G'day B747,
No, sounds like you did all the right things, it's just a bad time for the industry at the moment.
While thankfully, not a lot of people have lost their jobs because of the big GFC, a lot in the airlines were placed on leave whether they liked it or not, flying has been down for nearly all commercial operators, and no one is hiring. So the result is no one is moving either!
I'd just keep plugging mate. Keep onto some of those operators and tell them you're still around. When something does come up, you might be the first name that pops into their head.
If you're not doing much where you are right now, then maybe move up north and just work in the local servo or something to pay the bills etc. You started out well by going up there, but you need to STAY up there as well.
Hopefully something will come up soon for you. I would go as far as saying in another 6 months or so, I wouldn't mind betting the industry will be starting to move again. Slowly, but it'll be a move at least.
Cheers
morno