I haven't lived in Mildura but I have visited and my close girlfriends family are from there. It is probably bigger than that small country town but that being said it does then mean that it has better access to shops etc. It is a warm climate over summer often hitting the 40 degree mark. If you are wanting more country I believe echuca is lovely, smaller but you still have access to the murray river, though not sure whereabouts for water skiing, and obviously not sure about employement prospects.