Isaiah Firebrace, the teenager from Moana, NSW has made a huge impact on the global stage, securing a place in the Eurovision final 2017 (happening in just two days!). With an audience of literally millions, Yorta Yorta man, Isaiah represents not only the talent of Australia, but its First Peoples.
It's a challenge for any Australian to break through onto an international platform, coming from an island on the other side of world from tinsel town, acclaimed international film festivals and thriving global industries. But for First Nations' Australians, who are underrepresented as is, in a country with - for example - a film industry that takes or one that ranks 22nd in the , makes successes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people just that extra bit more rewarding.
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As Isaiah has a shot at coming first in the Eurovision Song Contest, we reflect on just some of our First Nations' people who have made their countries and communities proud.
Jessica Mauboy
Jessica Mauboy first solo outside Europe guest of the iconic, Eurovision. Source: SBS
From then on, she has had a very successful career in both, music and acting. The Kuku Yalanji woman from Darwin has collaborated with many international artists such as, Flo Rida, Snoop Dogg, Ludacris, Jay Sean and Pitbull, as well as toured with Beyonce (all hail Queen B). She has also performed at many high profile events including the Australian visits of Oprah Winfrey and former US president, Barak Obama.
Jess had one of the lead roles in The Sapphires (the highest-earning Australian film on its opening weekend), starring alongside UK comedy actor, Chris O'Dowd. The Sapphires had its world premiere at the 2012 international Cannes Film Festival.
In 2014, Jess was the very first solo artist from outside Europe to perform as a guest, representing Australia's interest at the iconic Eurovision Song Contest. Since her performance, Australia has participated in Eurovision for the last three years.
Cathy Freeman
Cathy Freeman walks a lap of honour, carrying the Australian and Aboriginal Flags, after winning Gold in the Womens 400m Finals. (AAP PHOTO/Dean Lewins). Source: AAP PHOTO/Dean Lewins
Cathy is one of Australia's greatest athletes, being honoured to light the Olympic Flame at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Her track and sprinting efforts makes her currently the sixth fastest woman of all time, with her personal best of 48.63.
During the 2000 Olympics, Cathy was dubbed a winning favourite, with a list of international medals and records under her belt. True to form, she secured the gold medal in the 400m sprint. After her race, Cathy took a victory lap carrying both, the Australian national flag and the Aboriginal flag, despite the Aboriginal flag not being recognised as an 'official' national flag and therefore technically banned by the International Olympic Committee.
Warwick Thornton
Warwick Thornton receives the Golden Cinema Award at the 62nd Annual Cannes Film Festival 2009 (Getty) Source: Getty Images Europe
His debut feature film, Samson and Delilah which he wrote, directed and produced the music for, is a multi-award winning film both here, and internationally. It has won 'Best Film' in both, the Dublin International Film Festival and the Asia Pacific Screen Awards and most impressively, the prestigious Golden Camera Award (Camera d'Or) at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival. Samson and Delilah was also an entry in the Academy Awards' Best Foreign Language Film.
Warwick's new film We Don't Need a Map, a documentary about the political and cultural meaning of the Southern Cross (commissioned by NITV), is the headline and opening night film of this years' International Sydney Film Festival.
Patty Mills
Australian Patty Mills scored 15 points in San Antonio's 105-91 NBA win over Minnesota. (AAP) Source: FR171181 AP
The Canberra born and raised basketballer, is the second Indigenous Australian to play in the NBA (after Nathan Jawai). After a time with the Portland Trail Blazers and the Idaho Stampede, Patty is currently making his mark with the San Antonio Spurs, winning an NBA championship with them in 2014.
He is also a star player in the Australian national team, the Boomers, representing the country in every Olympic Games since Beijing in 2008, where he was the youngest player on the team. At the London 2012 Olympic tournament, Mills had the highest scoring average with 21.2 points per game, ahead of US sensation and highest-earning basketball players in the world, Kevin Durant.
Patty Mills banks it in at the buzzer but doesn't get it off in time! #GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/Z4DN1Dbz5F — The Fuzz (@TheFuzzNBA) May 10, 2017
Anthony Mundine
Anthony Mundine winning the WBC Silver Light Middleweight fight in 2014 Source: Getty Images AsiaPac
In boxing, Mundine has held the World Boxing Association super middleweight title twice (2003/2004 and 2007/2008) and the International Boxing Organisation middleweight title from 2009 to 2010. He also held the WBA interim super-welterweight title from 2011 to 2012.
Charlee Fraser
Charlee Fraser walks the runway during the Elie Saab show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2017/2018 (Peter White/Getty Images) Source: Peter White/Getty Images)
While being described as having a relaxed 'cool edge', with doe-eyes and an industry pout, it was actually Charlee's fringed bob haircut which most caught the attention of the industry and set an international trend.
"There is no knowing how my season would have played out if my hair remained long, but I definitely feel that my haircut got me noticed", she said of her international success.
Charlee was on the cover of InPrint Magazine (Issue FW 2016) wearing a t-shirt with the Aboriginal flag.
Evonne Goolagong Cawley
Evonne Goolagong lifts the trophy after beating Margaret Court in straight sets (Photo by S&G/PA Images via Getty Images) Source: Press Association
Evonne won the Wimbledon title in 1980, and was the only mother to have won the Wimbledon since Dorothea Lambert Chambers in 1914.
