Interview with Chris Bray
Thu 02 Apr 2009
With just hours to till the announcement of the top 10 Best Job in the World applicants ChannelWhitsunday.com sought some answers from the top 50 that have now endured months of blogging, interviews and sleepness nights as they campaign be the first "Island Caretaker" for the Great Barrier Reef.
We received this response from Chris Bray from Sydney, Australia about his campaign.
1. When you started out with BJITw did you consider the amount of time that you would have to put in to eventually be the island caretaker?
Not really. I entered at the last minute basically because I didn’t want to not be in the running. With so many other applicants, I didn’t rate my chances, so I didn’t even consider the amount of time spent in purgatory stage half way there, but hey – it’s all good. The only problem is that I just didn’t have as much spare time as I’d have liked to chase media etc over the last month. But I guess the same must be true of all applicants.
2. How many hours would you estimate that you have put into your campaign?
Lets say 1x 10hr day making the video, 5 hrs trying repeatedly to submit it online (haha), once in the shortlist... then probably 5hrs of actually doing or prepping radio interviews, perhaps another 3 for newspapers & TV, an hour or so writing media releases and online Facebook campaigns, probably a good 7 hours writing the ‘500-word’ blurb about myself to TQ, and a couple here and there with odds and ends, so that’s what, 35 hours? Add in all the countless hours of pampering and grooming and pedicures and haircuts and eyebrow plucking and mud-masks and considering breast implants etc before interviews, and it’d easily max out at thousands of hours. =P j/k
3. Who has been in the most inspirational and supportive in your campaign (outside your folks)?
If ‘my folks’ include my girlfriend, then I’d actually have to say that you, John, have been pretty motivating. I’m sure that sounds like I’m trying to suck-up to the interviewer here, but in all seriousness, John has spent a fair bit of time keeping in touch with me, giving advice, ideas and encouragement – thanks man. But overall, I’ve been really surprised and inspired by the number of people – friends and also random people – who have found out about my being shortlisted, and have all offered their support. It’s been great. (Awww shucks. ed.)
4. There has been some media and internet coverage that has been quite critical of the campaign. Have you come in for any direct flak for your success thus far? How did you feel about it?
I have not come under any direct fire that I am aware of for the campaign itself. I mean my application video on youtube has a few comments on it, one or two clearly from people who didn’t get shortlisted and vent their frustration over how my clip could have beaten theirs, saying things like “I almost thought this video was a joke... Really not so good at all.” But interestingly at the same time, other randoms posted supportive comments like “I absolutely loved this video! It catches your attention right away and holds it till the end... He would be great for the job.” So it’s been really interesting to sit back and watch how other people digest success and failure. Especially when you read about some people going public with claims that the only reason they weren’t picked was because they didn’t have big breasts or a washboard stomach. Ummm.. ‘Sore loser? Maybe?’ =P I’m no model, and my shirt stays on the entire video.
5. What is the most important thing you have learned during the process?
That you have to be in it to win it! I totally didn’t expect to get this far.
6. Should you not eventually become the IC, what does life look like after the dust has settled?
I.. I.. don’t even want to think about it.... =P Nagh, it’ll carry on just as it always has, one exciting project or adventure to the next. I’ve got my photography business starting up, my next expedition in April 09, then sailing a little yacht through the arctic with my girlfriend after that... In reality, I think I already have one of the best ‘jobs’ in the world, I’m really very lucky to be able to do what I do...to be a ‘professional adventurer’ it’s pretty cool, but I do wish it would pay the bills a little easier. But hey, life’s about having fun – it was fun before the campaign, it was certainly fun during the campaign, and there’s plenty of fun in store afterwards, whether or not I get the job.
