Under the radar:
CAAP 152-1(10) begs to differ... if the aircraft is to be operated in IMC then it is required to be IFR. Else it goes down to the manual specification, yes i agree you can climb and decend VMC (there is alternate requirements)
The specific manuals will also stipulate the minimum quals required, but in most places I know of and have flown at CIR was a min.
The motif of the manual where the aircraft is not IFR is for SCT cloud however i agree most operators will take this to the extreme.
Beaver.... Hindsight is a wonderful thing isn't it, are you saying you would tell someone not to do the exact tame thing as what you did only now because you have got through that stage in your career, buy some kleenex. I think most people have done stuff in there career that they are not proud of.