In Australia we to are short of controllers. The people who could have made a difference chose instead to ignore the situation until it has become critical.
Almost daily closure of airspace occurs due to the inability to have people come in to prop up the system.
Many Oz controllers are looking overseas after becoming dissatisfied with the current situation, those that are at retirement age are just choosing to leave. JW - i think the situation is universal as the only time you notice ATC is when it is not there!