Monday 28 July 2014

GRAFTON NANNAS KNIT-IN OUTSIDE HOGAN'S OFFICE


On Thursday July 24 the Grafton Nannas gathered to knit at a different venue - outside the Prince Street office of our Federal MP, Kevin Hogan, Member for Page.  As two nannas were meeting with Mr Hogan to discuss the government's position on gas mining,it was decided a knit-in outside his Grafton office was a good idea.

While indicating they were pleased that Mr Hogan continued in his opposition to gas mining in the Page electorate, the Nannas outlined some of their concerns about statements made by politicians such as the Prime Minister and the Minister for Industry wholeheartedly supporting the gas mining industry.

Their concern about this was reiterated in  a letter handed to Mr Hogan during the meeting.  The text of  part of this letter is printed below:

We consider that far too often politicians and their governments, which are supposed to represent their constituents, are more interested in representing "the big end of town" to the detriment of the ordinary people.  In using the excuse of the importance of the economic advantages of developments such as gas-mining will bring, they ignore the detrimental social, economic and environmental consequences which will have long-term effects on the general community.

We believe that you could play a very valuable role in educating those politicians in the Federal Government who are such enthusiastic supporters of gas mining.  As well as explaining why so many people oppose this industry, you could show them that these opponents are a diverse group across the community - not just the so-called "itinerants" and "ratbags" that some of your ill-informed colleagues choose to label them.

An additional service you could perform for your constituents would be to educate your Northern Rivers State National colleagues who are only now showing some concern about the gas mining industry.  We suggest you could arrange a fact-finding tour for them and yourself to a gas mining area in Queensland to speak to those farmers and other community members who are severely impacted by the industry.  Lock the Gate Northern Rivers would, we are sure, be able to provide you with advice on a suitable area to inspect and information on a range of local people to speak to.

We suggest that you also extend the invitation to State Nationals Leader Andrew Stoner who is certainly in need of education on this issue.  As Minister for the North Coast his attendance would be an added advantage. 

We urge you to take up these suggestions in educating your colleagues.  If you do so, you will be performing a very valuable service to your constituents and to many other concerned community members around the country.

After the discussion with the two Nannas, Mr Hogan joined the Nannas outside to be presented with a Nanna beanie knitted by Nanna Trinette and a photo with the Nannas.

The Nannas enjoyed very much the new venue and the chats they had with passers-by.  But they will be returning to their old "haunt" outside the office of Chris Gulaptis.  They don't want our State MP to think they are neglecting him!

 SERIOUS  KNITTING  NANNAS  HARD  AT  WORK





 AND  THE  DECORATIONS



Saturday 12 July 2014

NANNAS & SUPPORTERS BRAVE COLD WINDS

The Grafton Nannas were pleased to welcome two Nanna daughters to their knit-in outside Mr Gulaptis' office on Tuesday July 8.  The older Nannas are delighted to see young ones brandishing their needles in the cause of protecting our land and water.



 
The serious expressions may have had something to do with the chilly wind whistling along Prince Street.

Supporter Steve, who is not a knitter, decided to enliven proceedings on the footpath with his appropriately labelled hoon vehicle.
We do have a "Poppy" knitter in our Grafton loop but he's been a little too busy to join our knit-ins for a while.  But he really is a talented knitter which his masterpiece jumper (designed and knitted by him) clearly shows. We all hope he'll join a knit-in again soon.

Tuesday 1 July 2014

LISMORE NANNAS JOIN THEIR GRAFTON COMPATRIOTS

When Nannas from the Grafton Loop of the Knitting Nannas set up their chairs today
outside the office of Chris Gulaptis, MP, they were delighted to welcome Margaret and Mary,  two members of the Lismore Nannas to their knit-in.

 Another newcomer to the local knit-in was a very junior Nanna who was keeping her grandmother company and very adroitly working on her french knitting. The future of Knitting Nannery is being ensured by the stalwarts of our movement who are showing the youngsters what needs to be done to protect our land and water.  


As usual the Nannas had plenty to talk about as they clacked their needles. 

Some of us envied Dorothy in her coat of many colours which kept her very warm as the day cooled down.  And we all admired the colourful vest she has almost completed.



   
Dorothy's vest




Another admired object was the Lismore chook badge made by the talented Louise of Chooks Against Gas fame.  Some of us are hoping that  Lismore Nannas will bring chook badges with them when they next visit - as some  of us would love to add one of these to our Nanna badge collection.
Before we left our Crocheter Extradordinaire tied a little gift to the rail outside the office - one of the many varied yarn bombs which has been left  after most knit-ins for our local member.  We hope that he is collecting them as mementos of our visits.