Source: CCTV.com

05-08-2009 09:30

A bungee-jumping, ostrich-riding British charity worker was named the winner of what's been dubbed the "Best Job in the World", a six-month contract to serve as caretaker of a tropical island in Australia.

Thirty-four-year-old Ben Southall, of Petersfield, beat out nearly 35-thousand applicants from around the world for the dream assignment. His job: to swim, explore, and relax on Hamilton Island in the Great Barrier Reef, while writing a blog to promote the area.

A bungee-jumping, ostrich-riding British charity worker was named the winner of what's been dubbed the "Best Job in the World".

He was selected for the 111-thousand US dollar gig by officials from the tourism department of Queensland state.

Southall and 15 other finalists spent the past four days on the island for an extended interview process, which required applicants to snorkel through

crystalline waters, gorge themselves at a beachside barbecue and relax at a spa.

The finalists also had to demonstrate their blogging abilities, take swimming tests, and participate in live interviews.

The job is part of a 1.2 million US dollar tourism campaign to publicize the charms of northeastern Queensland. Officials say it has already generated more than 110-million Australian dollars, or over 81-million US dollars worth of publicity.

Southall once worked as a tour guide in Africa, but most recently as a charity fundraiser.

He will live for free in an airy, three-bedroom oceanfront villa with a private pool and sweeping views of the surrounding islands.

The happy winner starts "work" on July the 1st.

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Editor:Zhao Yanchen