Hum Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 SYDNEY (AP) -- A bungee jumping, ostrich-riding British charity worker was named Wednesday the winner of what's been dubbed the ''Best Job in the World'' -- a 150,000 Australian dollar ($111,000) contract to serve as the caretaker of a tropical Australian island. Ben Southall, 34, beat out 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 for six months while writing a blog to promote the area. He was selected for the gig by officials from the tourism department of Queensland state. Southall and 15 other finalists spent the past four days on the Queensland island for an extended interview process, which required applicants to snorkel through crystalline waters, gorge themselves at a beach-side barbecue and relax at a spa. The finalists also had to demonstrate their blogging abilities, take swimming tests and sit through in-person interviews. In his application video, Southall expressed a love for adventure, and featured photographs of himself riding an ostrich, running a marathon, trekking through Africa and kissing a giraffe. The job is part of a AU$1.7 million tourism campaign to publicize the charms of northeastern Queensland, and officials say it has already generated more than AU$100 million worth of publicity for the region. Southall will live for free in an airy, three-bedroom oceanfront villa with a private pool and sweeping views of the surrounding islands. The job begins July 1. source Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pyehac Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 lucky SOB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GameOverRob Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 lucky SOB Took the words right out of my mouth! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloatingFatMan Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 I hope it rains every day for 6 months! :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goji Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 So I'm guessing its just him and the camel huh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hum Posted May 6, 2009 Author Share Posted May 6, 2009 ^ That picture is from his personal vacation photos -- the only one I could find to show what he looks like. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad. Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 Good on him (Y) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sensayshun Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 Nice one. Can't imagine much better than that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dc'1 Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 So I'm guessing its just him and the camel huh? Lol :laugh: Lucky :( I would love that job :|. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ViZioN Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 Awesome job! Weird the aussies picked a brit though. You think that would be him out of the running right away :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy0 Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 lucky SOB My sentiments exactly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Vivicidal- Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 Tsunami, anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Ba'al Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 So I'm guessing its just him and the camel huh? I'm sure they'll have much fun :hump: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super8 and Tab Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 saw this on the tv, the house in that island is nice ass. yea lucky SOB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonhapimp Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 saw this on the tv, the house in that island is nice ass. yea lucky SOB well it would suck if he didn't have a girlfriend, but he probably has a supermodel girlfriend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DDStriker Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 ^ would probably suck if he did though she would probably spend all his money :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrunkenMaster Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 I don't think he's all that lucky. Isolated island, really rich guy. Bunch of strange tourists. My bet is, in 2 months, the island will be a living version of Lord of the Flies. Blog about that you jerk! I didn't apply for respect of the other candidates. I didn't want to embarrass them with my overwhelming qualifications. When this guy quits, I'm going all out for the job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonhapimp Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 I don't think he's all that lucky. Isolated island, really rich guy. Bunch of strange tourists. My bet is, in 2 months, the island will be a living version of Lord of the Flies. Blog about that you jerk! I didn't apply for respect of the other candidates. I didn't want to embarrass them with my overwhelming qualifications. When this guy quits, I'm going all out for the job. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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