1974
Our Livvy Newton-John, at 25 on the cusp of global success, takes the stage for Britain (we instantly forgive her) with the contest in Brighton, singing Long Live Love. Only ONJ could pull off such a schmaltzy number and she does, coming fourth. 
1977
That Austrian powerhouse Schmetterlinge inexplicably writes a song for Australia at the event in London called Boom Boom Boomerang. Best we leave it right there.
1980
Johnny "Mr Eurovision" Logan might have won the event for Ireland with What's Another Year, but a check of his particulars reveals he was born in Frankston, Victoria. No matter that the family emigrated to Ireland when he was just three, we'll claim that win thanks. He wins again in 1987 and writes the winning song in 1992 for Linda Martin. Well done champion.
1983
SBS begins broadcasting the Eurovision. At first the audience is tiny but the station persists and by the 1990s its cult programming and Eurovision parties begin spontaneously spreading. By 2015, Guy Sebastian's year, the audience grows to an extraordinary 4.2 million for the semifinals and final in Austria.
1996
Brisbane's Gina G successfully camps it up in Oslo representing Britain with Ooh Aah, Just A Little Bit, finishing eighth. The song later tops the British charts and is nominated for the best Dance recording at the Grammy Awards in 1997. Go figure.
2014
Jessica Mauboy, part Indigenous Australian, part Indonesian, is picked to sing in a guest role after the shock news we were invited to join the party in Denmark. She looks nervous in front of 180 million viewers but does well despite the distraction of a dancing astronaut holding the Aboriginal flag beside her. The event will be remembered for bearded drag Queen Conchita Wurst's right-song, right-time, right-place win.
2015
Despite a groundswell of support for comic rock band TISM, Guy Sebastian, the first winner of Australian Idol way back in 2003, is picked by SBS as Australia's first competitive entry. Singing his own song, the upbeat Tonight Again, Sebastian defies predictions and comes fifth out of 40 nations.
2016
Korean-Australian Dami Im is picked by SBS as Australia's second Eurovision contestant for Stockholm in mid   May. The 27 year old's song, Sound of Silence, narrowly avoided penalty from the organisers for its use of the phrase "face-time". But she's so adorable she escapes censure.