There are plenty of guys on RCU from Australia. You need to PM one or more of them and find a way to get with a club/instructor even if it is even just for a weekend or weeks vacation. The chances of surviving are going to be much higher.
Go to this link
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=1937039
and click on the email link at the bottom. I'm not sure it will still work but he is an experienced flyer/instructor in your town of Gladstone. His post is old so he may have moved on though but it is woth a try.
If that doesn't work, go to the top of the page to "member list" and click there.
In interest area select "airplanes".
In narrow by location select "Australia".
then click "find member".

You will then get 10 or more pages of Australian members. Reas through the list like I did until you find one in your area (I don't know your geography) and make contact. You can get more info by clicking on their names in the lists.

Good luck.