Sadly nosegear, the answers experienced are merely indicative of the macho and somewhat insular culture in GA that exists in certain circles in Oz an NZ. If you haven't already experienced it (I don't know your background etc) then apart from it being a bit off putting it also shows those of us who have ventured beyond our home shores that the "hard yards" and the "185's a mans aeroplane" BS is just that, sure anything with a tailwheel can be a challenge at times...but so is a straight shot with a 1 iron. Ignore the flat earthers' and good luck finding something that isn't owned by a weekend warrior with a small d1ck complex
Where haughtney says 'exists in certain circles in Oz' I would say exists in most circles. A lot of the time it's ignorance, a lot of the time it's dickheadedness.