G'day as Ben starts world's best job

Published on Wednesday 1 July 2009 21:59

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.