Ben Southall Winner of Australia's Best Job In The World Contest

by Tina Kells | May 6, 2009 at 12:01 pm

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Ben Southall was announced as the winner of Australia's Best Job in the World contest, May 6, 2009. Southall, a 34-year old Brit from Petersfield, Hampshire, will head off to Hamilton Island, Australia to blog about life in the tropical paradise.

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Best Job in the World hopefuls were asked to submit a one minute video showing why they should win. The Best Job in the World contest is the brainchild of Tourism Queensland and quickly became one of the most buzzed about topics in social media.

Ben Southall beat out more than 35,000 entries to win the Best Job in the World. 15 finalists were chosen to compete for the Hamilton Island caretaker/blogger job. Southall will earn $120,000CAN for his 6-month gig and will be given a free home in paradise.

The five-month long contest to chose someone to blog about lying on a Hamilton Island, Australia beach, feed the fish, snorkel, swim, live in a mansion and do other "odious" chores for six months, was first announced in January.

Entrants from more than 200 countries sent in one minute videos explaining why they wanted the position in paradise. But the ostrich riding, outdoor-loving, safari-experienced charity fundraiser beat them all, including a journalist from Vancouver, Erik Rolfsen, who made the final cut.

Vancouver Province writer Erik Rolfsen also made the Best Job in the World final 15. The only Canadian to male the final cut Rolfsen is likely disappointed that he didn't win, but he could end up with another shot at the prize.

The Best Job in the World contest was more successful that Tourism Queensland ever dreamed and there is talk of making it an annual event.