25 in the running for NSW Chief Funster – Australia’s most popular ‘Best Job’

The lucky finalists, selected from 124,000 entries, had two weeks to generate support for their application for Chief Funster, which will see them travel the State as social media commentator, appearing at major events, festivals, tourism and media launches -sharing the latest and greatest about what’s happening in NSW with the world, and encouraging visitors to book their trip.

Finalists for Chief Funster haven’t disappointed their prospective employer, Destination NSW -the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency - with applicants not only having strong experience and skills to be the State’s social commentator, but also going to great creative lengths to show their determination to secure the best job and finding some impressive supporters.

Jane Chiao from America convinced US talk show host Stephen Colbert and his entire studio audience to do the harlem shake for her entry video. Kritika Naidu from India has signed up Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey, and Bollywood actor, Aadarsh Balakrishna and Wales’ Gaz Proctor has former WBO Super Middleweight world boxing champion, Joe Calzaghe in his corner. While he didn’t manage to secure the real person, Pablo Martinez from Mexico dressed up as Aussie icon Dame Edna Everage for his application.

The 25 finalists are from 12 destinations, with NSW attracting the only finalists from India, Japan, Sweden and Lithuania. Chief Funster has also proved popular amongst residents from the UK/Europe, with 10 entries making the Top 25; and America with six.

Destination NSW CEO, Sandra Chipchase said of the Chief Funster finalists, “The variety of expertise, experience and enthusiasm across all of the Top 25 Chief Funster applicants is fantastic. Our entrants include a social media manager for a travel show sponsored by Google, an ex-entertainment reporter for NBC, a cricket reporter from India and a UK radio presenter, they are all in good stead to fulfil the requirements of the role. We even attracted applicants who communicated their entry entirely in rap music!

“The task of shortlisting the list to a final three will not be easy as all of our finalists are more than capable of communicating to the world all the wonderful experiences to be found in Sydney and NSW for youth travellers and working holiday makers,” Ms Chipchase said.

The Chief Funster who will be based in Sydney, will have plenty of destinations, attractions and events to attend including:

Tourism Australia’s ‘Best Jobs in the World’ competition was launched in March, and is part of a campaign to promote tourism opportunities provided by Australia’s Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program. Applicants chose from six jobs from states across Australia, with NSW’s Chief Funster receiving the highest number of applications.

The Top 25 Chief Funster applicants can be viewed here.

For more information on things to see and do in Sydney and NSW for WHM and youth travellers click here.

The final three finalists for the Chief Funster will be announced on Wednesday 15 May 2013 with the final winner of the role being announced on Friday 21 June 2013 in Sydney.

Media Contact

Elissa Tyrrell, Destination NSW, +61 (0) 421 130 440, elissa.tyrrell@dnsw.com.au