In spite or maybe because of Australia's inability to vote in the competition, the culture-starved hordes of this great Southern land can't get enough of all things Eurovision. And our enthusiasm has been rewarded: Eurovision 2015 will have its first ever Australian entry.
Eurovision 2015
In early February Australian Euro-tragics were given the welcome news that Australia would be given a wild card entry as part of the competition's 60th anniversary celebrations. On March 5 Guy Sebastian was announced as the representative on whom all our hopes and dreams are to be pinned. No pressure Guy. But if you stuff this one up, it's not just Finnish punk band Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät who are going to carve you up into little pieces!
Guy Sebastian
It's not Australia's first foray into the unique musical, sartorial and political phenomenon that is the Eurovision Song Contest. The New Seekers, Gina G and Olivia Newton-John have all had the honour of representing Britain in non-place-getting performances. Admittedly the gorgeous Neutron Bomb was up against the tour-de-force that was Abba back in 1974 so all is forgiven. Come home Olivia! The New Seekers and Gina G – you can stay right where you are.
Olivia Newton John
This year Sydney-trained opera singer Mary-Jean O'Doherty is part of the six member Armenian group appropriately named Genealogy. Her forebears include a grandfather who was a digger in the First World War. She is gorgeous, she can sing and she has an Australian passport. So we say Aussie Aussie Aussie Oy Oy Oy!
Mary-Jean O'Doherty
For those lucky enough to get themselves to Vienna this year, ticket prices range from €14 for a semi-final to €390 for the final. For the rest of us there's Julia Zemiro and Sam Pang on SBS delivering their customary tip-top commentary throughout the 3-day marathon that is the Eurovision Song Contest. We've got us some serious Euro-viewing to do.
