GRAFTON NANNAS START KNITTING AGAIN

After a long COVID-induced break the Grafton Loop of the Knitting Nannas Against Gas & Greed have started campaigning again.  On Thursday March 4 a group of refreshed Nannas set up outside the Prince Street office of our federal MP Kevin Hogan. It was great to catch up with Nannas Sarah and Deb as well as to welcome a new Nanna recruit. As usual it was  a lively social occasion with plenty of interesting conversation and laughs.

The theme for this knit-in was climate change. The Nannas are dismayed that the Federal Government, despite all the scientific evidence, is still failing to take effective action to reduce our carbon emissions. 

This was the first time the Grafton Nannas have held a morning knit-in and it was a great success.   Prince Street was very busy and the Nannas enjoyed chatting to many passers-by  and were pleased at the positive feedback received from many of them. The Nannas were also delighted that one of the passers-by was Emma Pritchard, the Grafton-based journalist of "The Independent" who asked about our activities and took a photo of the group.

 A serious Nanna discussion

The Nannas also discussed their latest letter to Mr Hogan which highlighted their concern about the Federal Government's lacklustre performance on climate change.  One of the key points made in this letter was the  concern for today's young people who will inherit a world which is set to be irretrievably damaged by the selfishness and folly of the current Federal Government.

This was emailed to Mr Hogan later that day.  The Nannas will be very interested in his reply - if indeed we do receive a response from him.

 

ARE PROPERTY DEVELOPERS MORE IMPORTANT THAN PREVENTING THE EXTINCTION OF KOALAS ?

This was the question that the Grafton Loop of the Knitting Nannas Against Gas and Greed had for their State MP, Chris Gulaptis, Member for Clarence. 

Grafton Nannas and several supporters (and one very active Jack Russell pup) met outside Mr Gulaptis' electorate office in Prince Street, Grafton, on Thursday 17th September.  This gathering, the first for many months, occurred because the Nannas were appalled at the shenanagins of the NSW Nationals over the relatively new Koala State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP).  

 

Grafton Nannas outside the office of C Gulaptis MP

This knit-in was a completely new Nanna experience  as we were meeting according to COVID restrictions - limited numbers, social distancing and, for those who were able to wear masks, with face masks. All of this made communicating with each other rather challenging - particularly for those of us who are becoming hard of hearing.  And our increased volume  meant we were noisier than usual.

We presented  the office with a letter to Mr Gulaptis which explained our concerns about his position and that of his party.  The text of the letter is below:

 

State Environmental Planning Policy (Koala Habitat Protection) 2019 

Over the many years that we Nannas have been around, we have witnessed some weird performances from politicians but the NSW Nationals’ “drama” of last week really “takes the cake”.  The members of the Grafton Loop of the Knitting Nannas Against Gas and Greed are appalled at what you and your colleagues have done and are continuing to do.  

We are amazed to hear that you “love Koalas like every other Australian”. You’ve certainly got a very strange way of showing this recently-revealed affection. 

The Nannas are well aware that since 2012, when the Nationals came into government, they have been pressuring their coalition partners to weaken biodiversity protection.  This has resulted in significant weakening of both native vegetation legislation and State Forest logging regulations.  These changes have had serious impacts on biodiversity - including on koalas.

Koalas have suffered from a range of impacts in recent years including climate induced drought and bushfires as well as dog attack, car strike and disease.  But the major cause of their decline is habitat loss.  Your party, Mr Gulaptis, has had a big role in recent years in ensuring that habitat loss is accelerating.

So now we have you and your colleagues paying lip-service to the need to protect koalas while you are undermining a recent change to koala policy. 

And why are you doing this? It seems that all the hoo-ha is about property developers who are worried they might have difficulty is pursuing their plans for rural subdivisions or residential development on urban outskirts because they will need to put in development applications to councils.  This will then trigger the SEPP. 

Surprisingly the Nannas do not consider the desires of property developers to make what they would no doubt call “an honest quid”  should outweigh the protection of koalas which are on track to extinction in NSW by 2050 unless really effective measures are put in place to protect them and their habitat.

Are property developers more important than preventing the extinction of koalas?

 

 

 

 

 

 

NANNA KERRY'S DOWNRIVER TRIP

As a former Queensland Nanna, Nanna Kerry enjoys travel in NSW and is contantly clamouring to be out and touring to new places.  So, several weeks ago two of the Nannas from the Grafton Loop decided it was time she was given a chance to check out some areas downriver of Grafton.

Nanna K enjoying the breeze and scenery on the riverbank at Ulmarra

The first stop was Ulmarra where Nannas Dianne and Leonie had coffee at the hotel  while Nanna Kerry inspected the river bank and was introduced to some of the resident water dragons.  She found these creatures very alarming and was relieved that none of them came too close.

Too weird and intimidating for Nanna Kerry!

Before leaving Ulmarra they visited two other local shops.  The first was the second hand bookshop. There Nanna Kerry was astounded at the thousands of books on display and the range of subjects.

The second was an artist's shop where she was delighted to meet a very interesting fellow who was dressed for the Jacaranda Festival.  She found Jacaranda Jack quite charming and hopes to catch up with him again soon.

The Nannas then headed for Yamba where Nanna K checked out one of the beaches.  She wanted to sunbake on the rocks but soon found it to to be very uncomfortable as well as very hot.  Nanna Dianne then had to help her back to the car and turn on the air-conditioning to revive her.

It had been a long day for Nanna Kerry and, as she was not used to such exertions, the Grafton Nannas realised it was time to take her home.  But, along the way they called in at Maclean where she enjoyed surveying the river and waving to a yachtie moored nearby.

Nanna Kerry found the day very tiring but so did Nannas Dianne and Leonie.  Moving Nanna K around is sometimes challenging - particularly up and down stairs and on uneven ground.

But travelling with Nanna K will be much easier in future now that she has wheels.

NANNAS PARTICIPATE IN THE "ONE SPIRIT, ONE VOICE" EXHIBITION

Wadjar Regional Indigenous Gallery

Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre

The Grafton Knitting Nannas Against Gas and Greed were invited to contribute to the "One Spirit, One Voice" Exhibition.  The exhibition featured the work of eight talented indigenous artists and illustrations of the work of the Knitting Nannas in their campaigning to protect the environment from unsustainable and damaging development.

As Alison Williams, the Gallery's Creative Director,  states in the exhibition catalogue: "One Spirit, One Voice evokes a sense of connection and of belonging.  It speaks to caring for country and the common growing perception of what that entails."

Before the exhibition opened three of the Grafton Nannas and one Poppa installed a spectacular yarn bomb near the gallery entrance.  It was made possible by a great deal of knitting and some crocheting by Grafton Nannas with contributions from the Lismore Nannas. And the installing Nannas - and the Poppa - were all tuckered out by the time they were finished with the winding and attaching and so on!

Some of the knitting used in the yarn bomb installation.  Photo: L Blain

Close up of three sections of installation.  Photo: L Eggins

The official opening of the exhibition took place on March 30.  It followed presentations on the history of Yarrawarra, some wonderful aboriginal dance and a magnificent buffet lunch which included bush tucker. 

The Nannas' contributions to the exhibition  included material from the Grafton Loop as well as from the Lismore Nannas and others who have been involved in Nanna campaigning. One of the Nannas' prize exhibits was Nanna Erica's Nanna Kerry, that well-travelled and dynamic campaigner from southern Queensland.

Nanna K showing her knitting skills and enjoying the limelight.  Photo: L Blain

Some exhibits highlight what talented craftpeople some Nannas are. The photo above shows various crocheted garments made by Nanna Dorothy as well as her knitted echidnas and platypus and a dangerous-looking multi-coloured snake knitted by Nanna Dot.

And others showed how innovative the Nannas have been in their campaigning.  Nanna Lynette's big knitting needles which have been on tour to various Nanna conferences have always attracted a great deal of interest.

Large knitting needles & big yarn with crocheted triangle.  Photo: L Eggins

And then there were the knitted chains which came into being as a response to the State Government's draconian anti-protester legislation several years ago.  These were used at knit-ins to highlight the Nannas concerns about the authoritarian moves to limit the community's right to protest.  The Nannas remain concerned that these laws still remain on the statute books - indeed they were later strengthened.

Other exhibits included photos of a Grafton knit-in, highlights from three of the Nanna conferences and a copy of the Nannifesto.

The exhibition is open until May 27.

Entrance to the Wadjar Gallery with yarn bombing in place.  Photo: L Blain

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.

* * * * *

 

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

NANNAS BACK TO REGULAR NEEDLE FLASHING

The Grafton Nannas are back to regular knit-ins.  This week we returned to knit outside the lair of our federal MP, Kevin Hogan,  after last week's knit-in outside the state MP's office.  When we resumed knitting after our long nanna break, we decided we should share our presence equally with these pollies. No favouritism from us! After all, we have to remember that part of the Nannas' credo is to annoy all politicians equally.

This is the second knit-in where we've displayed Lynette's new banner for our loop.  What a talented person she is!

 

 

 

Ann's bicycle was the ideal place to hang the the new banner

The group found it very intriguing to see just how much Donna could fit into a medium-sized Nanna bag.  She's obviously prepared for every knitting eventuality.

What the well-equipped Nanna takes to a knit-in

NANNAS CONCERN ABOUT LOCAL DAIRY INDUSTRY

Norco milk bottles on display at the knit-in

At its knit-in on 17th May outside the office of Member for Clarence, Chris Gulaptis, Nannas from the Grafton Loop expressed their concern about the decision of the State Government to award a milk supply contract for fifteen local health facilities to foreign-owned Queensland Dairy Farmers instead of the Norco.

Nanna Susanna with our new blackboard & banner

The Nannas were incensed because Norco is a local company processing milk from dairies on the North Coast. This local industry, both in production and processing, provides jobs for North Coast locals and makes a significant contribution to the local economy.

Just after the Nannas had strung up their empty Norco  milkbottles and had settled into their chairs, "The Daily Examiner's" reporter Jarrod arrived and gave us the good news that the Government had reversed its decision.  Norco once again would be the provider!!!

Obviously, the government had been receiving a great deal of flak from industry and locals and realized it had been a very silly decision.  Isn't it wonderful when the community (in other words  PEOPLE POWER) can force change.

We Nannas believe there should be much, much more of this!!!