Wanted: Paradise island 'caretaker' | |||||
The job description for 'the best job in the world' Tourism officials in Australia are describing it as "the best job in the world". They want someone to work on a tropical island off the Queensland coast. No formal qualifications are needed but candidates must be willing to swim, snorkel, dive and sail. In return, the successful applicant will receive a salary of A$150,000 ($103,000, £70,000) for six months and get to live rent-free in a three-bedroom villa, complete with pool. Feeding fish
Anthony Hayes, Chief Executive, Tourism Queensland, said: "It doesn't sound too bad does it? We are looking for someone to tell the stories of the Great Barrier Reef and we have come up with what we think is the dream job." The post is being advertised as "caretaker" on Hamilton Island in Australia's Whitsunday Islands. The new recruit will work for just 12 hours a month. Duties include feeding some of the hundreds of species of fish and collecting the island's mail.
"There are hundreds of islands scattered along the Great Barrier Reef," Mr Hayes told the BBC. "We are looking for someone who can go and explore all the different islands then report back to the world on what they see. "We need a special person. They are going to be pretty busy having a good time." Hamilton Island, where the temperature is warm all year round, is the largest inhabited island in the region. It boasts blue skies, crystal water and pure sands. Thousands of applications About two million tourists visit the various islands each year, but most stay on the mainland and visit only on day trips. The job is being advertised around the world. Candidates have until 22 February to submit an online video application.
In May, 10 shortlisted candidates and one wildcard, voted for by visitors to the Tourism Queensland website, will be invited to the islands for a four-day final interview process. The successful candidate will start the new job on 1 July. Mr Hayes says he is expecting thousands of applications: "I'm having to beat my staff off with a stick at the moment because most of them want to apply too." | |||||
We need a special person. They are going to be pretty busy having a good time 
Wanted: Paradise island 'caretaker' | |||||
The job description for 'the best job in the world' Tourism officials in Australia are describing it as "the best job in the world". They want someone to work on a tropical island off the Queensland coast. No formal qualifications are needed but candidates must be willing to swim, snorkel, dive and sail. In return, the successful applicant will receive a salary of A$150,000 ($103,000, £70,000) for six months and get to live rent-free in a three-bedroom villa, complete with pool. Feeding fish
Anthony Hayes, Chief Executive, Tourism Queensland, said: "It doesn't sound too bad does it? We are looking for someone to tell the stories of the Great Barrier Reef and we have come up with what we think is the dream job." The post is being advertised as "caretaker" on Hamilton Island in Australia's Whitsunday Islands. The new recruit will work for just 12 hours a month. Duties include feeding some of the hundreds of species of fish and collecting the island's mail.
"There are hundreds of islands scattered along the Great Barrier Reef," Mr Hayes told the BBC. "We are looking for someone who can go and explore all the different islands then report back to the world on what they see. "We need a special person. They are going to be pretty busy having a good time." Hamilton Island, where the temperature is warm all year round, is the largest inhabited island in the region. It boasts blue skies, crystal water and pure sands. Thousands of applications About two million tourists visit the various islands each year, but most stay on the mainland and visit only on day trips. The job is being advertised around the world. Candidates have until 22 February to submit an online video application.
In May, 10 shortlisted candidates and one wildcard, voted for by visitors to the Tourism Queensland website, will be invited to the islands for a four-day final interview process. The successful candidate will start the new job on 1 July. Mr Hayes says he is expecting thousands of applications: "I'm having to beat my staff off with a stick at the moment because most of them want to apply too." | |||||
TranslatorJan 13, 2009 @ 15:43
Minda, Jan 13, 2009 @ 17:09
Competition will be tough, but with the right experience (I can sail and motorboat (have licenses), swim, dive (PADI rescue), trek/hike/bushwalk, be a handyman, fix computers (IT professional), take good pictures, write blogs, be very 'media' presentable). I love to travel adventurously: I backpacked around the world for a year through South America, NZ, Australia!!!, South East Asia, China, Russia... so I guess I can adapt to any situation. Even the Tribune de Geneve did an article on my trip. I don't have any strings attached in Geneva (except for my current job which I will quit without any regrets) and am ready to live a 6 months experience telling people how Great the Barrier Reef is! I'm really excited!
Who else wants to apply?
Competition will be tough, but with the right experience (I can sail and motorboat (have licenses), swim, dive (PADI rescue), trek/hike/bushwalk, be a handyman, fix computers (IT professional), take good pictures, write blogs, be very 'media' presentable). I love to travel adventurously: I backpacked around the world for a year through South America, NZ, Australia!!!, South East Asia, China, Russia... so I guess I can adapt to any situation. Even the Tribune de Geneve did an article on my trip. I don't have any strings attached in Geneva (except for my current job which I will quit without any regrets) and am ready to live a 6 months experience telling people how Great the Barrier Reef is! I'm really excited!
Who else wants to apply?
Patrick, Jan 13, 2009 @ 17:43
