Shaggy Dog Comments...

Issue 750

Seasons greetings from The Echo

Imagine South Park meets Frontline and you have some idea of what it's like to work at The Echo.

All the egos from a media organisation in a space too small for personaliities that large.

So each year, we like to gather the family together for a photo - and don't worry, it's as difficult for us as for any family gathering (a big thanks to Ben Rogers, who was passing by when we collared him to take the photo).

The Echo Family Photo for Xmas 2001

Pictured are: (front l-r) are: journo Dave 'I've got a great story for you... next week' Fawkner, sales reps Mark 'I'm off guys!' Robinson and Sharon 'guess who I just signed up?' Masters, sports editor Rudi 'who #@!ing wrote this?!' Maxwell, graphic artist Andy 'I'll be in shortly' Gough, (rear) office trainee Caitlin 'in a minute...' Johnson, ad sales rep Franco 'Has anyone seen?' Fresi, journo Terra 'I need more work' Sword, sales rep Ewan 'have you heard this album?' Williams, editor Simon 'Don't worry, he's always like that' Thomsen, sales manager Heather 'It's alright dear...' Williams, graphic artist Libby 'I'm not stressed' Miller, layup artist Alex 'I'm not sure why it won't work' Clarke, accounts manager Jill 'Show me the money!' Aitken and layup artist Zubin 'was I supposed to be there today?' Henner.

Missing are graphic artists Kendall 'any more classies?' Wardle, Michelle 'I'm off to Newcastle' Priestley and sports writer Ed 'I'm just going to get a coffee' Rummery.

A big thanks must also go to distribution wizards Rob and Sue Lane and their team of fantastic walkers who distribute the paper every week.

Thanks also to Andrew and Jenny Binns for moral and financial support. Shaggy must also thank Mrs Shaggy (aka The Curry Queen), and our pup, Stephanie, who let me keep a key to the front door so I can pop in occasionally to remind them what I look like. (Heather sends her love to Bruce, another enormously supportive partner).

Thanks, of course, to our regulars: stargazer Lillith Rocha, green thumbs Julia Hancock and Alan Hayes, flick chick Evelyn Gough, IT man Chris Goh, book worm Jeremy Fenton, Dr Effie Ablett, strike bowler Lois Mawter, swingin' Stan Bendall, Ian Clarke, Margo Kingston, David Ellis, Stuart Hayes, Tony Belton, Melissa Watkin, Brian Kinsella and Ruth Povall. And thanks to local artist Brent Young for our Christmas cover.

Most of all, we want to thank our big extended family of readers, for your support, encouragement, letters, tips, and willingness to tap us on the shoulder when we don't measure up. Thanks also for supporting our advertisers - and a big thank you to the businesses who invest in The Echo through the advertising, which brings you a free community newspaper. We couldn't do it without them, and we're thrilled that our readers support the people who support us.

A Merry Christmas to you all. It's been a punishing year of tears, anguish, disbelief, laughter, silliness, jubilation, delight, amazement and so many other things. We guess you could call it life. We can't say we've always enjoyed it, but it has been an honour to bring you all the local news, and for the first time, international news.

Here's to a happier 2002. The Echo team sends its love and best wishes to you and your family, and hope this is a safe and happy time for you all to catch some breath and relax.

We'll see you in letterboxes again on January 10.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Larnook has been battling for a safe bus bay outside its school for some time, but wasn't having much luck with Lismore Council's traffic advisory committee. So Catherine Rogers went to last week's council meeting to plead the school's case. Cr Ken Gallen, who's on the committee, gave a passionate explanation of why the school's proposal was being knocked back. 'And I've spoken to the Principal about this!' Cr Gallen declared. 'I am the Principal,' Ms Rogers said. Cr Gallen was taken aback before declaring, 'Well I've spoken to you.'

The plan for a bus bay opposite the school, paid for by the Dept. of Education, was approved by council later on.

Later on, council considered the community representatives on its committees. Despite being the year of the volunteer, not that many people put their hands up for committees on sport, civic pride, roads, koalas, floodplain management, aerodrome, Aboriginal advice and public transport. But the popular one was the art gallery, which had too many nominees. So Cr David Tomlinson proposed letting everyone sign up. But Cr Reg Baxter has a long memory, and recalled the time when the sports committee was too popular and he was forced to pick and choose. 'Cr Roberts tore strips off me for suggesting we expand the committee,' Reg said. Bemused by the thought of the normally placid Nimbin councillor getting stuck in to the baseball legend, the mayor said he would have liked to see it happen. Di didn't remember the incident. 'I must have been waxing his legs,' she said.

We've wanted to continue exploding myths about asylum seekers (www.erc.org.au), but space prohibits. We'll return to them in the new year, but leave you with the government's latest act of charity: soft toys donated by Aussies to the kids in detention will not be given to them because, the government says with a straight face, the toys might spread germs... so be careful with your presents, that Paddington bear could be a terrorist.