Meet Australia’s Eurovision superfans: ‘We’re not reachable for six months of the year’

‘It’s about more than the music’: Kate Hansen, 70, makes her own outfits each year – and has seven crates full of memorabilia. Photograph: Frances Andrijich/The Guardian

The UK is having one of its busiest weeks in months – but while the coronation put Britain in the global spotlight last weekend, all eyes are on a very different cultural spectacle in Liverpool this weekend.

Eurovision drew in 161 million viewers last year, with 40 countries participating. Since 1956, each has put forward a musical act to face a public vote – and for millions of die-hard fans, the winners are the real royalty.