We Can Be Heroes: Finding The Australian of the Year (2005)

The first of a six part mockumentary series documenting the search for the next Australian of the Year. In this episode we are introduced to the nominees. Phil Olivetti is a policeman from Brisbane who enjoyed 15 minutes of fame when he acted heroically in a freak jumping castle accident. Ricky Wong is a brilliant Chinese science student from Melbourne who wants to pursue his true dream of acting. 16 year old Ja'mie King is a well to do north Sydney private school girl who has been nominated for her humanitarian efforts. She undertakes the 40 hour famine every week to raise money for starving children. West Australian housewife Pat Mullins is the only person to roll from Perth to Fremantle and is planning the biggest challenge of her life. Twin South Australian brothers, Nathan and Daniel Simm have been nominated for a world first medical breakthrough. Daniel is donating an ear drum to his twin brother who is deaf.

Phil and his family have trouble adjusting to his newfound stardom. Ja'mie's friends come over for a sleepover. Ricky auditions for "Indigeridoo" - a play performed by the Chinese Theatre Group. Daniel and Nathan spend a day in the town of Dunt. Pat and Terry go over their plans to roll to Uluru.

The nominees get a chance to demonstrate why they should be the Australian of the Year. Phil teaches rescue techniques to a scout group. Ja'mie steps out of her comfort zone to visit one of her sponsor children, Sonali, in a detention centre. Ricky and his Chinese Theatre Group begin rehearsals for Indigeridoo. Daniel shows a magazine journalist the farm while being interviewed for a story. Pat starts training for her roll to Uluru and has a nasty incident when a gumnut goes up her nose.

The nominees face obstacles on their journey towards the Australian of the Year finals. Phil tries to bribe a judge on the selection committee at a backyard barbeque. Ja'mie promotes her cause in a shock assembly presentation. Ricky's musical production faces criticism and he confronts his father with the news that he intends to give up science to become an actor. The twins return from their miracle eardrum surgery and Nathan refuses to thank Daniel for giving up his eardrum. Terry constructs a cage to protect Pam from dingoes on the roll to Uluru.

The Australian of the Year State finalists are officially notified. Ja'mie receives devastating news that all her sponsor children have died. Phil is rejected as a finalist but lies to his family about the result. It's opening night of Indigeridoo and Ricky has a teary farewell as he takes to the stage for the last time. Daniel is accepted as a finalist but refuses to go to Canberra, while Nathan joyfully tests his new hearing. Pat's farewell party celebrations come to an abrupt end after the doctor delivers some devastating news.

The nominees head to Canberra for the State finals of the Australian of the Year competition. Ja'mie, ever so generous, brings her Sudanese sponsor child, Sonali, to the awards. Daniel and Nathan are more interested in fireworks than the awards. Pat puts her illness aside and rubs shoulders with celebrities. Ricky gets the chance to meet Cathy Freeman while Phil faces humiliation and family rejection as he tries to bribe his way into the awards.