Shaggy Dog Comments...

Page MP Ian Causley returned to his old job as Parliament's deputy speaker this week, working beside new speaker David Hawker, the Liberal MP in Malcolm Fraser's old seat of Wannon. Veteran press gallery journalist Alan Ramsey reminded Sydney Morning Herald readers that Mr Hawker has a connection with this region. Following the 1990 election, which saw Labor win the seat of Richmond for the first time, Hawker got up in Question Time to interrogate PM Bob Hawke about the ALP's taxpayer-funded rort which trebled MP's postage allowance to $30,000 a year. Hawkie came back with an answer the next day. Opposition leader John Hewson spent $5100, Hawkie blew $10,255, and former Nationals leader and Richmond MP Charlie Blunt spent a staggering $278,922 - all but $23,000 of it in the last 17 days before the election. While it was to no avail, at least it made Blunt memorable for one reason.

Next time you're headed to the throne, spare a thought (if not spend a penny) for the two billion people around the planet who don't have access to sanitary toilets. This enormous problem is just one of the many complex issues being considered at the world toilet summit in China this week. Organisers say access to a dunny is a basic human right, especially since people spend around three years of their life going to the loo. And to celebrate this auspicious occasion, Friday is World Toilet Day. And we're not taking the piss.

God cooks in mysterious ways... a decade-old cheese sarnie (pictured), allegedly featuring an image of the Virgin Mary, was for sale on eBay this week, attracting ridiculous bids bigger than your average third world debt. The internet auction house cancelled bids the first time at around $28,000, saying it was a joke, but when it was listed again on Tuesday, the price rose to $US99,999,999 within five hours.

The sandwich's owner bit into it 10 years ago and claims she saw Our Lady staring back at her. It's been kept in a plastic box, hasn't gone mouldy, and supposedly helped her win $70,000 in a casino. We look forward to the Mel Gibson movie.

We've enjoyed the latest variation on the old Nigerian oil sting, which landed in our email box this week. This one was from "Robert Chavez" - an American in Iraq, now in a Danish hospital unable to talk from "very fatal injuries". Seems his dying wish is to share the $8.5 million he salted away during the Gulf War - thanks to a Road to Damascus conversion - with victims of the Sudan war, and me! It's a shame these guys don't put their creative writing skills to good use in a bestseller. They'd make more money that way.

Shaggy recently heard an intriguing tidbit from Jason Lee, raconteur and grandson of the founder of confectioners Darryl Lee. You know how life's pretty straight without a Twistie, well he recalled that it was a family invention - although originally as food for cattle, made from corn and rice.

Christmas comes early

Christmas Shop volunteers (l-r) Lorna Crowther, Peg Parry, Beryl Lavis and Glenda Roe with some of the hand made Christmas goodies available until November 27.

If you're looking for a one-off Christmas gift and you like the idea of supporting charity at the same time, drop into the Anglican Parish Christmas Shop at 79 Magellan Street (next to the Commonwealth Bank) and grab a bargain.

Throughout the year volunteers make hundreds of hand made Christmas gifts including cushions and tablecloths, baby clothes, bags, tea towels, gift packs, knee rugs, towels and much more. They also have a selection of plants, puddings and home cooked goodies, with all proceeds going back into the local community via the parish's charity work.

The Anglican Parish Christmas Shop is open until November 27. Trading hours are Monday to Friday from 9am-5pm and Saturday from 9am-12pm.

l The parish is always looking for more craft enthusiasts to help out. If you'd like to get involved, phone Peg on 6621 3987.