Shaggy Dog Comments...
The Sydney-based Liberals for Forests were the big mystery of the election, with rumours doing the rounds that it was actually a Labor Party front after it was revealed that one of the candidates was a former union official. But the one thing for certain is that they had money. Local polling booths all had LFF campaign workers giving out How to Vote cards on Saturday. It turns out most of them were backpackers, from countries like Germany and Canada, who simply responded to work ads pinned on the notice boards at youth hostels. Apparently they scored around $50 for their troubles.
While Page MP Ian Causley had plenty to celebrate on Saturday night after returning with an increased majority, one of his campaign workers got a little too relaxed and comfortable and left his digital camera outside, where it decided to leave the party of its own accord.
It turns out that Migaloo, the white whale seen of Byron Bay in recent years, is a bloke. Researchers at SCU collected skin samples that came off as he swam past and tested his DNA. Migaloo was about 13-metres long and thought to be about 17-years-old. He's the only all-white humpback whale known in the world.
After travelling 22,700 km in 27 days to visit 50 BIG Aussie icons, Kristy Templeton and Tim Hartigan, who featured in Shaggy recently, announced that the Big Rocking Horse in Gumeracha, SA, was the nation's top big thing, followed by the Coffs banana, Nambour's pineapple and the big buffalo in the Northern Territory. Ballina's big prawn didn't rate, but the town did come in at No. 10 in the list of top destinations to visit with big things.
Thousands of refugees are currently returning to the war-torn south of Sudan, only to find their villages have been destroyed in the conflict. Caritas Australia is providing resettlement kits containing blankets, soap, a mosquito net, cooking pot, plastic sheeting and a water bucket. To support their work in southern Sudan you can make a donation by calling 1800 024 413 or online at www.caritas.org.au.
The Echo's fame has spread far and wide it seems thanks to an observant reporter at the esteemed British newspaper The Guardian. In a profile of the Australian elections, he gave the impression the Aussies didn't care all that much after seeing the top news in the October Echo.
"For the Northern Rivers Echo in Lismore," the reporter wrote, "the big news this week was the location of a new sewage plant." As any pollie will tell you, all politics is local. The story also made colourful local Nora-Vidler Blanksby world-famous by mentioning her role as MC in International Lesbian Day celebrations at the Italo Club.
Alas, the Poms just don't understand the Australian media which, when not worried about Warnie's antics or Delta's underpants, frets far more over the eviction of Idol Ricki-Lee than voters rejecting Biffo or the Lying Rodent.
Bark Busters founder and dog therapist Sylvia Wilson with Bullseye, a puppy she saved from the pound, who went on to star in the musical Oliver.
Dog day afternoon
 If, unlike Shaggy's master, you're a dog owner with a naughty or disobedient pooch, the Goonellabah Veterinary Hospital is holding a free doggy workshop and fun day this Saturday, October 16. Well-known vet James Clarke-Williams will be giving advice and hands-on assistance to owners of unruly or difficult dogs, and there will be plenty of giveaways and prizes for pooches and their owners. There will also be advice on nutrition and free samples of Advance premium dog food.
Founder of Bark Busters, Sylvia Wilson, will make a special guest appearance, offering advice to visitors and giving away autographed copies of her book. This dog day afternoon is at the Goonellabah Veterinary Clinic, 37 Holland Street, from 1 to 4pm.
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No business like the show business
 The Lismore show gets underway in 1946, as featured in Helen Trustum's new book It's Showtime!
The North Coast National gets underway next Wednesday and local historian and writer Helen Trustum, who's previously chronicled the intricacies of legendary institutions like the saleyards and country halls, has now turned her attention to the local show circuit.
Her new book, It's Showtime!, is a 600-page history of 16 country shows in the Northern Rivers region, from Grafton to Murwillumbah. Alas the Clunes, Coraki, Urbenville and Ulmarra shows are now part of history, but 12 shows remain and Helen has captured their atmosphere and stories wonderfully, with plenty of historic pictures to evoke times past.
It's Showtime! will be launched at the North Coast National next Friday, October 22, at 5pm, by the ABC's Colin Munro. MP Thomas George, who knows a thing or two about country shows, will auction off the first copy, with proceeds going to the Rescue Helicopter. The book will be on sale at the show for $40.
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