Recently I shared the Dutch entry for Eurovision 2024, and now it’s Australia’s turn.

Last year, I had the absolute pleasure of meeting Voyager, the 2023 Australian entry for Eurovision, when they were in The Hague.

This year, Australia will be represented by Electric Fields with One Mikali (One Blood).

I’m only listening for the first time and it’s catchy, and hints towards deeper meanings. Though I’m not quite sure what! Will need to do some research to figure out the story behind this.

The video is very simple, but the first impression it gives to me is of representing diversity.

The general Wikipedia entry gives some interesting background on Australia’s participation in Eurovision and the process to choose this song, but not much about the lyrics and performers:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia_in_the_Eurovision_Song_Contest_2024

The entry about the song itself though does explain much more:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Milkali_(One_Blood)

“One Milkali (One Blood)” is a song by Australian synth pop duo Electric Fields. Self-described as a song that praises Aboriginal Australian culture that honours band member Zaachariaha Fielding‘s community, it was written by both members of the duo, and has lyrics in English and Yankunytjatjara, an Aboriginal Australian language. It was released on 5 March 2024 by Sony Music Australia. The song is set to represent Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, which will be held in Malmö, Sweden.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Milkali_(One_Blood)

Personally I love the message of togetherness, and the chance to learn more about Aboriginal Australian culture. Though I grew up in Australia, I feel I sadly know very little about this, and would love to know more – though have to stumble though probably making mistakes while I learn. For example, I’ve heard in the past that using the term “aboriginal” can be discriminatory, and believe “First Nation people” may be more respectful – but don’t know. Again Wikipedia has plenty of information:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aboriginal_Australians

However I feel my learning needs to go deeper than that. So it’s a good topic for another article on this website later

Meanwhile one of my favourite things about Eurovision is that it’s an opportunity to learn about others countries and cultures – and our own!

Being a dual national means I get two chances for my country to win in Eurovision – wishing Australia and the Netherlands all the best!