April Fools is a special time of year for the media.

Here is a list of the pranks Fairfax was sent ahead of the big day on Wednesday:

Coming in at last place, the media release sent in by the Australian Science Media Centre Inc was entertaining but frankly, way too obvious. The media centre alerted Fairfax to a research article set to be published in prestigious science journal Nature that would predict the proliferation of fire-breathing dragons as the planet warms.

The release quotes supposed author Dr Andrew Hamilton from the University of Melbourne (yes, a real academic... a few bonus points here) warning the public about the "devastating" impact of a mass dragon-awakening, and Dr Robert Johnson (a real-life Penrith-based veterinarian specialising in reptile medicine) forecasting the need for improved "critical care" treatment options for sick or injured dragons. Good try, SMC, but better luck next April Fools.

One Green Bean PR agency put in a good effort with this one, with special merit going to graphic designers who photoshopped a mammoth Vegemite jar onto the roof of the Vegemite production factory in Port Melbourne.  The media release alerted Fairfax to the opening of "The Big Vegemite Jar" – a five-storey museum housed inside a vegemite jar with interactive exhibits dedicated to everything-vegemite.  It's enough to make anyone crave a peanut butter sandwich.

The museum, threatening to topple the Big Banana and Big Pineapple with its mite-y popularity, is apparently due to open next Australia Day. Vegemite fans in the office were left crestfallen when they realised this was possibly a wisecrack.

It felt like Christmas Day when the shiny Red Balloon gift voucher envelope arrived on the desk of one of our reporters this morning. "We thought you and the team would enjoy trialling some of our newest experiences," read the accompanying PR executive's note.

The first voucher offered the experience of being towed behind an F-16 Fighter Jet for the "ultimate in intense water-skiing". The second voucher granted the lucky recipient an opportunity to see Melbourne "riding under a drone".  The final voucher offered a one-hour personalised selfie stick lesson, complete with "face and neck positioning tips".

Full marks for creativity, but one mistake cost Red Balloon the top prize... the bold large-font "Take Before" date of April 1, 2015 printed on each voucher.

One Green Bean has been busy this April Fools, and will be snapping up first prize for its tomfoolery.  Fairfax received a somewhat convincing media release from discount deals company Groupon informing us about upcoming venture, "Groupies" – a new category on the website auctioning off personal items used by celebrities and high profile public figures.

Groupies would be kicking off with the auction of Prime Minister Tony Abbott's notorious red and blue Speedos.  Fair enough, we thought, a slightly disturbing, yet kind gesture from the PM, with proceeds surely going to charity.  But the plot thickened when we read on.  The "freshly worn" and "salt-encrusted" budgie smugglers were not donated at all, but rather "left behind at his local Surf Life Saving Club".  And the profits would be spent on training executives in "job skills, such as floor scrubbing and polishing".

Nice one, Groupons.  We were almost duped... almost.

Happy April Fools!