"We Can Be Heroes" - Phil Olivetti Quiz

Answer: He nominated himself.

Phil's moment of heroism began when he noticed nine children were on a jumping castle that had not been properly secured to the ground. He managed to get the children to safety, but was still on the jumping castle himself when winds lifted it into the air and lodged it in high voltage power lines.

This act earned him three days on the media circuit and a number of local headlines, but it was Phil who nominated himself for Australian of the year. He tells us: "I laughed at the suggestion when I nominated myself."

Answer: Nelson Mandella

When we first see him, Phil tells us: "I didn't want to be average. I didn't want to be like everyone else, I wanted to be special. I wanted to be ... when I grew up into a man ... I wanted to be up there with your Einsteins, your Ian Thorpes and your Russell Crowes and your Roves." Rove McManus has, perhaps, not had as much impact on an international scale as the other role models Phil lists. Rove is an Australian comedian and television host.

Answer: a plasma screen television

Phil is unconcerned about spending money hand over fist, as he imagines he will be earning plenty more. In addition to his motivational talks, he is launching a range of merchandise featuring his catchphrase, "talk about a rough day at work". This little quip was what Phil said to the rescuers as he was lowered from the power lines.

He also plans to write an autobiography and to sell the rights to a miniseries about the jumping castle event. Bursting with pride, Phil shows us his 82 inch plasma screen television with surround sound, describing it as 'the piece of resistance' rather than 'piece de resistance'. We also see him playing with an impressive remote control helicopter.

His funds do not yet stretch to the sports car or the solar heated pool.

Answer: "I think, looking back on it, I probably wouldn't have chosen Jeremy, not a good choice of volunteer."

This speaking engagement is an unmitigated disaster and gives us a taste of Phil's ability to say things that make us cringe. After insulting one of the Scouts, Phil asks Jeremy, a volunteer, to lie on the ground while a tree is lowered on top of him, claiming to be simulating a terrorist attack.

When Jeremy's legs turn purple, Phil announces: "We need to abort the exercise and get Jeremy out of there very quickly". Unfortunately the rope that might have allowed them to pull the tree off breaks, and Phil's attempt to pull the log off using his car fails too. Emergency services are called and Jeremy tells an ambulance officer: "Some weird guy dropped a log on me." Apart from the correct answer, the excuses listed here are offered by Phil in a letter to the Scouts' parents printed in the book published as a companion to the series: Chris Lilley, "We Can Be Heroes - Finding the Australian of the Year: The Journey", ABC Books, Sydney, 2006.

Answer: He makes a pass at Malcolm's wife.

Like the Scouts talk, the barbeque was not an unqualified success. Always ready with a ridiculous activity to entertain the guests, Phil produces a swimming cap and encourages Malcolm to imitate Peter Garrett. (Garrett is the lead singer of Midnight Oil and is well known for his bald head and distinctive dancing style.) This suggestion makes everyone at the table look uncomfortable, but Phil is oblivious to this.

He continues by asking his guests, who are casual acquaintances at best, why they don't have children, and then corners Malcolm on his own and offers him a bribe. Throughout the afternoon Phil continues to raise the topic of Australian of the Year, despite Malcolm's requests to avoid discussing this.

Answer: staging re-enactments of the jumping castle incident

We don't see Phil reliving his glory, but, according to the companion book, this is one of the games he plays with his kids. Another game we see him play with his children requires them all to stand inside a hula hoop and rotate slowly. His son describes this as "a bad game".

Answer: His father used to pelt golf balls at him and call it a game.

We hear about the railway sleeper punishment as Phil responds to the disastrous Scout incident. Although he recalls that this had hurt him 'quite a bit', he has no sympathy for Jeremy, calling him 'a wuss'. We hear of his father's other exploits as Phil is shown waiting restlessly to hear if he is still in the running for Australian of the Year. Sadly, throwing golf balls at his kids was one of Phil's game ideas (according to the companion book).

Answer: You can say it really quickly.

Using a stopwatch to time himself saying his own name is just one of the ridiculous things Phil does to keep himself occupied while he is waiting for that all-important phone call. We also see him playing tetherball with a cricket bat, holding two tennis balls under his chin, bouncing a tennis ball off his head and repeatedly calling himself to check that the phone is working.

He does finally find out that his nomination has been unsuccessful.

Answer: stealing an invitation from someone else's bag

When the family is refused entry, Phil's wife becomes suspicious and accuses him of lying about still being in the competition. Never one to give up, Phil unsuccessfully employs a variety of ruses designed to get his family inside. Ultimately, Phil's wife is furious with him and the family are left standing outside as the ceremony takes place.

Answer: "Life is not always correct."

In this scene, where we visit Phil three months after his time in the competition has ended, he tells us that his disappointments have helped him develop this new philosophy. We also learn that the autobiography has been put on hold, but that the miniseries is in production. For once, this is not merely a fantasy. Vince Colosimo is cast in the part of Phil, and Phil himself is invited to attend the set as a creative advisor.

The three incorrect answers are gems of wisdom offered by Phil in the companion book.