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G'day as Ben starts world's best job

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Published Date: 02 July 2009
A BRITON started work yesterday in "the best job in the world" – a six-month contract as caretaker of the islands on Australia's Great Barrier Reef.
Ben Southall, a former charity fundraiser, beat more than 35,000 applicants to the post, which involves exploring hundreds of tropical islands off the coast of Queensland, while writing a blog with photos and video updates to attract visitors to the
area.

The 34-year-old, from Petersfield in Hampshire, fought off competition from 15 other finalists to win the A$150,000 (£70,000) role.

He was chosen by officials from Tourism Queensland on 6 May after a four-day selection process on Hamilton, Daydream and Hayman islands.

Mr Southall, whose new home is a rent-free, three-bedroom, ocean-front villa on Hamilton Island, said "excited" could not begin to describe how he felt about starting the job. He added: "It seems a lifetime ago when I sat down in January to plan and film my 60-second video application for the 'best job in the world'.

"At times I still can't believe I was successful in being offered what has to be the most sought-after job in the world – the chance to spend six months exploring the islands of the Great Barrier Reef – one of the world's most amazing destinations."

The job is part of a campaign to attract visitors to the Great Barrier Reef, and tourism chiefs claim it already has generated £98m in publicity.

It became an internet hit, spreading across the world via YouTube and social networking sites such as Facebook.





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  • Last Updated: 01 July 2009 9:46 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
 
1

2dogs in D.C.,

02/07/2009 00:18:08
Lucky bum-hope you get sunburned in places not usually known to see the sun-Have a good time,though,lucky bum.
2

Transformers rule,

China, 02/07/2009 01:46:19
Sure, give the job to a Brit, Australian natives have no business of ever landing a job like that, jobs like that only go to the thieves that stole their country ! What about a Chinese spy?
We could do the job too you know, and you'd never know we were there !
And Gibson, you could come and visit, and we can share visions together, and revelations, and smoke a couple of pages out of the "book" eh !
How about it Gibson, deal?

Scotsman55
3

The Spirit,

Everywhere 02/07/2009 03:08:17
The world's best job is serving the Lord and being yourself at all times.
4

weeshooie1,

Wollongong 02/07/2009 04:49:18
G'Day Ben, welcome to paradise. I see your story has already snagged a couple of wuckfits :0)
5

Transformers rule,

China, 02/07/2009 05:56:33
#4 weeshooie1,
Quit calling yourself a couple, there's only one of you !

Scotsman55
6

weeshooie1,

Wollongong 02/07/2009 08:00:41
Well B**ger me, How did you guess that I was a Gemini :0)
7

Transformers rule,

China, 02/07/2009 08:46:17
#6 weeshooie1,
Let's just say that I'm "gifted" and leave it at that !

Sotsman55
8

,

02/07/2009 15:35:03
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
9

Bryan Luxman,

02/07/2009 16:13:27
Ben will need to be very careful he doesn't get skin cancer. He's surely a prime suspect with his lily white skin.
10

,

03/07/2009 04:11:23
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:

 

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