GRAFTON NANNAS WANT ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE

The Grafton Loop of the Knitting Nannas have written to their Federal Member, Kevin Hogan, about the lack of Federal Government Action on climate change. The text of the letter is below:

Action on Climate Change

Members of the Grafton Loop of the Knitting Nannas Against Gas and Greed are very concerned about the Federal Government's lack of action on climate change.

It is quite obvious to us and to many other members of the community in our electorate and elsewhere that the pace of climate change is accelerating and that we are going to be subjected to an increasing range of impacts which will cause distress to individuals and communities as well as having major and long-term effects on the economy.

And what is the Federal Government's response to this building climate emergency?  NOTHING.  It has no climate policy.  This is more than astounding; it is appalling and grossly incompetent.  It shows a lack of concern for the national interest and for future generations of Australians.

We are well aware that you now sit on the cross bench - BUT you are a member of the National Party which is part of the Federal Government and you were recently endorsed by that party as their candidate for Page in the upcoming federal election.

The fact that you are sitting on the cross bench does not in any way absolve you from responsibility for the policy of your party or the government of which it is part.

So, Mr Hogan, what are you, as our local member, going to do to remedy this disgraceful situation?

We would very much appreciate a response to this question.

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Four of the Grafton Nannas at their knit-in on 13th December

 

 

 

Nanna Kerry at her first Grafton Knit-in.

 

NANNA KERRY TRAVELS TO GRAFTON AND INSPECTS JACARANDAS

Nanna Kerry, the superstar Nanna from Queensland, travelled from  Newcastle to Grafton after September's Nanna Conference. She was not at all keen about such a long car trip but eventually she agreed that it would be interesting to get away from all the coal dust in the air and spend time in the Northern Rivers .

Sarah & a Newcastle Nanna persuade Kerry to go to Grafton

Nanna Kerry was NOT a good traveller and was quite vocal about Sarah's and Leonie's driving. She needed a long period of convalescence when the Grafton Nannas finally arrived home and insisted on weeks and weeks of rest before she was ready to look at the sights of Grafton town.

Nanna K recuperating on a sunny Grafton veranda.

 

The Grafton Nannas were anxious to show her all the festivities at the Jacaranda festival but she declared she needed more rest before she left her new quarters.

Finally last Thursday, after seeing all the beautiful jacarandas in the yard behind,  she said she  was ready to check out the sights. 

So four Nannas took her to See Park where the Jacarandas were still in wonderful bloom.  Nanna Kerry was ecstatic and was very interested in the jacarandas and the foreign tourists taking selfies.  She kept urging the Nannas to take more photos of her which she said should be sent to all the other Nanna Loops to show what a great time she was having.

Nanna Kerry admiring the jacarandas in See Park

Relaxing amongst yellow flowers in the park

When the Nannas decided to go to "Toast" for coffee she was all in favour.  The highlight there was the opportunity to sit on the Jaca throne outside the coffee shop with the Jaca Queen's crown on her head.  After sitting there like royalty holding the sceptre,  Nanna K announced that she could see herself as Jacaranda Queen in 2019.   She stated VERY firmly that she plans  to enter the competition.

Looking regal on Toast's jacaranda throne

KNITTING NANNA CONFERENCE POSTERS

The Nannas saw (and in some cases produced) some great signs and posters at the conference.  These dealt with gas mining, coal mining, climate change and forestry laws.
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KNITTING NANNAS' NEWCASTLE CONFERENCE

Knitting Nannas from around NSW attended the fourth annual Nanna Conference in Newcastle from 7-9 September. The conference was hosted by the Hunter Loop, Central Coast Loop and the Mid Coast Loop.

Included in the program were updates on:

• Lock the Gate's Hunter region transitioning away from coal campaign, 
•  the NSW  Government's changes to forestry regulations which will lead to clearfelling and biodiversity loss in the state's north, 
• the Acland coal mine expansion in Queensland and the threat to Bimblebox further north,
• protest law and the Knitting Nannas in NSW and Lancashire in the UK

These speakers gave us a great deal to be concerned about.  There is, without doubt, a great deal more for the Nannas to do to ensure that, as our Nannifeesto states, we leave "this land better than we found it, for our children, grandchildren and future generations.  They deserve to have a future with a clean and healthy environment, natural beauty and biodiversity."

Nannas nattering in the dining area

The conference gave those attending the chance to network with Nannas from other loops as well as to workshop issues to assist them in their campaigns. In addition the Nannas were able to  admire the craft work of some very talented Nannas and to buy items such as jewellery and Christmas decorations which were available for sale.

On Sunday the Nannas left the conference venue  for an action at Bar Beach which gave a great opportunity for the display of their many banners and placards as well as the chance to talk with some of the  beach-goers and walkers who were in the area on that sunny, but windy, day.

One of the banners blowing in the wind above Bar Beach

 

 

 

 

Nannas with banners and signs above Bar Beach

After a picnic lunch the Nannas carpooled to one of the many coal loaders in the area for a photo opportunity. This gave the non-local Nannas the chance to get some idea of how much coal was awaiting shipping from the port.

Nannas near the coal loader

Some of the coal - and only a small amount in this photo - waiting to be shipped.

The host Loops gave us a wonderful conference. It was a well-organised event with interesting and informative speakers  in a very pleasant venue.  The meals, which were fully catered  for by the organising Nannas and some impressive Nanna chefs, were great. The raffle prizes, particularly the beautifully-decorated Nanna chair, were eagerly sought after. And Nanna Louise from Lismore again donated one of her beautiful Chooks Against Gas for a lucky door prize.

The wonderful Nanna chair and some of the other raffle prizes

Well done Nannas from the Hunter, Central Coast and Mid Coast.

MORE NSW GOVERNMENT ANTI-PROTESTER LAWS

The Grafton Loop of the Knitting Nannas expressed their concern on August 23 to their state MP, Chris Gulaptis, about the recent addition to the NSW Government's anti-protestor laws.  They presented him with a letter outlining their concerns. 

 

The text of the letter is printed below.

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In May 2016 the Grafton Loop of the Knitting Nannas Against Gas and Greed wrote to you about our concerns about the draconian laws your Government brought in. These increased penalties for those involved in protests.  At the time, it was obvious to us that the law changes were aimed at those in the community who were protesting about coal seam and unconventional gas.

The Nannas pointed out that these new laws were an infringement of civil rights.

We are now alarmed that, not satisfied with that curtailing of our basic freedoms, your Government now has in place amendments to the Crown Land Management Act which restrict even further the rights of community members in this state.

We understand that regulations which came into force on July 1 this year now give very broad powers to police and other public officials to disperse or ban public gatherings including protests, rallies and meetings.  These powers relate to all government owned (or crown land) which makes up almost half of NSW.

This is appalling and a gross over-reach by government which is obviously so terrified of public opinion and its ability to force change that it is seeking to limit the community’s opportunities to gather and publicise its concerns. 

These laws are unnecessary and undemocratic.

We point out that the Australian Constitution contains an implied freedom of political communication.  We understand that these laws are likely to contravene this right.

Do you support these laws which are moving us inexorably towards becoming a police state reminiscent of the situation in the former Soviet Union?

The Nannas look forward to your response.

Ann & Susanna with the letter