has published books under the Black Inc and Nero Books imprints and the journal Quarterly Essay. </p> <p>In 2005 he launched The Monthly magazine which covers Australian politics, society and culture. In March 2014 Schwartz Media launched a weekly newspaper; The Saturday Paper, which is now published in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia. He was appointed Adjunct Professor of Journalism at RMIT in 2014.</p>

  • Hon John Brumby

    THE HON. JOHN BRUMBY AO

    ONJCRI CHAIRMAN
Mohandas Gandhi

“Each one has to find his peace from within. And peace to be real must be unaffected by outside circumstances.”

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