How Australia’s early success at Eurovision kept us coming back

Australia first got into the Eurovision Song Contest as a one-off wildcard entry, but we had to prove ourselves to be able to stay. We look at the importance of Guy Sebastian’s impressive debut in 2015, and Dami Im's almost-win in 2016 with 'Sound of Silence'. In this episode, hear from Dami Im herself, Eurovision academic Associate Professor Jess Carniel, and Blink TV's Paul Clarke.

Dami Im representing Australia with the song "Sound Of Silence" in the grand final of the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm Source: AFP / JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images

After impressing in Copenhagen, SBS secured a one-off wildcard appearance at the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna.

This was the chance for Australia to make an impression, and Guy Sebastian did not disappoint.

With Sweden winning that year, Australia was invited back in 2016 to compete again.

There was disquiet among some European fans given that Australia's participation was only meant to be a once-off. The pressure was on for Dami Im to win them over and secure a longer future at the contest.

On the plane the whole time I’m thinking - Gosh, when I come back I’m going to have a number, and that number will follow me for the rest of my life. and that’s really terrifying.

Dami Im

In this episode, we talk to Eurovision 2016 artist Dami Im, Eurovision academic Associate Professor Jess Carniel from the University of Southern Queensland, and Paul Clarke from Blink TV who helps produce the coverage for SBS.

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How Australia’s early success at Eurovision kept us coming back

SBS Audio

31:43English

Credits

Why is Australia in Eurovision? is hosted by Mike Jones and Dale Roberts with additional sound mixing by Max Gosford.