I hear you Aussie Bob. Bugsmashers are bugsmashers, not jets.
By Vr, a transport category aircraft is already committed to continued flight. As opposed to merely breaking the surly bonds of earth at some minimum speed determined by the airframe's performance on the day and accelerating to a safe margin above the stall while in ground effect and before attempting to climb. With no commitment to continued flight possible.
As for those who say that using airstrips which require short field techniques are pushing their luck, what about those who fly high performance singles over built up areas? If their engine quit, could they really get into that park or football field?
40 knots or less is a very desirable stall speed for any single.