Hello laschilds,
My apologies for your frustrations. Please confirm that your Bigpond email settings are correct in the client you are using to access your emails at the following link - https://www.telstra.com.au/support/category/email/set-up/imap-pop-and-smtp-information-for-manual-email-set-up
If you require assistance recovering either detail of your Bigpond Email account (Username or Password)
Forgotten Username: https://myacct.bigpond.com/forgottenUsername?execution=e5s1
Forgotten Password: https://myacct.bigpond.com/forgottenPassword?execution=e6s1
For more information regarding this, please refer to the following link - https://crowdsupport.telstra.com.au/t5/General-Internet-KB/How-To-Retrieve-Username-and-or-Password-Online/ta-p/102710
Please let us know how you go with this
Regards