A beacon in the dark..

Dear Sir,

I would like to take this opportunity to express my interest as well with my girlfriend, in the Maatsuyker Island volunteer position recently advertised on your Parks site.

I am a 25 year old male, currently working as a Building Surveyor in Western Australia for Local Government. A position I’ve held on and off over the past 6 years. I have recently returned from a six month working holiday in the Northern Territory as a Building Technical Officer for the Department of Planning & Infrastructure. As for my girlfriend, she is currently operating in Vietnam as an English teacher through a GAP volunteer program, due back in late January.

After visiting Tasmania on a short stay in 2004, I was convinced I would be returning to explore the more remote areas of the wilderness in the future. And as such, will be travelling to Tasmania in early November to take part in a few self guided walks through the south west on established walking trails etc.

I have no official plans of returning to Western Australia and am open for this position should you find me a desirable applicant. I understand you will have processes and would be grateful if you could forward any further information regarding this position, as I believe this would be a great opportunity and experience.

Kind regards

Juice..

The advertisment..

The Parks and Wildlife Service is seeking self-sufficient volunteers able to withstand the buffeting Roaring Forties for a four or six month stint at Australia's southernmost lighthouse on Maatsuyker Island.

Parks and Wildlife Service general manager Peter Mooney said Maatsuyker, which is part of the Southwest National Park, was famous for its rugged setting 10 kilometres off the coast of Tasmania.

"Volunteers have been assisting the Parks and Wildlife Service in its management of the natural and cultural values of the island for a number of years and we are again seeking expressions of interest from people willing to undertake these duties during a four or six month placement on the island.

"The volunteers help to maintain the buildings and machinery on the remote island.

"Volunteers also work with the Bureau of Meteorology under a separate contract to carry out daily weather observations."

Mr Mooney said the volunteer caretaker program enabled people to contribute to the ongoing preservation of lighthouses and the islands on which they are located.

"Volunteer caretakers on Deal and Maatsuyker islands are very important in preserving the cultural heritage of the islands."

Mr Mooney said that people interested in the position should be aware that the weather on Maatsuyker was frequently cold, wet and windy, that the island had limited facilities and access was by helicopter only.



---------------------------------------------

Five Fun Facts, as stolen from wikipedia..

1. Maatsuyker Island is the southernmost island of the group and of the Australian continental shelf.

2. Maatsuyker Island, is approximately 2.6 kilometres long north/south at its longest on a bearing of 196°, by 1.2 kilometres wide east/west at its widest on a bearing of 105°

3. Reportedly, the first keepers of the light took chickens with them to Maatsuyker but the fowls blew away into the ocean.

4. Vegetables get blown flat by the wind, but surprisingly, can be grown successfully (Helpful if you are supposed to live on it!)

5. To add to the wind, there are an average of 249 rain days a year..

:)