Got it in one!
Apart from Mildura (where most crew live within a 5 min drive from the airport) the only crew who turn up to bbq's are either starting or finishing their shifts.
To the OP:
Can I later move into Qantas mainline?
QantasLink has an agreement with Qantas Airlines for progression into "Qantas mainline". As a guide, under this agreement pilots are required to be employed for a minimum period of 2 years with QantasLink prior to applying for a position on a heavy jet within Qantas Airlines.
I wont call this an outright lie, as this agreement exists.
However, it is currently on hold.
DIVOSH!