Though the man of the hour is unable to attend, fans flock to Rod Laver Arena and cinemas nationwide to celebrate the songs of an Australian icon

At a Sydney shopping centre on a balmy Sunday evening, hundreds of people gathered to watch a concert that, according to its host, Richard Wilkins, would set a new livestreaming record for Australian cinemas.

Experiencing a Rod Laver Arena event with popcorn in a cinema chair was unusual in itself - but so too was the fact that its hero, John Farnham, would not be performing, or even in attendance.