Irish man in running for ‘best job in the world’ final

IT may be only a matter of time before Hamilton Island in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef has its own St Patrick’s Day parade.

Tourism Queensland has shortlisted 50 applicants out of 34,000 hopefuls for the so-called “best job in the world” and one of the finalists is from Meath.

George Karellas is in fourth place with 26,711 votes, with leader Clare from Taiwan on 138,590 votes. The applicant with the highest number of votes receives a wildcard entry and will travel to the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef for an interview and a chance to impress the interview panel, along with 10 candidates chosen by Tourism Queensland.

The coveted job is a six-month contract and has a salary package of AU$150,000 (€76,200), flexible working hours and key responsibilities include exploring the idyllic and tropical Islands of the Great Barrier Reef.

George needs votes from the public to win this competition and voting closes on Tuesday next.

Travel Affiliate were the campaign partners in Ireland for the global campaign.

Michelle O’Keeffe, managing director of Travel Affiliate said: “We are delighted to have an Irish finalist doing so well in the voting polls. The campaign ran globally and George Karellas has done great. There’s only a few days left to vote for George so we need everyone to get online and support our finalist.”

The job includes free airfares from the successful applicant’s home country to Hamilton Island.

In return, the “island caretaker” will be expected to stroll the white sands, soak up the sun, snorkel the reef and report to a global audience via weekly blogs, photo diaries and video updates. The winner will stay rent-free in a multi-million dollar three-bedroom beach home complete with plunge pool.

The final shortlist of 11 candidates will be flown to Hamilton Island in early May for the final selection process and the six-month contract will commence on July 1.

* To vote for the only Irish contender log on to www.eircom.net/travel.