A nationwide search is underway this morning to find Australia’s first “Chief Star Counter”.
The perfect candidate will work on the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, which has just been named Queensland’s first international dark sky reserve.
And for those interested in the role, Visit Sunshine Coast CEO Matt Stoeckel told Today no prior experience is necessary.
“You don’t have to have counted stars before,” he told Today.
“And quite frankly we think when you look at the job description, the kids have one on the adults for this.”
Matt said the lucky candidate will have responsibilities like wishing on shooting stars and assessing the night sky for its ’twinkliness”.
A dark sky reserve is something awarded by DarkSky International and is awarded to places that can “demonstrate excellent stewardship of the night sky”, according to Dr Ken Wishaw.
“The community here has been behind this for about six years and is very enthusiastic about it and it is a high bar to achieve but we have done it,” Dr Wishaw said.
The Sunshine Coast hinterland obtained dark sky reserve status because of its incredible view of the night skies and Matt said there are strict measures in place to ensure that clear view of the stars remains.
“We are really lucky we don’t have to choose between growth and conservation,” Matt said.
“Being a dark sky reserve means we are protecting the dark skies and our beautiful starry nights for generations to come and to do it, there are some pretty simple measures… ensuring lighting just lights up the areas that need it, things like changing to the right light bulbs, or putting shields around street lights, all part of what it will mean to keep the Sunshine Coast hinterland a dark sky reserve.”
The Chief Star Counter role is a voluntary position and for those interested in finding out more about becoming Australia’s first with the title, click here.