Shaggy Dog Comments...

You might notice we've changed our name this week to Shaggy Hack as a tribute to another newspaper that seems to be increasingly copying The Echo approach to local news. Today, they've launched a new column called Hack, featuring 'funny stories, gossip, quirky material and the occasional rant'. Hmmm... sounds familiar. We're flattered lads, but it's good to see you finally catching up.

Congrats to both the punters and police at last Thursday's Lismore Cup. People got the message and not a single person pulled over for an RBT when leaving the racetrack was found to be over the limit. Alas a few idiots were nabbed in town later that night. But police also went out of their way to help those wise enough to not drive. Shaggy hears that with the cab ranks full to overflowing, the police even gave a few punters a lift home.

Congratulations to the Australian women's Paralympic basketball team, the Gliders, who ended up with a silver medal after going down to the USA 56-44 in the final on the weekend. It follows on from their silver medal at the Sydney Paralympic Games. The Aussie men's team, the Rollers, also scored silver as the Canadian men's wheelchair basketball team won back-to-back gold, defeating the Rollers 70-53. All up, the 144-member Australian Paralympic team produced some impressive results, winning 100 medals - 26 gold, 38 silver and 36 bronze - the second best overall effort of the 136 participating nations. They finished fifth on the medal table behind China, Great Britain, Canada and the USA, winning medals in eight of the 12 sports they competed in. One of the most extraordinary performances of the Games came from sprinter Tim Sullivan, who won four gold medals in Athens to add to his five in Sydney. He had a 10th gold in his sights, leading the cerebral palsy class 4 x 100m relay, when he fell in the home straight.

After winning silver in Sydney, Ballina's Brett Boylan missed out on the medals in the wheelchair rugby after his team was beaten by Canada 36-33 in the quarter finals

Sadly, the Games ended on a tragic note after seven teenagers were killed in a bus crash as they travelled to the Paralympics. It led organisers to cancel the closing ceremony celebrations, with the athletes pausing for a minute's silence as a mark of respect.

The athletes make their way home today.

Our silent hero, Humphrey B Bear, is in Lismore this weekend, delighting kids at Lismore Shopping Square with a daily show until this Sunday, October 2. The funny ol' fella went into showbiz 39 years ago (just in time to entertain a newborn Shaggy). Humphrey will perform live at 11am in the food court. Kids will also have the chance to win great prizes in the colouring competition running during Senor B Bear's visit to the Square.

Correction

Last week's story 'Women protest against Nimbin violence' by Gloria Meltzer contained quotes by Natalie Meyer and Mandie Hale that were incorrect. Ms Meyer says she did not claim that she was threatened with a gun, that she did not call police and subsequently, they did not refuse to attend. The Echo regrets the error and apologises to those concerned.

It's a dog's life

The Nimbin Show Society put on its most successful show in a decade last weekend, with hundreds turning out for two days of traditional country fun.

One of the happiest punters at the show was Kali McCoy (pictured), who was thrilled when her dog Harry won the 'medium size dog class' in Sunday's dog jumping competition.

"We had a lovely show and a great turn out - the best we've had in about 10 years," said Show Society secretary Janelle Robinson. "A lot of former residents from Nimbin came back for the show and I think everyone had a lot of fun catching up. We also had a lot of new visitors and they loved it."

The next event on the show circuit is the North Coast National in Lismore from October 20-24.

Photo: Rodney Hearne.