On January 12, I wrote about Tourism Queensland advertising for a ‘caretaker’ for the Hamilton Island (The Sun Shines Through the Crunch! Go Down Under…….), a tropical island in the Great Barrier Reef. That was when the world was once again waking up to the pangs of depression after a few weeks of denial – celebrating Christmas and New Year holidays.
Hamilton Island Sunset
A great deal of speculation followed…..the advertisement was slated to be a farce, some said it was a hoax. An Australian publication went to great lengths in proving how ridiculous the news was. And all was forgotten.
Three months gone and I am in India, lazying around in Bangalore, indulging in gorgeous food and looking around at the ridiculously hypocritical ‘circus’ of Indian politics preparing for the General Elections. Guess what I find out? It seems someone from this city took my words seriously (as a country cousin) and applied for the job 
(Is my blog popular!)
Jokes apart, it seems Tourism Queensland’s advertisement was bona fide and the Australian Government has confirmed that millions of entries had poured in for the “Best Job in the World”, out of whom 35,000 were shortlisted. Then the Top 50 were chosen based on psychometric and aptitude tests that the contestants took online.
The final shortlist has now been announced and the 16 include a Canadian journalist, Japanese receptionist, German actress among others for the job. And did I tell you that the guy who seemed to have read my blog is a Radio Jockey from Bangalore – and he is one of the 15. RJ Anjaan, a 28-year-old radio host, who is multi-skilled including choreographed dancing, will fly on May 3 to Hamilton Island along with 15 other candidates for final selection on $150,000 six month contract to look after the tropical island, ABC reported. Anjaan used to host the night show from 9pm to midnight from Monday to Saturday on Radio One Bangalore.
Anjaan - a Radio Host from Bangalore
My money is on him – for one reason – he will hit the ground running – wont waste time on a tan – its natural all the way for him!
Do you disagree……
Tourism Queensland – its your time to listen to me!
I have to disagree — because I’m up against Anjaan! But I have to say, from all the online encounters I’ve had with him since we were both shortlisted, he seems like a great guy and I’m really looking forward to meeting him and the other candidates in the flesh on May 2.
Hi Erik,
Go for it……..I guess being in Bangalore at the time when Anjaan got to the short list made things cool for me to write about…
I am sure it will be a fair contest on the 2nd…..may the best and most deserving WIN!!!
Please keep me posted on anything interesting running up to the finals….I would like to blog about it.
Good luck!
A
Hey
Thanx for your confidence in me. I did make it to the finals and had a ball of a time “down under”.
Im back now after a month of adventure filled excitement in OZ and should be shortly back on air. I currently am employed as Sr. Programmign Manager with the BBC Midday Radio Network – Radio One FM 94.3 (www.radioone.in)
Thanx for your post wishing me luck, Im glad i chanced by it.
Warm Regards
Anjaan
Psst – sorry to burst your bubble – I didnt find out about the competition through your blog.. but its a worthwhile attempt at making people beleive i did~! *grin*
Hey Anjaan,
This is a blogger’s dream come true…..how good is it to hear from someone you write about without expecting it to be read by any one!!!!!
I was really excited reading about you while on vacation to Bangalore and brought it back to my Aussie friends and colleagues in London – they were a bit surprised I must say!
And then I had Erik writing a few lines as well!!!
Good you enjoyed your time and I am also pretty impressed with your radio programmes. In my past life I used to be in FM broadcasting as well……Calcutta and Goa in the mid-90s.
If you are in London drop me a line.
Thansk for dropping by…
Cheers,
P.S:
Hope you got the joke in my claims about my blogs popularity and its influence on you – “millions read it”
Hello
Im back and this reading this brought a HUGE smile to my face! Thank you again
Anjaan
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