News
A Brit closer to dream job
A British charity fundraiser has moved one step closer to landing 'the best job in the world' after being named as one of the 16 'finalists' hoping to land the position of caretaker of Hamilton Island on Queensland's Great Barrier Reef.
Ben Southall, a 34-year-old from Petersfield in Hampshire, will now fly out to Australia to take part in the final 'interview' - a reality television-style showdown with the other 15 lucky applicants beginning on 2nd May and lasting for five days.
Whatever the outcome, though, to get this far is an achievement in itself. Over 34,000 people from all around the world had applied for the job, after news of the position went global in January. The six-month position, which pays a salary of £70,000, had been marketed by Tourism Queensland as 'the best job in the world', and given that the winning applicant will be required to work only 12 hours a month and will enjoy free accommodation in a three-bedroom villa on the island, described as the "jewel in the crown" of the Whitsunday islands, it is not hard to see why.
The real winner in all of this, though, has arguably been Tourism Queensland, with the state's tourism minister estimating that interest in the job has "generated publicity worth millions of pounds."
However, while Ben will be hoping that he can secure the job, and enjoy at least six months living and 'working' on Hamilton Island, not everyone will have the choice of where they settle dictated to them by a job offer. If you know you want to live in Australia but are still not sure where you want to settle, why not email Emigrate magazine's Doctor Where for help? All you need to do is send us details of your ages, education, professional or trade qualifications, relevant work experience, intended visa category, approximate property budget, and answer these questions:
1). Put these environments is order of priority: a) On or near the coast; b) On or near a lake; c) In or near the mountains d) Somewhere in the middle?
2). In order of priority, which is your preferred location: a) In the city; b) In the suburbs; c) In the sticks; d) Somewhere in-between?
3). What are your leisure priorities: a) Water sports; b) Mountain sports; c) Team sports; d) Culture; e) Food and drink; f) Shopping
4). Ideally, what's the weather forecast: a) Scorchio, year-round; b) Scorching summers, cooler winters; c) Scorching summers, with a pronounced rainy season; d) More moderate temperatures year-round, but mostly sunny; e) Moderate temperatures, clear skies not always necessary
5). What are you most looking to achieve by moving to Australia (pick three): a) Better lifestyle; b) Safer for children; c) Educational opportunities; d) Job opportunities; e) Business opportunities; f) Better climate; g) Better off financially; h) Better healthcare; a) Stunning scenery; j) Leisure opportunities?
6). What single 'thing' would improve your life the most?
Don't worry - the good Doctor won't be sharing your personal details with anyone else. After all, what kind of Doctor would he be if we didn't honour the doctor-patient confidentiality rules!
17 June 2009