Coincidentally I have just started a Government job this year (financial year, so like 3 weeks ago).
I took it for the regular paycheck, the RDO's and the fucken obscene superannuation.
You can email me at [email protected] if you want to know more.

But seriously, contracting pays well although it is hit and miss, you can go months without work.
I did alright installing and training on SAP ordering systems over the last 3-4 years, for NT Government and some of the big mining guys in the north of Australia and PNG. I got into that because the printing industry has shrunk dramatically since 2000 and all my contacts are "retired" now, so I would not even know how to approach the big companies that are left (most were bought out by overseas interests).

I live in the country now and see moo cows every day on my drive to work. If I get in to work early enough there are kangaroos grazing on the lawns. Can't complain but being me I will find something sooner or later. I can "retire early" in ten years time and will be sitting pretty if I can stick with this NSW Government job, but in my experience old men need to keep busy or they just die. So I have ten years to find a part time gig or a hobby that doesn't involve shouting at the cloud(s).

/sincerity