But, What About The Benefits?

I applied for a job the other day. It’s not your ordinary job. It entails taking care of an island. No, I’m not taking over for John Locke, Richard Alpert or Jack Shephard; it’s taking care of Hamilton Island in the Whitsunday Islands off of the coast of Queensland, Australia. Job description? Feed the fish, clean the pool and pick up the mail. I pulled a muscle just reading it. While you’ll be based on Hamilton Island (living in a 3 bedroom Million dollar home), the job actually requires travel to the other islands and to the Great Barrier Reef. While there I’ll be expected to mix with the locals, inspect the beaches, mid-wife some sea turtles and check out the service level of some of the spas. I know, it does sound taxing. I’ll also be expected to snorkel the reefs, fly with the air-mail service and play golf on the new golf course on Dent Island, which is a few hundred yards off the coast of Hamilton Island. Although it will be a challenge to work under these conditions, I’m willing to give it a try. I’ll also have to maintain a weekly blog with photos and video entries. I’m starting my research on this whole “blogging” phenomenon right now. Hopefully, I’ll learn enough before I leave to perform my job well. It’s a 6 month contract (Jul 1st-Dec 31st) and get this; it pays $150,000 AUD. That converts to about $105,000 in US dollars. They are cutting the applications off at 30,000 and they have about 9,000 in so far from over 162 countries. I’ll take those odds. A 30,000 to 1 shot at a 6 month job in paradise that pays over 100k? It’s like Vacation Lotto. There’s still time if you want to compete with me; just go here and sign up. You need to make a 60 second video stating why you would be the best candidate. You can check out my application by clicking here. You can rate it while you watch, if you like. They will cut down to 50 and then to a final 11. Should be fun. Ah, some dreams are more fun than others! Anyone want a postcard from Australia?

Launch It:

This entry was posted on Friday, January 30th, 2009 at 12:17 am and is filed under Guess It'll Have To Go Here. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Karen

If you invite me for a visit and pay my airfare I’ll give you one of my autofeeders so you won’t have to worry about feeding the fish!

(NukeDad) Pay your airfare? What do I look like? Nuke Paul Getty? Maybe you can help out the CDC on the peanut recall and make some extra dough. I wonder if Southwest Airlines flies to Australia with their $49 to $99 Super Fares?

Karens last blog post..Facebook Facts Meme

Jan 30, 2009 @ 3:41 am

Weaselmomma

Awesome, definitely going to apply. If you get the job, maybe you can bring along a housekeeper and her family?

(NukeDad) Maybe, but you’ll have to camp out on the beach. The house is “only” 2400 sq ft. Too many weasels.

Weaselmommas last blog post..Hot Wings, Beer and Cookie Dough

Jan 30, 2009 @ 5:54 am

Melisa

First of all, WOW! What a great idea for the Queensland Tourism Association (or whatever they call it)! Now THAT is some kicka$$ marketing. You can’t get marketing like that for $100,000.

Second, excellent job on the video! AND, I finally got to see Nukemom! (Hi Nukemom!!)

Third, nice job outing your real name, Cranston.

I might be a little stupid because it’s early, but I couldn’t figure out how to rate it. If you’ll clue me in, I’ll go back and give it 5 stars. And yes, I want a postcard!

P.S. Can I take care of Buddy and Penny while you’re all down undah?

(NukeDad) They say that they’ve gotten over 5 million dollars worth of publicity so far. Not bad. Cranston may or may not be my middle name (I doubt it). They’ve been having issues with the rating system also; not sure if/when they’ll have it fixed. Buddy and Penny would love a road trip/vacation!

Melisas last blog post..Just Another Manic Tuesday, The Sequel!

Jan 30, 2009 @ 7:14 am

tom

I must be tired. At first glance I thought you’d be cleaning the fish, picking up the pool and feeding the mail.

Your entry is top notch. I don’t see how you can miss. Good luck, and don’t forget your mates back in the States!

(NukeDad) Thanks, Tom! Too bad you’re not one of the judges….

toms last blog post..Plugging Along

Jan 30, 2009 @ 12:03 pm

James

Hmmmm……I might just have to give it a go. Sounds like just what I need in my life at this point. Thanks for the heads up.

(NukeDad) I saw that Jason at iVegasFamily had mentioned it earlier too. Don’t know if he applied or not. It would be great to know the person who gets to go! Make sure your video is 60 seconds, not 61; they dumped about 75 entries earlier this week because of them being too long.

Jamess last blog post..Invest in this GM Right Away

Jan 30, 2009 @ 2:41 pm

1sttimedad

I’m going to apply too! I’ve been to the Whitsundays and they’re phenomenal. I’m hoping my journalism experience (professional writer/editor/photographer gives me a fighting chance).

Good luck NukeDad, but I guess I hope you don’t get it *ha ha*

(NukeDad) So that’s how it’s going to be, huh? Alright then, it’s on! Too bad they shy away from locals and those that have been there before; they really want a “fresh” perspective. I’m sure they won’t count it against YOU, though! Seriously, good luck; it’s the chance of a lifetime.

1sttimedads last blog post..Jumping in with both feet

Jan 30, 2009 @ 4:36 pm

Mike

As I’m reading your post all I kept thinking was that this would make a great “reality show.” Something like “Survior” except the winner gets the job. Maybe the guy offering the job should contact Hollywood…

(NukeDad) They’ve got to be ecstatic as it is; they’ve received over 15 million in free advertising for Queensland so far. Not bad. One site is trying to organize a meet up for all those who don’t get the job sometime in July. They’ll get tons of visitors out of this also. Genius idea.

Mikes last blog post..Just Venting…

Jan 30, 2009 @ 7:19 pm

Huckdoll

Good luck, NukeDad!! Your application vid was perfect. We need more jobs like this…the world would be a much better, happier place!

(NukeDad) Hey, stranger! Good to see you! Thanks for the well wishes; we’ll see what happens. Boy, it’d be great, wouldn’t it?

Jan 31, 2009 @ 2:12 pm

Chuck

Viewed and rated. Very nicely done. I’d hire ya.

(NukeDad) Thanks, Chuck. It’s total pie in the sky, but you can’t win if you don’t play!

Chucks last blog post..If you’re feeling grumpy …

Jan 31, 2009 @ 11:00 pm

Audubon Ron

Dude, they got 9001 apps. Just sent mine in.

I’d say good luck but I’m cold blooded when it comes to this.

(NukeDad) I’ll wish you good luck, Ron. ‘Cuz I already know that I’m going to win!

Audubon Rons last blog post..I Went to the Denwist

Feb 03, 2009 @ 11:55 am

choosydad

Is that for real? You’ll probably discover later that you’re on some sort of twisted reality show. Inspect all the fine print carefully.

(NukeDad) It’s for real. Fine print says 100K for 6 months of exploring the area and blogging about it. I hope it doesn’t get anymore twisted than that!

Feb 03, 2009 @ 5:05 pm

matt

Nice vid man. Am I mistaken or was that Joe Satriani? That’s reason enough to win right there.

(NukeDad) Actually, it’s “Trademark” by Eric Johnson. In my top 5 for sure.

matts last blog post..Mixed Up In The Family Business

Feb 03, 2009 @ 6:29 pm

k a t i e

I flew over said Islands on the way home to Melbourne from Vanuatu yesterday…and fell in love. If you get the job, I’m using my link to you via Melisa from The Scrawl and coming and playing with your sea turtles. (I’ll find a link to you. Somehow. That place is amazing). Fingers crossed!

(NukeDad) Thanks, Katie! I’ll take as many crossed fingers as I can.

k a t i es last blog post..Vanuatu.

Feb 04, 2009 @ 5:13 pm