Culture | January 12, 2009 | 33 comments

Island caretaker job offer in Australia - get paid $150,000 to swim, snorkel, and do some blogging

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matadormedia
Queensland in Australia´s latest tourism campaign is giving job seekers the chance to get paid $150,000 to live six months rent-free on the Great Barrier Reef. As their Christmas holidays fade and the credit crunch begins to bite, office workers dreaming of a fresh start are being tempted to apply for "the best job in the world".

Tourism Queensland is looking for applicants willing to walk white sandy beaches, sit under palm trees and swim with turtles as they soak up the sun. The successful candidate will be asked to keep a blog and photo diary in exchange for six months rent-free on Hamilton Island as part of a $150,000 salary package that includes return airfares and travel insurance.

Australians and overseas applicants must be willing to "swim, snorkel, make friends with locals and generally enjoy the tropical Queensland climate and lifestyle".


Australian Marketing Institute president Roger James said the campaign was an interesting idea but would need innovative marketing to make sure the winning candidate's blog was as effective as traditional advertising.

"I've got to decide to log on to the blog ... and to make that work you have to have a communication that is arresting and interesting," he said.

"If we end up with little videos or this person wandering around the islands and they're just happy snaps it may not generate much interest at all."On the other hand, if it is something new and arresting and inventive it may be an absolute huge hit."

The campaign was launched overseas today and a domestic launch will follow this weekend but Mr James said it was likely an overseas applicant would be picked.

The winning candidate will be chosen from a shortlist of 11 and must be a good swimmer, excellent communicator, be able to speak and write English, have an adventurous attitude, enjoy snorkelling and/or diving and be willing to try new things. The job includes free accommodation in a three-bedroom home on Hamilton Island complete with plunge pool, views of the Whitsunday Islands and golf buggy. The caretaker will promote the Great Barrier Reef islands, give media interviews and take care of a "few minor tasks" throughout their tenure beginning on July 1.

If anyone can do this job surely a contributor from Current Tv can. Maybe the job could be rotated between Current contributors.

I think we should start nominating a Current staff member for the job!
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33 comments // Island caretaker job offer in Australia - get paid $150,000 to swim, snorkel, and do some blogging

  • sweetropo
    • 0
      sweetropo  
    • This idea sounds alot like this reoccuring dream I've been having... walking upon pristine white sand stretching out as far as the eye can see and as I stop to catch a visage of my surroundings, I realize there is the turquoise blue ocean blending with the sky on one side and the deep green of lush tropical flora on the other, and nothing but the fading indentations of my own feet in between them. I then smile and listen to the wind rustle the palm fronds, raise my face to the warmth of the sun... and then I wake up.
      This job seems interesting to me because it fits perfectly with my current qualifications. I am currently persuing my PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification in the Carribean Ocean on an Island off the Honduran coast and am looking for a different landscape where I can practice my skills and stay for a while to meet new people to experience and absorb everything in that region. Also, I have a Bachelor's degree in Televison and Film Production with and emphasis in Advertising from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ.
      If I could be sent along some more information to possibly make this dream a reality it would be greatly appreciated. sweetropo@gmail.com
      Thanks,
      Will

    • 2 years ago
  • RajSk
  • Balon1505
    • 0
      Balon1505  
    • You can stop looking for the right person for the job.. she's right here!! Hello :) My name is Ashley- I'm 21 years old, from Buffalo NY, and the most outgoing, energetic, and the happiest person you will ever meet :)
      I'm an extremely well rounded person and feel I can relate to anyone. There's never a quiet moment when I'm around :) I've played almost every sport you can think of, work in the restaurant business, and am currently going to school for pre-med.
      I straight near peed my pants when my cousin told me about this add she saw in the paper. This would be the most ammmazing opportunity for anyone to experience. I've never been anywhere but the United States and Canada. Greece and Australia were always the top two places I've desperately wanted to experience. This would be an absolute dream come true!
      I can guarentee new, fresh, and inviting ideas for this project! I will blowww your minds with how much I can capture people's attention. If you just give me the chance for an interview of any sort, I promise you won't need to look any further!
      I'm the one you're all looking for!
      -Ashley**
      Balon1505@yahoo.com

    • 3 years ago
  • mjalvagohob
    • 0
      mjalvagohob  
    • I'm interested with this kind of job...Since I love beach so much and spent most of my leisure time at the beach, If given a chance it's my honor to be part of this exciting job....Hope to hear from you soon...

      Sincerely yours,

      Tina
      (mjalvagohob@yahoo.com)

    • 3 years ago
  • caughtup5
    • 0
      caughtup5  
    • I live in north carolina , USA and i would love to be the new caretaker for the 6 months stay..because of our economy, i will come there, and i would love to meet a friend of mine, Tania , she lives in austrailia. i would actually like to see her face to face. and give her a hug. pick me please..........Betty

    • 3 years ago
  • laurianne
    • 0
      laurianne  
    • My Name’s laurianne, i’m live in france and I would like to obtain this job for my brother, he’s 26 years old, he’s always there for me when i need him and I would like to help him so much. He’s so courageous, he has does any kind of harder job the ones than the others and I think that this opportunity can to change his life, of opening heaps of horizons to him.
      I know that there must certainly be much request but if the person who deals with recruitment reads this message think well before removing this message: please I count on you to brighten his life and ours, by knowing him finally happy.

      I hope for an answer of you, even if the chance are negligible think that it is always necessary to try.

    • 3 years ago
  • photoop182
    • 0
      photoop182  
    • Hi everyone this is Ryan from Corona, CA.
      What an amazing opportunity and I would totally like the chance at it! Im an excellent swimmer, I am fascinated with all types of animal life, Photography is way rad and as far as being communicative and sociable, well thats my middle name! I am a well manored young man with 3 years volunteer experience at our local hospital where I did multiple tasks, and also volunteered with local law enforcement through my high school days. Went on to a little bit of college, but mainly into the working world from managing furniture warehouses to running Dj/Karaoke shows!! Im very well rounded with people and incredibly energetic and adventurous. I really hope I am taken into consideration for this amazing once in a lifetime shot at seeing what most eyes will never see.
      Thank you,

      Ryan

    • 3 years ago
  • seamanda
  • 77jacob
    • 0
      77jacob  
    • I am interested in going. They need someone like me. Plus I don't have a job at the time it would be perfect. No responsibilities at this time and I have experience.

    • 3 years ago
  • Parris
    • 0
      Parris  
    • Does anyone know the web-site you can apply for this job? The site "islandreefjob.com" isnt working, so I wanted to know if there is another site or if that site is down at the moment. Please help:)

    • 3 years ago
  • thehomans
    • 0
      thehomans  
    • hello my name is Georg and i live with my two boys in a 20 by 10 foot trailer behind my parents house in Hemet California.
      i work at a outlet grocery store and cant afford a place to live other than the trailer.

      getting a job like this would help me be a better father to my two boys and a better son to my parents who have helped us every step along the way.

      if you were to give the job to me you would get 3 people for the price of one because my two boys would go with me they both are out of high school and old enough to go.

      we are avid hikers we all love to swim and fish and trying new things is what we are about.
      my oldest son is a student at the local college and he is skilled in computers as is my youngest son.
      we are all willing to do this job at any time.

      this job would change our lives forever.

      thank you The Homans
      kingfish2006@verizon.net

    • 3 years ago
  • edeljcj9
    • 0
      edeljcj9  
    • the job offer is too good to be true in the sense
      that its overpaying job for almost doing nothing
      but its a very interesting and tempting job that
      i would like to try currently im seaman on vac.
      and i always like to help saving all natural things

    • 3 years ago
  • ilyn
    • 0
      ilyn  
    • I am 34 years old and have been to 13 different countries. Sociable and confident in mingling with people from different walks of life. I find it effortless to socialize. I had been a features editor during my college days. Would like to know how to apply. Thanks!

    • 3 years ago
  • chouchou
    • 0
      chouchou  
    • Hi,
      my name is christina, I am 35 years old and I am german but at the moment I am living and working in switzerland as a chief-nurse on icu.
      I would like to get to know other people, culture and countryside. Of course I would like to improve my english knowledge by this way.
      I am a sporty person who is practicing alpine ski, indoor climbing, jogging and riding. I have a licence as a lifeguard and be able to dive and snorkel.
      Hope it's interesting for you and look forward to hear from you.
      Greetings from switzerland, christina

    • 3 years ago
  • UWAZell
    • 0
      UWAZell  
    • American's please do not apply, Canadians however we welcome our fellow Commonwealth brothers under the Crown with open arms. I am kidding of course, American's are cool once you get past their 'I'm American' arrogance.

    • 3 years ago
  • Lazybones
    • 0
      Lazybones  
    • Very innovative and interesting. I wonder if any other countries will pick this up? Ill be down for any other island nation job.

    • 3 years ago
  • Armageddon_Now
  • CalgarC
  • Octipus666
    • 0
      Octipus666  
    • Everybody's entitled to their own opinion!
      That's why theres English tutors In these foreign lands to teach these locals the lingo!

    • 3 years ago
  • GuaranteeVictory
  • crazy_french
  • Octipus666
    • 0
      Octipus666  
    • I wouldn't mind helping out other parts of the World that are In urgent need for any kind of assistance.

      I want to make a difference In the World,
      Something rewarding that i can look back on, and to be proud of.

    • 3 years ago
  • Octipus666
    • 0
      Octipus666  
    • It can make a dramatic change to my lifestyle, and change the direction of my life too.

      I've always wanted to travel to Australia to experience the climate, wildlife and culture.

      It's all about promoting an Island with ideas, and opinions that can attract more tourism.

      I've always fancied a callenge to gain more insight of how other people live in other parts of the World.

      I went to Thailand last year, which opened my eyes
      to how people got by in every day life.

    • 3 years ago
  • Nyx
    • 0
      Nyx  
    • I've always wanted to visit Australia and get paid a large sum of money to practically do nothing. But this job wouldn't be for me. I hate the outdoors and everything about it. Also, growing up in a touristy beach area makes me dislike tourists and beaches, so yeah. Good luck to those who seriously apply for this position and kudos to whoever gets it.

    • 3 years ago
  • INDEPENDENT8
  • EJM2BAH
    • 0
      EJM2BAH  
    • Sounds like you need someone who can WRITE! That might be an issue with 90% of the contributors on the web. Let me know if you get stuck. Cheers

    • 3 years ago
  • ktotheP19
  • tursiops
  • cantucwearebrothers
  • whathefk
  • bansheewail
  • Beta_Boy
  • photoop182
    • 0
      photoop182  
    • Beta_Boy:

      Way awesome opportunity for anyone!! I would love to have the chance of a lifetime in one of the most perfect places on earth. I like to snorkel, animals are my life, art is amazing to me, and being sociable and polite is how I was raised. I'm a Southern California dude and I would dig to be selected for this incredible opportunity!

      Ryan

    • 3 years ago
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