After a worldwide search, Ben Southall was chosen as Tourism Queensland’s Islands Caretaker, or what we like to call the ‘Best Job in the World’. The role is a newly created position designed to help promote the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef to the world.
Ben was selected from more than 34,000 people from around the globe who applied for the Best Job in the World. He will work for six months exploring the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef and report on his travels through regular blog posts.
Applications for the job opened in January 2009, with would-be caretakers sending in 60-second videos showing their creativity and skills. From a shortlist of 50 applicants, Ben was amongst the final 16 applicants who travelled to Queensland in early May for the final selection process.
The interviews were held on the Whitsunday Islands and involved all 16 applicants taking on a range of tasks from swimming, snorkelling, tasting local cuisine as well as undergoing formal interviews and tests. The announcement of the successful applicant was a truly electric moment as Ben’s name was read out in front of the world’s cameras. The other applicants, who by now were all firm friends, rushed to congratulate him.
All of the candidates were very special but Ben’s adventurous spirit, energy and passion for the outdoors proved an irresistible combination. The 34-year-old charity fundraiser from Petersfield in Hampshire, UK is now donning his new work uniform – a wetsuit and flippers – and will keep himself busy exploring one of the great natural wonders of the world.
Ben will immerse himself in life above and below the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef. A keen diver and sailor, he’s going to experience the full wonder and ecological diversity of the reef and islands. And you can follow Ben’s adventures through this blog!
You can also view the applications from our final 16 applicants, enjoy some of our favourites and funnies and watch videos from the interview event on our IslandReefJob YouTube channel.
Tourism Queensland has prepared a range of copyright-free documents for media to download including information on the Caretaker of the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef, a locations fact sheets, story ideas, maps, media clips, images and much more.
Find out more about Ben Southall, the 34 year-old Briton who beat more than 34,000 applicants from around the world to be named as Tourism Queensland’s Islands of the Great Barrier Reef Island Caretaker; Blue Pearl, the beautiful three-bedroom home on Hamilton island where the Island Caretaker will live for the next six months and Fact Sheets and Top Tips on all the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef.
Tourism Queensland's ground-breaking Best Job in the World campaign for the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef has won 8 awards in the prestigious Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival - the advertising industry's equivalent of the Oscars.
Please click on the links below.
Islands of the Great Barrier Reef fact sheets
For more information, contact Tourism Queensland.
