The Eurovision Song Contest: An annual staple since 1956, and now one of the most watched televised events in the world. But why oh why is Australia included?

Australia have been broadcasting the Eurovision since 1983 and it has always attracted strong Australian viewing audiences. They initially used the commentary from the UK until 2001 when they started their own commentary for the contest. In 2012 Australia were offered their own commentary booth at the stadium in Baku and have been offered one every year ever since.

2013 marked 30 years of interval acts in the Eurovision and to commemorate it Australia sent a pre-recorded video entitled ‘Greetings From Australia (Why Australia Loves Eurovision)’. The following year in 2014, Australia were invited to perform in the interval of the second semi-final in Copenhagen, Denmark, sending Jessica Mauboy (who would later go on to represent Australia in Lisbon 2018 with ‘We Got Love’).

2015 marked the 60th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest and was hosted in Vienna, Austria. The slogan that year was ‘Building Bridges’ and so Australia were invited to compete as a one-off guest participant, building a bridge all the way down under.

Australia’s participation proved so popular, not only with Australians but with the rest of Europe that they have remained and have become a beloved member of the Eurovision family. In 2016 Australia received their highest place so far coming second with the song ‘Sound of Silence’ performed by Dami Im.

Interestingly, Australia are the only country in the Eurovision that are not allowed to host the contest should they win. Due to the time difference and significant expense of bringing the contest to Australia, it has been agreed that they will nominate a European country to host it for them. Australia have agreements with Germany as their first choice and should Germany not be able to host, the United Kingdom is the agreed second choice.

So Australia is here to stay.

That’s Eurovision.