Brit wins 'best job in the world'

This job would have been great for my brother Kris.....



Brit wins 'best job in the world'
May 08, 2009 Print Ready Email Article

A BUNGEE jumping, ostrich-riding British charity worker was named the winner of what has been dubbed the 'Best Job in the World' - a six-month contract to serve as caretaker of an Australian island.
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WELL DONE: Winner Ben Southall (right) of Britain is congratulated by Greg Reynen (left) of Singapore. PICTURE: AFP

Mr Ben Southall, 34, beat nearly 35,000 applicants from around the world for the dream assignment to swim, explore and relax on Hamilton Island in the Great Barrier Reef while writing a blog to promote the area.

He was selected for the A$150,000 ($165,000) gig by officials from the tourism department of Queensland state.

Mr Southall and 15 other finalists spent the past four days on the island for an extended interview process, which required applicants to snorkel through crystalline waters, gorge themselves at a beachside barbecue and relax at a spa.

One of the finalists was Singapore-based Greg Reynen, 31, who teaches at the Singapore American School.

They also had to demonstrate their blogging abilities, take swimming tests and sit through in-person interviews.

The job is part of a A$1.7 million tourism campaign to publicise the charms of northeastern Queensland, and officials say it has already generated more than A$110 million worth of publicity for the region.

It quickly became a viral marketing hit, spreading quickly across the world via YouTube and social networking sites such as Facebook.

As part of his 60-second application video Mr Southall showed footage of himself riding an ostrich in Africa and being kissed by a leopard, before driving off into the sunset yelling: 'If it's the best job in the world, then I'm off to the best place in the world.'

Controversies

Said Queensland Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor in a statement: 'From the time he was announced in the Top 50, and then the Top 16, Ben has excelled in showing a true passion for Queensland.

'His ideas for how he will make the role his own... plus his initiative and ability to rise to a challenge impressed the selection panel and secured his place in the top job.'

The contest also attracted a fair bit of scandal since it was unveiled in January.

First, the website crashed due to a deluge of visitors, angering many who couldn't lodge their video applications.

Later, the tourism department was forced to admit it had created a popular video 'application' showing a woman apparently getting a tattoo expressing her love of the Great Barrier Reef.

Then one finalist was ousted after it was revealed she had connections to the adult entertainment industry.

And a prankster identifying himself as Al-Qaeda's terrorist leader, Osama bin Laden, posted a video of himself on YouTube reciting reasons why he was the best pick for the job.

Mr Southall plans to bring his Canadian girlfriend with him to the island for the duration of the job.

He starts 'work' on 1 Jul.