“Best job in the world” winner looking for assistants

Ben Southall, the guy getting paid A$150,000 to gallivant around the Great Barrier Reef Region (and write about it) has come under fire for not blogging all that often. Tourism Queensland, who sponsored the “best job in the world” contest, blamed the lack of blog posts on poor Internet access and the fact that well, Ben’s just too busy “working”. Somehow, I don’t think those of us who spend our days in a windowless office have much sympathy for poor Ben.

To help Ben with some of his workload, he and Tourism Queensland are planning on launching another contest – this time to find four assistants. At this point there are no additional details on the positions or what the application process will entail, but Ben promises he’ll give us the scoop soon. Hopefully, he can find the time.

Worst jobs in the world in Hamilton Island

The lazy Brit who’s supposed to be blogging has it made, having won what is billed as “the best job in the world.” But, the many people working on the island, according to a construction union rep are far from living the good life. Hell, he likens it to Alcatraz – before it stopped being a prison, I imagine.

The workers are engaged to develop the island’s yacht club. Currently, they’re being housed in Palm Valley, which has been called “vastly inadequate.” Up to six people are being stuffed into four-person apartments, and the rooms themselves are small. The union claims that the living conditions are in breach of the original terms.

Elsewhere on Hamilton Island, the best job in the world involves a hefty salary relative to the obligations and nice digs in a luxury villa.

So, what does Park View Group CEO Geg Thompson – the man who writes the checks – say about this? Nobody’s forcing the workers to stay.

Brit gets “best job in the world”

Ben Southall will spend six months swimming, blogging and soaking in the sun. Tourism Queensland picked the Brit from 16 finalists yesterday – not to mention 34,700 video entries from nearly 200 countries. The job pays A$150,000 (US$110,000) for Southall’s “efforts.”

His thoughts: “I hope I can fill the boots as much as everybody is expecting, my swimming hopefully is up to standard and I look forward to all of the new roles and the responsibilities that the task involves.”

My thoughts: Don’t hurt yourself, Ben. Nobody’s really expecting anything profound from a publicity stunt.

To secure his new gig, Southall overcame finalists from 15 countries, including students, journalists, a receptionist and an actress. Oh, and a porn star. MSNBC forgot that one.

Meanwhile, Tourism Queenland‘s already thinking ahead. This gimmick could become an annual event.

Psychometric testing next on list for reef job finalists

Jetlagged, stressed and swamped by media, the finalists for the “Best Job in the World Contest” still managed to “sing the praises of the natural wonder in a series of online blogs” … as if they could put out a series of printed blogs on short notice.

The competition finalists are in the midst of a three-day job interview of sorts on Hamilton Island in Queensland, with the winner emerging richer and set for the next six months.

What comes up next? Psychometric testing.

The finalists have been watched by a four-judge panel since they hit the ground on Hamilton Island, not to mention camera crews, photographers and journalists from all over the world. One candidate, Greg Ryan, likened the media attention to a “cameraman firing squad.”

In a mere 14 hours, the deed will be done.

Best job in the world candidates touch down

Sixteen people from 15 countries set foot on Hamilton Island yesterday. They will be subjected to the final round of interviews for the “best job in the world” competition, with only one picking up the free digs and $150,000 salary for six months of absolute bliss.

Tourism Queensland‘s CEO, Anthony Hayes, is more than happy to sign a check for that amount. A good idea turned out to be amazing, and he’s recouped much more than that already. Hayes says, “We think we’ve just tipped over $100 million in international publicity with hopefully another $20 to $30 million coming this week.”

We’re waiting for a winner now, and it won’t take long. The cameras are rolling, and the candidates are ready for prime time.

Soon, we’ll have an answer. The countdown is currently at 34 hours.

For now, meet the finalists here. As you may have guessed, I’m hoping Mirjam wins.