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Can I suggest you talk to some of the Astronomy Associations in Brisbane for advice. I've never built a scope and would never have that patience, but here are a couple of comments I can repeat from chats with older and wiser club members:
It's probably faster to grind a small mirror and then do a larger mirror, than to start with larger mirror because of the learning curve (as Astro744 said!)
You have to grind and figure only one optical surface for a reflecting telescope. You have to figure both sides of any lens you make for a refractor - lot more work.
Also, have a search in the refractor section of Cloudy Nights. Everything's bigger in America and there are some monster refractors there - they might just scare you a bit, especially when you consider the mount required to hold them steady!
DT
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