Australia’s Got Talent finalist’s tearful duet with palliative care patient

There wasn’t a dry eye in the room as staff and carers watched Australia’s Got Talent grand finalist Olina join a terminally ill patient in an emotional duet today.

The talented 16-year-old sang ‘Hallelujah’ by Jeff Buckley as 89-year-old patient Brenda Adams chimed into the chorus of the popular song. Olina’s aunty Helen played the tune on the guitar.

Brenda is battling ovarian cancer and is being cared for at Mount Druitt Hospital’s palliative and supportive care unit.

The duet followed on from a video captured last week of the patient singing along to ‘Daisy Daisy’ with a music therapist.

After seeing the patient’s happy response to music therapy, Channel 7 was invited to make Brenda’s day.   

Brenda said Olina’s performance was ‘wonderful’.

“Thank you channel 7 and Australia’s Got Talent for organising this,” Brenda said.

“Olina was wonderful and I hope she goes on to win the series.”

Olina said she chose ‘Hallelujah’ because it is a well-known and emotional song.

“It was really special to sing to Brenda today,” Olina said.

Nursing unit manager Trish Dalgleish said music transcends generations.

“We need to dispel the myth that palliative care is doom and gloom,” Trish said.

“We know that music therapy helps people no matter where they are in the trajectory of life, especially in the palliative care unit.”

Western Sydney Local Health District thanks the Seven Network and Australia’s Got Talent for visiting Mount Druitt today.