Sea of Flags Eurovision in Australia for over 30 years, to choose a performer and they eventually picked Mauboy. Her appearance would mark the first time Australia has been represented at Eurovision and she would become the first solo artist from a non-European Broadcasting Union country to perform as a guest. However, Mauboy is not the first Australian to perform in the contest as Olivia Newton John, The New Seekers and Gina G have previously taken part as competing acts representing the United Kingdom. Mauboy told Fairfax Media that she planned to use her Eurovision exposure as a way in to tour Europe.
Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest 1979 Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest 1979 Italy was represented by the group Matia Bazar, with the song '"Raggio di luna", at the 1979 Eurovision Song Contest, which took place on 31 March in Jerusalem. The song was chosen internally by Italian broadcsaster RAI. On the night of the final Matia Bazar performed second in the running order, following Portugal and preceding Denmark. The pre-contest betting had rated "Raggio di luna" as the favourite for victory. However, on the night the group gave what is often mentioned as one of the worst vocal performances ever heard in a Eurovision final,