Sydney Knitting Nannas protest outside a secret forestry conference, engage with people at the forefront of forestry activism, and plot our next actions on coal, climate and forestry.
Bob Brown Foundation (BBF) Unsustainable Native Forest Logging Protest
The Montreal Process Working Group for the conservation and sustainable management of temperate and boreal forests met in Sydney this week.
Australia is one of the 12 countries which have endorsed the Working Group’s framework for assessing progress towards sustainable forest management.
Despite difficulties finding out information about the conference Bob Brown Foundation campaigners called a rally outside the Hyatt on Thursday, 5 October, without being certain that the conference would be going on inside. Fortunately it was!
The secrecy extended to excluding journalists hoping to interview delegates. Michael West Media reported being denied access to delegates, including Australia’s representative.
BBF, Knitting Nannas, Drum Rebellion and other concerned activists gathered to remind those inside that Australia needs to end native forest logging quickly. They also called out NSW, where the forestry industry is failing on all seven Montreal Process criteria for sustainable logging.
The protesters struggled to launch their banners in wild winds, but won out eventually. Rachel from Sydney Climate Coalition and Nanna Cath gave talks explaining why it was important to speak up to end the destruction of Australia’s native forests and biodiversity.
Forestry report from NSW Mid Coast
Nanna Chris Degan from Coffs Harbour Knitting Nannas attended last Friday’s Zoom meeting and told us about the forestry devastation in the Mid North Coast in the proposed Great Koala National Park, and what locals are doing to stop it. Chris has written a report here.
Gumbaynggirr Elders are challenging forestry operations in Newry State Forest in the Land and Environment Court with a three-day hearing set to begin on November 14. High ground at Newry is a Men’s cultural site.
Volunteers for YES
Nannas are working with their local Yes23 groups on phone banking, leafleting and handing out Yes leaflets at pre-polling booths. Nannas volunteering in Sydney East, Northern Beaches and the Inner West report a high proportion of Yes voters, but there’s a surprising number of No voters.
Nannas are writing to
The Nannas letter writing group of 11 is getting more letters to pollies and the replies seem to be coming quicker than in the past. Someone starts us off and then everyone who has time, some knowledge on the topic, and/or likes to edit copy, has a go at improving each letter before it is sent.
Sydney Nannas don’t send out letters or post on the website without at least two Nannas checking it. We try not to disseminate misinformation.
Forthcoming Actions
Sunday 15 October – Yarn and Craft Group 1.30pm in Glebe
General crafting get together to share skills as well as coming up with new group projects and plotting about our special Nanna thank you/pay attention end of year gifts for this year. Nanna Elizabeth makes good biscuits, cakes and scones and you are welcome to bring some along too. For address in Glebe contact Nanna Kathy 0408 650 851.
Wed 18 October – Rally against extension of Eraring Coalfired power station
The NSW government’s development of renewable energy projects is proceeding, but the Environment Minister recently announced that they are negotiating with Origin to extend the life of the Eraring power station beyond 2025, when the company plans to close it.
Eraring is old, prone to breakdowns and incredibly polluting. Its emissions are equal to the total emissions of passenger vehicles in NSW.
The Nature Conservation Council, Sydney Climate Coalition, Knitting Nannas and other groups are organising a protest to the extension of the plant and tipping taxpayer funds into Origin’s already huge profits. Public money should be spent on hastening the implementation of renewable energy projects to ensure energy security.
Research by Nexa Advisory shows that keeping Eraring open would be a big step in the wrong direction.
Sydney Nannas will join the rally at NSW Parliament at 9am then march to Origin’s AGM at the Shangri-La hotel near Circular Quay. The time at Parliament House will be short. Most speeches are at Shangri La so if you are running late, go straight there. Facebook Event
Wednesday 18 October – Bob Brown Foundation vigil
Parliament House 12 noon Facebook Events
Saturday 21 October – Picnic for Nature
Picnic for Nature is a Nature Conservation Council initiative where groups organize picnics in their areas. This year Sydney Nannas are joining ParraCan, an environment group based in Parramatta, at Caber Park in Winston Hills from 10am. The park is 15 minutes north of Parramatta by car so pick-ups from the ferry, and Parramatta and Buena Vista stations will be arranged.
From the picnic Nannas plan to go to the Riverside Theatre to see The Visitors – starting at 2pm. This is Muruwari playwright Jane Harrison’s theatre show, directed by Wesley Enoch.
Friday 27 October – Face to face meeting
Customs House 10am – 1pm instead of Zoom meeting. Singing practice before Zombie march on Sunday followed by our weekly meeting. Updated Songbook here.
Sunday 29 October: XR Sydney Zombie Walk: no people on a dead planet
Meet at Sydney Town Hall at 10.45am – event starts at 11am. This pre-Halloween gathering of zombies and thriller dancers will be rowdy and creative. Come along for climate action and for the things that give you joy. There will be lots of zombies and an opportunity to learn thriller dancing.
From the Town Hall the zombie walk will go to Hyde Park for a Food not Bombs picnic, stopping at intersections along the way. Nannas will sing at the Hyde Park picnic.
Sydney Knitting Nannas will be at the following events:
Friday 17 November: School Strike for Climate, Sydney. Facebook Event and Register Here
Thursday 23 to Sunday 26 November: Takanya BioBlitz Waratah, Tasmania. Citizen science camping trip with Bob Brown Foundation.
Fri- Sun 24-26 November – Rising Tide blockade of Newcastle coal port.
Saturday 2 December – Rally and march calling for climate action by COP28. More information here
Nannas are listening to
‘As Australia sets new heat records, is a 1.5 degree target still achievable?’ ABC Life Matters
Stop Coal Seam Gas Rally at NSW parliament – Gomeroi, NSW Farmers, Unions NSW and Climate activists defend the Pilliga against Santos Gas 3CR Community Radio Podcast
Nannas are watching
Sea Change – From fashionista to farmer … how seaweed science drove Sam Elsom’s career change. ABC Australian Story
Ted Talk by Al Gore: July 2023 – What the fossil fuel industry doesn’t want you to know This is a particularly good podcast for new Nannas trying to understand why Aussie governments have not done enough to stop fossil fuels?
Far Enough – Vote YES – Briggs
Ending Native Forestry – The Australia Institute Webinar