WagerWeb.com » WTF

So, you heard about that Island Reef Job?

13 January 2009 41 Comments

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.

Job-seekers can apply at: Islandreefjob.com (there probably is a lot of traffic now, so be patient)

 

  1. #1 by Gaston on January 13, 2009 - 10:56 am

    I hate whoever gets this job

    Quote

  2. #2 by Maha Kassab on January 13, 2009 - 12:00 pm

    To Whom it May Concern:
    I heard about the job and I am very interest! Would someone please contact me regarding this. Thank you!

    Maha Kassab

    Quote

  3. #3 by EMMANUEL NOBREGA BRITO on January 13, 2009 - 12:03 pm

    Eu quero ser o caseiro da ilha de Hamilton

    www.islandreefjob.com

    thanks

    Quote

  4. #4 by becker on January 13, 2009 - 12:05 pm

    maha… you have to visit their site…

    Quote

  5. #5 by Jason on January 13, 2009 - 12:11 pm

    I WANT THIS JOB!!! I’d apply if I could, but the site isn’t coming up :(

    Quote

  6. #6 by Christy on January 13, 2009 - 12:24 pm

    www.islandreefjob.com is a broken link. Does anyone know how to apply for the job? Is there a new website?

    Quote

  7. #7 by bibiana cordoba on January 13, 2009 - 12:29 pm

    quisiera msaber mas sobre esta isla paradisiaca

    Quote

  8. #8 by MIKE on January 13, 2009 - 12:33 pm

    I AM LOOKING TO APPLY BUT WHEN I CLICK ON THE APPLICATION SITE IT GIVES ME A COULDNT FIND THE SITE. CAN SOME ONE HELP ME? I AM HIGHLY INTRESTED!

    Quote

  9. #9 by jason on January 13, 2009 - 12:37 pm

    I am also interested in this wonderful experience but cannot log on to the site to apply.

    Quote

  10. #10 by Sherri Wilson on January 13, 2009 - 12:40 pm

    In dire need of a positive change. Love outdoors, mother of 2 and happily married 29 yr old. Currently real estate agent so due to economy stand still have plenty of time on my hands and feel incredibly restless and eager. Would love to be a canadate.

    Quote

  11. #11 by becker on January 13, 2009 - 12:47 pm

    The site is really slow because there is a lot of people on it… so you have to wait a couple of days. You can send applications until Feb 22 so you have a lot of time!

    Quote

  12. #12 by Spirit on January 13, 2009 - 1:20 pm

    How to apply:
    Want the best job in the world? If you enjoy new experiences and you can spare six months to enjoy life above the Great Barrier Reef, you’re already in with a good chance. It’s easy to apply.

    Step 1: Create a video application (in English and in 60 seconds or less) telling us why you’re the best person for the job and demonstrating your knowledge of the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef.

    Step 2: Send digital reel/disk/media card to:
    Tourism Queensland
    An Equal Opportunity Employer
    GPO Box 328, Brisbane, 4001. Australia.

    About the application process:
    Eleven candidates will be invited to the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef for an interview from the 3rd to the 7th May 2009. So, if you want the best job in the world, you’ll need to be available to travel to Queensland for the final interview selection process. You’ll also need to be available to start work on the 1st July 2009.

    Hope you get the job!

    Light to all applicants.
    Peace to the world.

    Quote

  13. #13 by RAYMOND on January 13, 2009 - 1:26 pm

    who would say no at this job? i am annother interested.

    Quote

  14. #14 by Matt on January 13, 2009 - 1:54 pm

    This looks like fun. Of course, if Queensland wants to improve the reach of its message, it might want to begin by investing in a respectable web hosting service. Most of its competition hear in Florida seem to have figured that much out.

    Quote

  15. #15 by Gina on January 13, 2009 - 2:27 pm

    Wow-this job is perfect for me. The link www.islandreefjob.com is not connecting me. Could you help please.
    I’m an island lover, hiking, swimming, nature lover of all.
    I’m your girl

    Quote

  16. #16 by takis on January 13, 2009 - 2:33 pm

    hello!i send you this mail from Greece.i am 32 years old.

    Quote

  17. #17 by Jan Novak on January 13, 2009 - 2:52 pm

    where can I apply?

    Quote

  18. #18 by cesar on January 13, 2009 - 3:16 pm

    me gusta el mar la naturalesa se nadar y si tengo experiencia

    Quote

  19. #19 by cesar on January 13, 2009 - 3:17 pm

    elegirme y no os defraudare ok

    Quote

  20. #20 by Mary Betty on January 13, 2009 - 3:18 pm

    WOW, that really sound like a wonderful experience!!! If I could I’d be the first to take the job.

    Quote

  21. #21 by Craig on January 13, 2009 - 3:51 pm

    It’s not that easy to apply because the link is broken, www.islandreefjob.com. I click on the “Apply Now” tab and nothing.

    Quote

  22. #22 by wizard on January 13, 2009 - 4:02 pm

    there probably will be millions of applicants… good luck to the selection team… he he

    by the way i will get this job!!!

    Quote

  23. #23 by carlos on January 13, 2009 - 5:30 pm

    anybody think this is a scam? seems way too good to be true! I would do it for free

    Quote

  24. #24 by Brilhantina Almeida on January 13, 2009 - 5:43 pm

    I WAS BORN IN RHODESIA, NOW LIVING IN PORTUGAL, I LOVE TRAVELING COMUNICATION WITH PEOPLE AND I ADORE ISLANDS, AUSTRALIA IS ONE OF MY PASSIONS AND DREAMS.

    Quote

  25. #25 by Jonas Valente on January 13, 2009 - 6:47 pm

    I really want this job! My dream is Australia, and it’s jewel crown, the great barrier reef! It is my dream job, I won’t even want the money! I will hope I can get past some of the competition, I will try my best to get this one in a million years opportunity!

    Cheers from Portugal!

    Quote

  26. #26 by yasin on January 13, 2009 - 6:50 pm

    hı very ınterestıng for me ,and ı m from turkey ı want too see different place ı hope ll be

    Quote

  27. #27 by JACKS on January 13, 2009 - 8:39 pm

    Ahhh!!! sun, sea, surf, suntan lotion… “bugger!!!” Rock on Tim “the Tool Man (Woman) Taylor. Good luck people.

    Quote

  28. #28 by christophe Bourgeois on January 13, 2009 - 10:46 pm

    Mi gusto el sol, el mar del naturalesa y las vido siempres com el naturalesa…..
    Muchosimo gracias por el revo
    J aime le soleil, la mer naturel et la vie simple avec la nature
    merci beaucoup pour ce reve

    Quote

  29. #29 by mm1968 on January 13, 2009 - 11:23 pm

    I already have the best job in the world i am a husband and daddy.

    Quote

  30. #30 by Joe A on January 14, 2009 - 7:41 pm

    Hi.

    I think its a sort of scam. Its pretty much a competition and the prize is pay and a year at an island. The competition is to market the island as a holiday destination.

    Whoever ever wins this job (i.e. competition) will, im sure, get what it says so in that way its not a scam. They’re just calling it a job to get media attention which from all the news articles and responses, nice work marketing company!

    Quote

  31. #31 by maddoffff on January 15, 2009 - 5:50 am

    Hy! I’m Bernard Maddoff , before wall-street I was a good lifeguard….this job is for me ,I’m a good swimmer! in 5 years I can change this islands like Manhattan , with buildings ,traders, highways, pollution,dealers,stress,and ice-cream merchants evrywhere….trust in me , I’m the good boy for you!

    Quote

  32. #32 by Mathew on January 15, 2009 - 6:30 am

    I really want this job! My dream is Australia the great barrier reef! It is my dream job, I will hope I can get past some of the competition, I will try my best to get this one in a million years opportunity!

    Quote

  33. #33 by martin on January 16, 2009 - 3:27 pm

    woohoo:)

    Quote

  34. #34 by Monique on January 16, 2009 - 3:28 pm

    Pick me! Pick me! :) ))))))))

    Quote

  35. #35 by Arul on January 17, 2009 - 2:57 am

    Hi really interested in this! Wow a great job!

    Quote

  36. #36 by neol lynch on January 29, 2009 - 10:55 am

    i am very intersted in this job i am very intrested in sea creatures it would be a very exciting and intrested to do this its a great opportunity for me as i am very experianced wit animals i love swimming snorkling etc. thanzz

    Quote

  37. #37 by Jonathan Kraft on February 6, 2009 - 4:17 pm

    I think this possibly is not only the best job in the world, but one of the best opportunities int he world too.

    We just got our application approved and are SUPER excited to be a part of this!

    Thanks for posting about it!

    Warmest,
    Jonathan Kraft
    CarrieAndJonathan.com
    IslandReefWork.com

    Quote

  38. #38 by howard norman on February 16, 2009 - 10:36 am

    hello,not sure how to apply,but not sure i would anyway,i would miss my kids too much,i have two young sons who are my whole life,i just wanted to say what a wonderful gift you are going to give some young person,good luck to you and i hope whoever you pick will do the best job they can,hopefully you don’t get all the african immigrants stinkin up your country like alberta did when we offered jobs,take care

    Quote

  39. #39 by Barbara Pelton on February 16, 2009 - 12:27 pm

    “Everybody wants the job done but nobody wants to get their hands dirty” Jack Bauer

    I will get my hands dirty!

    Barb :)

    Quote

  40. #40 by Bill on February 25, 2009 - 10:50 pm

    I am a candidate for the Island Caretaker position and would appreciate your vote for the position. In return, I promise to develop engaging videos and blogs for your enlightenment.
    http://www.ivegotagoldenticket.com/blog/?p=219

    Thanks for your time!-Bill

    Quote

  41. #41 by afroz on March 10, 2010 - 8:17 am

    i am marine aquarium specialist tank setup,
    so i need a job and free visa .

    Quote
(will not be published)