Is this an actual job?

[Chicago]

Australia offers 'best job in world' on paradise island

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Digg Facebook Newsvine del.icio.us Reddit StumbleUpon Technorati Yahoo! Bookmarks Print Mon Jan 12, 10:16 pm ET AFP/File – An Australian state is offering internationally what it calls "the best job in the world" -- … SYDNEY (AFP) – 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 150,000 Australian dollars (105,000 US dollars) and includes free airfares from the winner's home country to Hamilton Island on the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland's state government announced 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."

Lucas said the campaign was part of a drive to protect the state's 18 billion Australian dollar 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.

[yossie]

Ah, I read the article this morning. I thought It maybe the *** resort Smithy constructed.

[El Presidente]

Nice gig....but they don't include sunscreen. Pass

[Colt45]

I read the article this morning as well - I actually considered applying. Then I thought about the snorkeling on the great

barrier reef, and the term shark bait came to mind.

[anacostiakat]

Yea I saw this too. There has to be a hitch. . .

[broozer]

how do i sign up?

bruce

[Ken Gargett]

that would be the qld govt. unbelievable. and why pick hamilton? there are a heap of nicer islands.

last time i was there, didn't see any sharks but we did have about 8 foot of the most vivid yellow sea-snake quietly swimming alongside the boat. they say that they are not such a problem. if they bite, you have a second or two before they start injecting venom (of course, apparently the least poisonous sea-snake in the world is at least ten times more deadly than any land snake so you don't want to wait too long) so you can just rip them off. good luck with that.

[PDC1]

Yea I saw this too. There has to be a hitch. . .

There is. It's called, going troppo!!

[Ken Gargett]

There is. It's called, going troppo!!

hamilton was developed by one of, what we call in queensland, the white shoe brigade. bunch of old school developers who were always very well connected with a government that was very pro development (and say whatever else you like about that particular government, which finished absolutely reeking of corruption, they actually achieved an enormous amount for the state). at what cost, is another question.

not sure how many 'entities' have owned hamilton since but most recently owned by the oatley family - of yachting and wine fame. it was the oatleys who founded rosemount and then managed a reverse takeover, for want of a better expression, of southcorp - which was penfolds, lindys, wynns, coldstream and many more. then it all turned to custard and fosters jumped in. then that has turned to custard and god knows what next.

the oatleys have started another eponymous wine brand.

hamilton went a bit backpacker-ish for a while but not sure what the focus is now.

had a run-in with previous management (the GM was terrific but his underlings not necessarily quite so competent). got invited up to present sessions on champagne for them for their annual wine and food weekend. all went extremely well until i got a letter several weeks later from some dipstick acountant, 3rd class, who accused me of doing a runner on the room. no amount of explaining that they had invited me made a difference. organisers, suppliers, presenters, staff all talked to this idiot but she held firm. finally i just said fine, offset it against the very large account i am sending for my services. needless to say, never heard a word again. one hopes that the new broom has disposed of her.

[PDC1]

hamilton was developed by one of, what we call in queensland, the white shoe brigade. bunch of old school developers who were always very well connected with a government that was very pro development (and say whatever else you like about that particular government, which finished absolutely reeking of corruption, they actually achieved an enormous amount for the state). at what cost, is another question.

not sure how many 'entities' have owned hamilton since but most recently owned by the oatley family - of yachting and wine fame. it was the oatleys who founded rosemount and then managed a reverse takeover, for want of a better expression, of southcorp - which was penfolds, lindys, wynns, coldstream and many more. then it all turned to custard and fosters jumped in. then that has turned to custard and god knows what next.

the oatleys have started another eponymous wine brand.

hamilton went a bit backpacker-ish for a while but not sure what the focus is now.

had a run-in with previous management (the GM was terrific but his underlings not necessarily quite so competent). got invited up to present sessions on champagne for them for their annual wine and food weekend. all went extremely well until i got a letter several weeks later from some dipstick acountant, 3rd class, who accused me of doing a runner on the room. no amount of explaining that they had invited me made a difference. organisers, suppliers, presenters, staff all talked to this idiot but she held firm. finally i just said fine, offset it against the very large account i am sending for my services. needless to say, never heard a word again. one hopes that the new broom has disposed of her.

and, the humidity.............