10:32p.m. 25th November 2007

Australia voted again this weekend: Natalie Gauci is your new Australian Idol!

Natalie Gauci received the best birthday present when she beat crowd favourite Matt Corby to be crowned the 2007 Australian Idol.

The Melbourne songstress, who turns 26 today, beat the Sydney teenager in front of a crowd of thousands at the Sydney Opera House.

"(It is) definitely the best birthday present," Gauci told reporters after her win. "This is going to change the rest of my life."

Less than one per cent separated the two competitors in the final count - the closest result in Idol history.

The former hairdressing apprentice sang Man in the Mirror and her new single, Here I Am, and received a standing ovation.

When her name was read out as the winner, a stunned Gauci was almost speechless.

"I can't believe it," she said. "Thank you so much. Oh my god, this is amazing."

Corby embraced Gauci and was gallant in defeat: "I'm so happy for her, she is frigging unbelievable."

It has been a long road to the winners podium for Gauci, who made it on to the show by claiming the final wild card spot in the top 12 after she failed to make it through the semi-finals.

She has battled with nerves and had to put up with ongoing commentary about her dress sense.

However, Gauci impressed audiences with her renditions of Rihanna's Umbrella, Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush, and Crazy by Gnarls Barkley.

Her version of Here I Am was also a hit with the Idol judges, who praised her treatment of the song.

On Sunday night she said she was excited about the journey she was about to undertake, but still couldn't quite believe what had happened.

"It doesn't feel like reality at all," she said. "It feels like I'm dreaming and I haven't woken up yet."

The show highlights

It was pure tension and excitement as the night of nights - the grand finale of Australian Idol at the Sydney Opera House - arrived for Matt and Nat.

About 5,000 fans were out in force for a night chockers with entertainment, including a performance from Idol alimni Young Divas, the legendary Divinyls - who sang their hit, Boys In Town, which Gauci covered during the competition - as well as last year’s Idol, Damien Leith, - “a man so cool, he doesn’t need a collar to go with his tie,” according to host James Mathison.

In another Idol flashback, Shannon Noll hit the boards in cowboy boots just before the crowd was treated to a preview of the Australian series of So You Think You Can Dance, with 20 contestants busting a move to whet your appetite.

Soapie star turned rocker, Natalie Bassingthwaigte glammed up the night with her dramatic entrance on the back of a motorbike through exploding fireworks, to front her band Rogue Traders.

The singer, who has recently been in the news defending a steamy lesbian shower scene was sporting hair as gigantic as the reception for the band from screaming fans.

The moment had arrived: Matt and Nat made their way through the throng at the Opera House, and the 10 ousted contestants from the 2007 top 12 joined them onstage for a rendition of Lionel Ritchie’s All Night Long.

To the surprise of one and all, Lionel Ritchie - who is on tour in Australia for the first time in 20 years - joined the 12 singers as the sky over the harbour lit up with fireworks.

"I must tell you I have not played here in my life," Richie said. "This is the first time but what a first time. I'm loving it."

The veteran of the music business gave words of encouragement to the two finalists.

“They are already in the business,” said the soul singer, who will be joined on tour by Idol judge Marcia Hines.

Richie also said: "As far as I'm concerned they've both made it. I applaud you both."

Festivities continued with a look at Matt and Nat’s Idol experiences and individual performances by the top two.

The final twelve were welcomed back on stage to deliver a rocking rendition of the Snow Patrol song, Eyes Open, leading up to a surprise for Mildura’s Holly Weinert who won herself a Mazda 2 in a Mazda viewer’s choice competition.

And then the decision was announced: Natali Gauci!

“Are you sure?” asked the shocked singer.

“I’m not making this sh*t up,” answered James Mathison.

Matt Corby was very supportive of the decision, and said that Natalie was amazing.

Now that the verdict is out, the next Australian Idol event to look forward to comes in 2008, when you will be able to catch both Matt and Nat on the Coast as they perform on the Winners Journey tour. Read all about it.

Gauci's single is available to purchase via digital download, and will be in stores from Wednesday.

The Winner's Journey album and DVD will be in stores on December 8, and Gauci will release her debut studio album and embark on a national tour next year.

Although there is only one 2007 Idol, there were many contestants that kept us entertained along the way. You can read more about the 12 that made the top cut here:

Jacob Butler, VIC - read about Jacob

Brianna Carpenter, QLD - read about Brianna

Matt Corby, NSW - read about Matt

Mark Da Costa, NSW - read about Mark

Lana Krost, WA - read about Lana

Ben McKenzie, NSW - read about Ben

Daniel Mifsud, NSW - read about Daniel

Carl Riseley, NSW - read about Carl

Marty Simpson, NSW - read about Marty

Tarasai Vushe, NSW - read about Tarasai

Holly Weinert, VIC - read about Holly

Natalie Gauci, VIC - read about Natalie

What do you think about the winning verdict? Did Australia get it right?