Although this is thread creep, there is nothing unique about Australia except the tall poppy syndrome, extreme parochialism and 'austronauts'. Having flown in Aus 'in the bush', ADF, RFDS and domestic jet RPT, there are far more numerous challenging environments throughout the 'rest of the world'. I am saying this from a 'been there/done that' perspective, who didn't realise how parochial and incestuous Australian aviation as an industry is until I got out and experienced 'the rest of the world'. Way too many 'self perceived' big fish in what is in actuality a very small puddle.