GRAFTON NANNAS BACK INTO REGULAR KNITTING - THE LATEST TWO JAUNTS

The Grafton Nannas are well and truly back into their regular weekly flashing of the pointed sticks.  They now knit on a Thursday afternoon.

At each knit-in now they brandish their knitted chains - a symbol of outrage at Premier Baird's draconian protester laws.  (Interestingly, while these chains may not be much use for chaining Nannas together  - other than symbolically - they are quite useful as scarves.)

Last week the Nannas had a change of venue - moving up Prince Street to station themselves outside the Grafton office of federal MP Kevin Hogan, Member for Page.  The Nannas really enjoyed knitting in this pleasant spot and chatting to the passers-by.  It's not the proximity to the federal MP that makes this spot so appealing to these doughty women.  It's the space, the tropical palms, the seating -  and the proximity to the pedestrian crossing.

A pleasant spacious area for a knit-in

Nannas pose outside Mr Hogan's office

This week the Nannas returned to their old haunt outside the office of our state MP, Chris Gulaptis, Member for Clarence.

This week we were delighted to welcome back three Nannas who had not been at knit-ins for some time.  So we had lots of catching up to do.  We nattered non-stop and discussed all sorts of nannerly subjects including patterns and yarns, the best way to make chains, and the oh-so exciting federal election campaign.

This Nanna loves the old-style crochet patterns

 

 

 

This Nanna is knitting a square for "wrap with love"

This Nanna is knitting for her grandson

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

NANNAS CAST ONTO THE BLOG AGAIN

Where have we been lately?

The Grafton Nannas have been indulging in too many nanna naps to post anything on the blog for ages.  But they haven't been ignoring matters gaseous.  The Nannas have continued with knit-ins at their usual venue outside the office of local member, Chris Gulaptis, MP.  And they have enjoyed nanna natters over several relaxed morning teas and an end of year nanna lunch.

But it's time we returned to serious matters!


Nannas Concerned about Salty Water Produced During Gas Mining

The Grafton Loop of the Knitting Nannas Against Gas have written to their local State Member of Parliament, Chris Gulaptis, about the environmental threat posed by the water produced during the gas mining process.

Nanna Lynette delivers the letter to Chris Gulaptis' office.

The Nannas understand that this water is usually very saline and that it is produced in large quantities.  Obviously the miners need to take great care in dealing with this liquid so that there is not a repeat of the 10,000 litre spillage that occurred some years ago in the Pilliga (in central NSW).

The Nannas asked Mr Gulaptis what precautions the State Government was taking to ensure that the produced water was safely stored and disposed of safely.

They believe that there is a need for regulation and also an effective monitoring/compliance framework so that mining companies do not shirk their responsibilities to the NSW community.

They also cautioned the Government about any proposal to let the industry self-regulate on this matter saying such a move "would be extremely risky and would not be in the interests of the community".

The Government's regulation of the gas mining industry leaves a great deal to be desired.  Government action has only happened following considerable public pressure and even then measures have usually been tokenistic (as in the case of the 2 km exclusion zone).  The Nannas expect rhat there will be a similar reluctance to act effectively on this matter.


Where were our Local Federal MPs when the Franklins came to Canberra?

Glenugie farmers Donna and Mick Franklin rode horses from Grafton to Canberra to protest against Metgasco's coal seam gas mining in their area.  They arrived in Canberra on  December 3 after an epic 74 day journey along the Bicentennial Trial.  The Franklins and others in their party were joined by other Clarence Valley people (including Knitting Nanna Sarah) outside Parliament House.

They must have been disappointed that the federal local members, Luke Hartsuyker (Cowper) and the newly elected Kevin Hogan (Page) did not bother to meet them on their arrival. The Glenugie area is in Hartsuyker's electorate but people from Page were also involved in the ride - and in the Glenugie protest and blockade which encouraged the Franklins to embark on their protest ride.

It was not really surprising that Hartsuyker was not present as he has never shown any concern about CSG or the Metgasco activities at Glenugie.  However, Hogan campaigned strongly against CSG in the recent federal election. So the Nannas are left wondering if Mr Hogan, influenced by his National and Liberal Party colleagues, is now re-thinking his anti-CSG stance.

The Daily Examiner's report of the Franklins' arrival in Canberra.

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