UK candidate selected for 'Best Job in the World' as caretaker of tropical island

Описание: (6 May 2009) SHOTLIST
1. Wide of stage with finalists for Best Job in the World (a six-month contract to serve as caretaker of a tropical Australian island)
2. Various of official from tourism department of Queensland state announcing the winner
3. Wide of finalists cheering on stage
4. Various of Ben Southall, winning applicant, kissing and hugging other finalists
5. Pan from ceremony participants sitting outside to stage
6. Wide of stage
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Ben Southall, Winner of contest for Best Job in the World:
"All of the activities and all of the things we've done, has been an incredible challenge, it's been very testing, we've failed in sleeping for the last few nights I think, we've all been very nervous today, but to go away now as the island caretaker for tourism Queensland and Great Barrier Reef is an extreme honour. I hope I can feel the boots as much as everybody is expecting, my swimming hopefully is up to standard and I look forward to all of the new roles and responsibilities that the task involves."
8. Wide of finalists cheering
9. Ben Southall and official on stage
10. Various of stage
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Ben Southall, Winner of contest for Best Job in the World:
"Absolutely blown away by the decision, I've been up against 15 other candidates, really, really tough competition there, some fantastic people there who've now become friends. There are some radio presenters, some TV people, they've all got a wealth of experience. I hope that what I've done in presenting myself to the panel here, was enough to get me the position and it appears today, when the decisions where made that finally it is, so I'm very, very happy all round."
(Q: What special qualities you bring to the role?)
"I've done lots of things over the last ten years really, I've been involved in lots of charity events, lots of expeditions, lots of things in the public eye with the media so hopefully all of those skills, and the high average I've got for those, has brought me through to get the final position of island caretaker."
12. Southall talking to the media
STORYLINE:
A bungee jumping, ostrich-riding British charity worker was named the winner on Wednesday of what's been dubbed the "Best Job in the
World", a six-month contract to serve as caretaker of a tropical Australian island.
Thirty-four-year-old Ben Southall, of Petersfield, beat out nearly 35-thousand applicants from around the world 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.
He was selected for the 150-thousand Australian dollar (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 sit through in-person interviews.
The job is part of a 1.7 (m) million Australian dollar (1.2 million US dollar) tourism campaign to publicise the charms of northeastern Queensland, and officials say it has already generated more than 110 (m) million Australian dollars (81.2 (m) million US dollars) worth of publicity for the region.
It quickly became a viral marketing hit, spreading quickly across the world via YouTube and social networking sites such as Facebook.
"My swimming hopefully is up to standard."
Southall starts "work" on July 1.

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