Backed by a shower of fireworks and an avalanche of audience affection for a (relatively) new kid on the block, Australia's Eurovision Song Contest entrant Isaiah Firebrace has lit up the stage in the Ukrainian capital Kiev.
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With the votes from the professional juries representing 41 other competing countries already locked in, our fate in the 62-year-old song competition which stops Europe now rests with the votes of fans around the world.
Firebrace, of Echuca-Moama, is one of two Australians in competition in Kiev, Ukraine, which is hosting the annual competition this year; the other is Denmark's Anja Nissen, who was born and raised in Australia.
The grand final caps off a week where the carnival atmosphere of Eurovision has splashed itself across the Ukrainian capital, with delegations from 42 competing countries and tens of thousands of fans pouring in.
Firebrace was selected by the broadcaster SBS and Australia's Eurovision delegation to perform; Nissen competed for her entry by winning the Dansk Melodi Grand Prix, a national music competition in Denmark which is used to select the Eurovision entrant.
Speaking to Fairfax Media ahead of the final, both Firebrace and Nissen said the six decade old contest, created initially as a means of healing the wounds of divided Europe, represented a unique opportunity for them as artists.
"You have to make the most of every opportunity no matter how big the stage is," Firebrace said. "It's such an amazing opportunity and I know we both feel very honoured to be representing Denmark and Australia."
Though some still debate whether we are geographically eligible to compete in a European song competition, what is certain is our strong form: in our two years in official competition we have come fifth and second in a field of more than 40 countries.
Voting has closed and results will be announced shortly.
- The Age
