A bungee-jumping, ostrich-riding British charity worker was named the winner yesterday of the “Best Job in the World” — a six-month contract to serve as caretaker of a tropical Australian island.
Ben Southall, 34, of Petersfield, beat the other finalists, including Clare Wang (王秀毓) of Taiwan.
Nearly 35,000 applicants from around the world applied for the dream assignment to swim, explore and relax on Hamilton Island in the Great Barrier Reef while writing a blog to promote the area.
Southall was selected for the US$111,000 gig by the tourism department of Queensland state.
Southall and the 15 other finalists spent the past four days on the island competing for the position.
Wang thanked voters for their support, which gave her the opportunity to ride in a helicopter for the first time and see the Great Barrier Reef: “I would like to thank everyone ... for allowing me to have this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Wang said she would continue her working holiday plan and stay in Australia for one year.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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