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Wanted: Paradise island 'caretaker' Wanted: Paradise island 'caretaker'
(about 1 hour later)
Tourism officials in Australia are describing it as 'the best job in the world'.Tourism officials in Australia are describing it as 'the best job in the world'.
They want someone to work on a tropical island off the Queensland coast.They want someone to work on a tropical island off the Queensland coast.
No formal qualifications are needed but candidates must be willing to swim, snorkel, dive and sail.No formal qualifications are needed but candidates must be willing to swim, snorkel, dive and sail.
In return, the successful applicant will receive a salary of A$150,000 ($103,000) for six months and get to live rent-free in a three-bedroom villa, complete with pool.In return, the successful applicant will receive a salary of A$150,000 ($103,000) for six months and get to live rent-free in a three-bedroom villa, complete with pool.
Feeding fishFeeding fish
We need a special person. They are going to be pretty busy having a good time Anthony Hayes, Chief Executive, Tourism Queensland
Anthony Hayes, Chief Executive, Tourism Queensland, said: "It doesn't sound too bad does it? We are looking for someone to tell the stories of the Great Barrier Reef and we have come up with what we think is the dream job."Anthony Hayes, Chief Executive, Tourism Queensland, said: "It doesn't sound too bad does it? We are looking for someone to tell the stories of the Great Barrier Reef and we have come up with what we think is the dream job."
The post is being advertised as 'caretaker' on Hamilton Island in Australia's Whitsunday Islands.The post is being advertised as 'caretaker' on Hamilton Island in Australia's Whitsunday Islands.
We need a special person. They are going to be pretty busy having a good time Anthony Hayes, Chief Executive, Tourism Queensland
The new recruit will work for just 12 hours a month. Duties include feeding some of the hundreds of species of fish and collecting the island's mail.The new recruit will work for just 12 hours a month. Duties include feeding some of the hundreds of species of fish and collecting the island's mail.
They will also need to prepare a blog, a photo diary and video updates to attract tourists to the area.They will also need to prepare a blog, a photo diary and video updates to attract tourists to the area.
"There are hundreds of islands scattered along the Great Barrier Reef," Mr Hayes told the BBC. "We are looking for someone who can go and explore all the different islands then report back to the world on what they see."There are hundreds of islands scattered along the Great Barrier Reef," Mr Hayes told the BBC. "We are looking for someone who can go and explore all the different islands then report back to the world on what they see.
"We need a special person. They are going to be pretty busy having a good time.""We need a special person. They are going to be pretty busy having a good time."
Hamilton Island, where the temperature is warm all year round, is the largest inhabited island in the region. It boasts blue skies, crystal water and pure sands.Hamilton Island, where the temperature is warm all year round, is the largest inhabited island in the region. It boasts blue skies, crystal water and pure sands.
Thousands of applicationsThousands of applications
About two million tourists visit the various islands each year, but most stay on the mainland and visit only on day trips.About two million tourists visit the various islands each year, but most stay on the mainland and visit only on day trips.
GREAT BARRIER REEF World's largest coral reef system1,600 miles long2,900 individual reefs 400 species of coral2,000+ different fish species Source: BBC Science & Nature
The job is being advertised around the world. Candidates have until 22 February to submit an online video application.The job is being advertised around the world. Candidates have until 22 February to submit an online video application.
GREAT BARRIER REEF World's largest coral reef system1,600 miles long2,900 individual reefs 400 species of coral2,000+ different fish species Source: BBC Science & Nature
In May, 10 shortlisted candidates and one wildcard, voted for by visitors to the Tourism Queensland website, will be invited to the islands for a four-day final interview process. The successful candidate will start the new job on 1 July.In May, 10 shortlisted candidates and one wildcard, voted for by visitors to the Tourism Queensland website, will be invited to the islands for a four-day final interview process. The successful candidate will start the new job on 1 July.
Mr Hayes says he is expecting thousands of applications: "I'm having to beat my staff off with a stick at the moment because most of them want to apply too."Mr Hayes says he is expecting thousands of applications: "I'm having to beat my staff off with a stick at the moment because most of them want to apply too."