Hi Dave, welcome to the forum! There's a heck of a lot of knowledge here.
First off, what books do you have at your fingertips?
Spidge will most likely be of the most help as he has extensive networks and has travelled widely in the region.
If you haven't come across this website yet, it will be a great help as it is full of information:
http://www.diggerhistory.info/
It is a truly huge site and probably the best about Australians and Kiwis at war where the info is readily available to print etc. Be sure to ask the webmaster for permission to use the material. Even asking him some questions might be of some help as well.
Where are you in NSW? Have you been to the Temora Aviation Museum? I believe they have some records including personal recollections from aircrew.
There's an absolute tonne of information out there, particularly in book format. I can't think of a overview book of Australia's role in the Pacific at the moment.
Feel free to ask as many questions as you like and we'll try to answer and point you towards more info.