G' Day Clinty,
Good advice form Mr Hat
Have you considered doing some part time flying to increase your hours while working in your current role? Maybe Skydiving?
I know how you feel, after leaving the military I worked in some of the most drone-like, mind numbing (but well payed) jobs known to man. I couldn't take it any more and after briefly considering going back to the ADF (my wife said divorce-not joking) I decided to go flying. I built up hours doing shark patrols and eventually quit my day job. My wife is understanding but there is a time limit. Once that limit is up, if flying cannot put food on the table I will have to find something else to do while flying part time.
I would say give it a good go, but family comes first. Good luck