Bush Pilot,
Do you really WANT to do engineering? I am a degree qualified Aerospace Engineer myself and I have strived throughout my entire career NOT to do any real engineering jobs. I pretty much succeeded - except for one job that I did as I find it boring and hated the degree (but loved going to uni).
Mind you just recently I have had the opportunity to play aircraft designer and that has been a whole heap of fun. However my love is flying the aircraft not working out what repair is necessary to maintain the aircraft in an airworthy state (pretty much all you will do in Australia as an aero anyway, there is bugger all aircraft design).
So my advice to you is unless you really like engineering give it a miss and do a trade as a LAME as suggested or just keep yourself fit, active and eat healthy food.
Cheers
Mr B