A swarm of Knitting Nannas from around NSW descended on Canberra for two days of actions last week. It didn’t take long for word to get around and on Wednesday, the first day, tea ladies from parliament house walked off the job and rushed to join the Knitting Nannas. They told us they’d had a gutful of the inaction in the parliament on climate change.
The new Nannas were given berets and a knitted flower.
Alinga Street, near the Tram Station, was awash with yellow and black. Nannas sang and talked to passing pedestrians, inviting them to join us on the lawn at Parliament House the following day.
Meanwhile three Nannas visited Climate Change and Energy Minister, Chris Bowen, inside parliament house. A report on the meeting will be available soon.
The Nannas then headed to old parliament house, where the Courtyard Café staff were taken by surprise when 36 hungry Nannas ordered lunch.
Also at the old parliament house is the Museum of Australian Democracy, where we’d heard there was a display with a Knitting Nanna beret that had been presented to former Greens leader Christine Milne and she donated it to the Museum. We were disappointed to hear that the beret was no longer on display but had been taken into care for preservation. We’d rather it was still out in public making a point about defending democracy.
Some of the Nannas went to the art gallery to see the portrait of Gina Rinehart by Vincent Namatjira. The gallery staff told us that thanks to Gina objecting to this painting, it had attracted a lot of publicity and people were coming to the gallery to see it. The staff were particularly pleased that many visitors stayed to see other works as well.
Those Nannas needing quiet time and an opportunity to stretch their legs had a walk in the botanical gardens, which maintains a collection of native plants from all parts and climates in Australia.
A bunch of ten Nannas went on a Badass Women of Canberra Walking Tour arranged just for us. The tour is filled with stories of women who have shaped history while in Canberra – First Nations leaders, the politicians who broke down barriers to women being in parliament, a spy, the first woman ever to cast a vote in Australia … and lots more. It’s an easy and fun walk and a way to learn some of our hidden history. Thanks to our guide Eleri.
Thursday – Nannas’ Kitchen Table Cabinet at Parliament House
Nannas gathered early on the lawn outside Parliament House. By the time most of us arrived local members of Move Beyond Coal had put up tents and provided chairs and tables for our event. Nannas added banners, tablecloths, cakes and biscuits, teacups and boxes of tea, and lots of yellow and black knitting.
Politicians were invited to speak to us standing in front of a fabulous new backdrop made by the Lismore Nannas. Zali Steggall, Independent Member for Warringah was the first to arrive and speak. Other speakers were Independent ACT Senator David Pocock, Kylea Tink Independent member for North Sydney, Polly Hemming from The Australia Institute, a couple of volunteers from the office of Indi Independent MP, Helen Haynes. Near the end of the event a representative from Senator David Shoebridge’s office came to greet us too.
Author, inventor, and renewable electricity advocate Saul Griffith happened to walk past and although time poor, managed to talk, tear up and accept from Nanna Cherry a knitted sign saying ‘Rewire Australia – Electrify Everything’.
Speakers were given a knitted yellow, black and red heart flower, a tea towel and tea, packaged by Nanna Rosie for the occasion.
Nannas gave one of the flowers to a burly Federal Policeman with a machine gun and bullet proof vest standing outside Parliament House. He kept it in his pocket. His fellow officers teased him a bit, but they probably all wanted one.
Some Nannas decided to grit their teeth and go into parliament for Question Time, replacing their Nanna outfits for civvies. Everything we brought with us went into the cloak room. Nannas were chuffed to see Zali and Kylea wearing their Nanna flowers. Our low expectations of Question Time were met as opposition MPs interjected and raised points of order that were ruled out by the Speaker. One Nanna dozed off and was told by an official that sleeping was not allowed, so stay awake if you’re staying.
Media coverage
Local WIN TV ran positive stories about the Tea Ladies and the Kitchen Table Cabinet. The ABC filmed us in action on the parliament lawns but only broadcast a snippet of the singing on the local news without an explanation on what we were on about. A puzzle.
A Nannalutionary Event
Nannas are very happy with what was achieved in the two days. It was enormous fun with great purpose, and we learned a lot – some of it we’re still unpacking. We were so lucky to have two glorious sunny days. It was only when we were packing up that the dark clouds and an icy wind came up.
Thanks
Thanks to the Lismore Nannas for initiating the visit and inviting all the loops to join. Nanna Rosie’s Tea Lady creations were a highlight and worked fantastically well on both days.
Our thanks also to Annie Close and the Move Beyond Coal crew from Canberra for their generous advice and support throughout the preparations and events.
Sydney Nanna Bernie was top notch as MC of the Kitchen Cabinet, her warm and witty comments bringing out the best in our guests. The media team did an amazing job – thanks to Cat Sparks, Dan Adams, John Smith, Tom Morton and Nanna Eury.
Nannas love a bit of street theatre and the Tea Ladies were particularly riotous. The team of Nannas Rosie, Bernie, Gemma, Anne and Eury had us in stitches and at the same time got across some serious messages.
What great events, lots of laughter and seeing many of our favourite people in Canberra! We’ll be debriefing with all the loops this week about where to go from here.