Job Available: Island Caretaker

Found this on Straits Time online.
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Jan 13, 2009
'Best job in the world'

SYDNEY - AN AUSTRALIAN state is offering internationally what it calls 'the best job in the world' - earning a top salary for lazing around a beautiful tropical island for six months.

The job pays AUD$150,000 (S$156,646) and includes free airfares from the winner's home country to Hamilton Island on the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland's state government said on Tuesday. In return, the 'island caretaker' will be expected to stroll the white sands, snorkel the reef, take care of 'a few minor tasks' - and report to a global audience via weekly blogs, photo diaries and video updates.

The successful applicant, who will stay rent-free in a three-bedroom beach home complete with plunge pool and golf buggy, must be a good swimmer, excellent communicator and be able to speak and write English.

'They'll also have to talk to media from time to time about what they're doing so they can't be too shy and they'll have to love the sea, the sun, the outdoors,' said acting state Premier Paul Lucas. 'The fact that they will be paid to explore the islands of the Great Barrier Reef, swim, snorkel and generally live the Queensland lifestyle makes this undoubtedly the best job in the world.'

Mr Lucas said the campaign was part of a drive to protect the state's AUD$18 billion a year tourism industry during the tough economic climate caused by the global financial meltdown. 'Traditional tourism advertising just doesn't cut it sometimes and we are thinking outside the box by launching this campaign.'

Queensland Tourism Minister Desley Boyle said some people might question whether it was risky to let an unknown person become an unofficial tourism spokesperson for the state. 'I think the biggest risk will be that the successful candidate won't want to go home at the end of the six months,' she said.
'This is a legitimate job which is open to anyone and everyone.' Applications are open until February 22. Eleven shortlisted candidates will be flown to Hamilton Island in early May for the final selection process and the six month contract will commence on July 1.
Job-seekers can apply on www.islandreefjob.com. -- AFP
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Actually went to the website and check it out. It is really a legitimate job offer and to date, more than 19,000 applicants have applied. Interested applicants have to send in a homemade 60-second video footage depicting why they should be selected. Just for fun, I scanned thru the video applications sent from SG, in an attempt to spot any of my friends applying for the job.

Looking at the "job description", "perks" and "office" provided, I was totally bought to the idea of working there for 6 months. I mean, how cool is that? Imagine living for 6 months on a beach where you get to dive, snorkel, frolic in the sand... You are paid S$6.5k per week (Salary paid fortnightly) and all you have to do is blog and take photos! Who needs to give tuition or scrimp and save for that dream holiday?

Sounds like a dream come true, or a fantastic marketing gimmick because all of a sudden, every one is interested to find out about this Great Barrier Reef. The practical side of me will ask: What will happen to me 6 months later? Where will I work? And does "frolicking in the sand" looks good on my next resume? haha.. Well, just for fun, I'll still like to indulge in those thoughts for a while.

Just imagine, a typical workday for the winner will go something like this: Wake up to a beautiful sunrise and fantastic sea-view from your bedroom (again). Eat seafood caught fresh in that morning (again). Snorkel, dive (again). Entertain the press and media friends (Least something diff today). Travel by boat to the next nameless islands (one of the many thousands here). Take afternoon nap. Blog, take photos. Got the shot of the fishes after I finally managed to get them to swim in the formation of my name. I shall train the prawns next time before they become seafood. At night, see stars (again). Fell asleep under the starry sky in the moonless night. Missed the shooting stars. (again).

Come to think of it, I'll be bored stiff.