GRAFTON NANNAS TALK TO ELECTION CANDIDATE

At our knit-in on Tuesday February 17 the Grafton Nannas had a natter with one of the candidates standing in the Clarence electorate at the March 28 state election.  Independent candidate Bryan Robins joined us for a chat about election issues and the role of independents and those representing political parties in the upcoming election. 

We were delighted to hear that Bryan strongly opposes gas mining. (We Nannas think ALL candidates should come out strongly in opposition to this damaging industry!)

We were also chuffed with his praise for the Knitting Nannas - the Grafton Loop and all the other Nannas -  and their effective campaigning on the problems associated with gas mining. 

The Grafton Nannas enjoyed their chat with Bryan Roberts (centre)

Nanna supporter Barry (who by now should be classified as a Poppa) astounded us with his new activity - darning socks!  It seems he's been self-conscious about sitting with us and not being busy creating with his hands.  "I can't knit," he said, "so I'm going to wield a needle and darn."  He thinks he needs to practise quite a bit before he becomes a 'darner extraordinaire'!  We wonder if the Grafton Loop are the only Nannas with a darning Poppa.

Our enthusiastic darning Poppa.  Go Baz!!!

Sarah continues to produce metres and metres of french knitting.  Is she planning to use it to lock dozens of gates?  At the moment she hasn't a plan.  Maybe she will use at least some of it to decorate her wonderful Nanna apron.

Sarah's french knitting grows and grows

Sarah's great Nanna apron

Dorothy's wonderful knitted animals enjoyed an outing with Steve's noisy racer.

GRAFTON NANNAS START THEIR 2015 KNIT-INS

The Grafton nannas enjoyed a long rest over December and January.  Now greatly refreshed - and energised by the up-coming state election - they've pulled out their wool and brandished their needles.  They met outside MP Chris Gulaptis' office on February 3rd and compared notes on their holidays and had a hilarious time discussing the political shennanigans in Queensland and in the federal sphere.

Lynette showed how busy she has been over the break creating some wonderful new crocheted banners.  We all particularly love - and heartily endorse - the banner I WANT A GOVERNMENT THAT'S NOT FOR SALE.  Needless to say, we think the one about the gasfield ban rather than the dubious  gas plan is also great.

Nannas display Lynette's new banners

A chook against gas ready to take off and campaign!

 

 

Dianne tries on her new jacket made by Dorothy

The Nanna Wrap

Knitting Nannas Against Gas founding loop yesterday premiered their music video in true Nanna style - live music, video preview, and of course tea and cakes!!!

Click on the link below - Nannas in action - watch and share!

THE NANNA WRAP

SADIES THE CLEANING LADIES

A group of talented Nannas, inspired by the politics to the north of us, have created an entertaining short movie about cleaning up the political pigsty.

There are certainly messages there for Queensland - but the messages apply to NSW as well - AND to our federal politicians who are so determined to do what the mining companies want  - to the detriment of local communities.

If you haven't already done so, check it out   -     SADIES MOVIE.

ANOTHER LETTER TO OUR LOCAL MEMBER

After a quiet period the Grafton Nannas shook out their yarns and returned to knit-in outside the Grafton office of Member for Clarence, Chris Gulaptis. At their latest knit-in on Tuesday December 2, they delivered a letter to Mr Gulaptis about the State Government's latest plans to change one of its State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPP) relating to gas mining.

The text of the letter is below:

"The Grafton Loop of the Knitting Nannas Against Gas is shocked that the NSW Government is proposing changes to gas mining regulations to remove the requirement for a full EIS for six or more gas wells,  This will make the process less transparent and will give the community less opportunity for input into the planning process.

"The Nannas are shocked because the Chief Scientist's Report emphasised the need for transparency in the government's dealing with the gas mining industry.

"It seems to us that the Government has not learnt anything from the difficulties it has had over the past few years inrelation to gas-mining.  It obviously still believes it can ignore community concerns and continue to pander to the big mining companies.

"We understand that Santos and AGL support these changes.  Hardly surprising!

"These proposed changes should be abandoned."

 

Dorothy's Tea Cosies

Anna's Pattern

THE KNITTING GOES ON IN GRAFTON

Grafton Nannas are continuing their knit-ins outside the office of Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis.  Numbers have been down as many nannas have been away but each week a few stalwarts have been clicking their needles, flashing their crochet hooks or winding their french knitting dollies.  And the nannas have enjoyed having supporters join them.

RECENT  KNIT-INS

Dorothy returned from a northern sojourn looking after a grandson with two nearly complete vests-of- many-colours which she was commissioned to crochet.  Wonderful colourful jackets - just the thing for a nanna knitter to go out on the town in!

Supporter Steve has been entertaining the nannas, and startled passers-by, with his remote car which was recently joined by Tweetie Pie.

LATEST GRAFTON KNIT-INS

After their change of scenery for the knit-in outside federal MP Kevin Hogan's Grafton office, the Nannas returned to their old haunt outside the office of Chris Gulaptis MP at the other end of Prince Street. They don't want Mr Gulaptis to feel neglected and, as one Nanna said, "It's the state politicians like Mr Gulaptis we need to convince.  And the closer the election gets, the more likely they are to take notice!"

KNIT-IN August 5

 The Nannas were happy to be back at the river end of the street.

As usual, there were works to be admired.  Ann was very taken with Dorothy's beautiful knitted echidna.  And we all were impressed with the yellow and black goanna that Anna is working on.  It will be a fearsome-looking creature when she finishes it.

One Nanna showed how inventive these crafty ladies can be.  Wanting to knit a "yarn bomb" to tie to the Gulaptis rail, she asked if anyone had a spare set on knitting needles as hers were already in use. As no-one could help, she used one knitting needle and a biro to knit a yarn-bomb tie.

Using a biro to knit a yarn-bomb strip.

Yarn-bomb in place.

KNIT-IN  August 12

On this rather chilly afternoon the Nannas were joined by a head which some might refer to as a "celebrity".  But these Grafton Nannas, remembering that the politician represented by this head was a strong supporter of  gas mining, did not welcome its presence.

On a pleasanter note the Nannas admired Trinette's pink cotton washer and Dorothy's knitted kangaroo.

And this week's "yarn bomb" (left to show the MP that the Nannas wuz there) was much more elegant than last week's roughly knitted tie.

Flower yarn bomb on door handle