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Which thirsty PM once held a place in the Guinness Book of Records for beer drinking?

Bob Hawke. As a young Rhodes Scholar, Bob Hawke held the world record for downing a yard glass of beer (in 11 seconds). Before running for PM he claimed to have beaten the bottle.

Which ill-fated PM drowned during his tenure and later had a swimming pool named in his honor?

Harold Holt. Harold Holt went missing, presumed drowned, while swimming in heavy surf at Cheviot Beach, Victoria, in December 1967. A public swimming pool in Glen Iris, Melbourne, was immediately named in his honour by someone who didn't see the irony.

Which debt-driven PM was fired by the Governor General, an incident which sparked a constitutional crisis?

Gough Whitlam. The Governor General, Sir John Kerr, sacked PM Gough Whitlam on November 11, 1975 for economic mismanagement which included the drawing of large loans from Pakistan. The dismissal outraged Labor Party supporters, ignited a constitutional debate, and fueled a push for an Australian republic. Otherwise, things went back to normal.

Which big-eared PM had a wife who shocked America with a provocative dress?

William McMahon. In 1971, William McMahon's wife, Sonia, made world headlines for wearing a dress with see-through sides at a White House function for her husband and President Nixon.

Which mortified PM was physically closer to the 9/11 terror attacks than the US President?

John Howard. John Howard was visiting Washington at the time of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001. In the ensuing days, he stood by the side of George W. Bush to condemn the attacks and thereafter forged a close personal friendship with the US President.

Which lucky PM survived World War II despite being shot down by Japanese fighters and then sunk by a Japanese submarine?

John Gorton. Sir John Gorton was left for dead after his plane was shot down in Singapore. He suffered facial injuries but survived, only to have his evacuation vessel sunk by a Japanese sub on the way home. This he also survived, but as PM in 1971 his own party, the Liberals, put him to the sword in a ballot.

Which red-faced, former PM (once called "Kerr's Cur") was caught stumbling his way through a US hotel wearing only a towel?

Malcolm Fraser. To this day, no one is quite sure why former PM Malcolm Fraser was wandering in a daze near-naked in a seedy Memphis Hotel in October 1986, but the incident was certainly well-reported.

Which iron-willed, long-serving PM was inspired to quote a soppy poem because of his adoration of Queen Elizabeth II?

Robert Menzies. "I did but see her passing by; And yet I love her till I die." With these words, originally written by Elizabethan poet, Thomas Ford, Sir Robert Menzies showed why he was the most British of all Australian PMs.

Which trusting PM once put an American soldier in charge of Australia's entire defence force?

John Curtin. John Curtin placed Australia's defence forces under the command of US General Douglas MacArthur during the Pacific phase of World War II.

Which pig-farming, clock-collecting PM did the British press dub "the Lizard of Oz" for "groping" Queen Elizabeth?

Paul Keating. Forgetting etiquette, Keating patted the Queen's back while ushering her at a function in Australia in 1992. The press hit Keating somewhat harder.