Bringing together over 1000 woman at an event in Sydney was a great achievement for Natalie Isaacs and the team from 1 Million Women. Nannas have another busy Saturday coming up.
Saturday 29 June – 1 Million Women Festival of Solutions
Over 1000 people, mostly women, were at Carriageworks on Saturday to celebrate the 15th birthday of 1 Million Women. Nanna Bernie did a fabulous job as MC and gave a shout out to her “ratbag friends” in the Nannas.
Nannas with some favourite people – Natalie Isaacs founder of 1 Million Women, Costa from Gardening Australia, Blair Palese from Climate and Capital Media, and musician John Butler.
The main event of speakers and entertainers emphasised that the majority of Australians believe we are in a climate crisis. It’s a tough journey for the community to create change so we need to work together, be hopeful, stay positive, and not give up.
The antidote to despair is to get active. There were many stalls to help households reduce emissions by electrifying homes, as well as by making sure our money isn’t funding the climate crisis. Nannas highlighted the importance of keeping the pressure on politicians to speed up the transition from coal and gas and to stop destroying koala habitat.
Nanna Elizabeth’s led the creation of our eye-catching stall. We are lucky to have the skills she brings as a knitter and crocheter, and her ability to “make do” as a farmer and around the world sailor.
Twelve Nannas in various black and yellow outfits were photographed many times. But it was Nannas Liz and Janet, our statuesque wind turbines walking around the huge space who were the show stoppers.
We had some great chats with people and picked up good ideas from the presentations at the stalls as well as from the performers on the stage. We were pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to such an inspiring celebration of climate solutions.
Our next Crafternoon is coming up on Saturday 13 July 1.30pm in Glebe and we hope some of the people we met at the festival will come along. Crafternoons are a good introduction to our loop of Nannas – there’s catching up, discussing ideas, eating, creating and sharing skills. It will be held in a Nanna’s home so contact us for details of location. You don’t need to knit or crochet to attend!
Saturday 6 July – Busy Day for Nannas
Nannas will meet at 10.30am at Koshigaya Park, an 18 minute walk from Campbelltown railway station. The focus will be on wildlife overpasses and development permission for Stage 2 of Mt Gilead. Organised by the Macarthur Greens and co-hosted by Save Sydney Koalas.
Saturday 6-7 July – Rising Tide Sydney Splash
3pm Teachers Federation Conference Centre, 37 Reservoir Street Surry Hills.
This Climate Assembly will be an opportunity to find out more about the Rising Tide People’s Blockade in November and to meet people from local climate and community groups.
The theme of the event is building a mass movement for change. Nanna Bernie will be the MC and speakers include Craig Foster, Polly Hemming, Grant Howard and Jane Caro. There will be a performance by hip hop artist DOBBY.
There’s a party on after the event at the nearby Gaelic Club.
On Sunday 7 July you can join kayakers from 7.30am at the Man o’ War Steps by the Opera House. Or welcome the kayakers at a support rally at the adjacent Lady Gowrie Lookout, Kirribilli, by 8:30am to bring a very clear message to Albanese’s doorstep: if you don’t take on the fossil fuel industry – we will. Rising Tide Events
Knitted coal and gas report card
Nanna Anne handed over the knitted oil and gas report card to Janet to record each day that the government does nothing to stop emissions, and when it does something positive.
AUKAS and Peace Meeting
Nannas Jenny and Gill outside the Addison Road Community Centre in Marrickville after attending a meeting of the Mobilise Against AUKUS and War group, which Sydney Knitting Nannas and Friends have endorsed.
Takayna – Tarkine
Last week the Knitting Nannas and Bob Brown Foundation reminded the Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek: logging native forests makes no economical or environmental sense and puts us behind on our climate and biodiversity goals. Tasmania’s ancient forests are unique and precious and we’d like to keep them alive, together with all their natural wonders.
Hitchhiking Nannas
Nanna Anne has gone travelling, meeting up with friends along the way. Two Nannas Eartha Knit and Nola Knitting have hitched a ride.
The two hitchhikers have visited solar farms and a gold and silver mine near Cobar. They enjoyed their time at the Darling River and met up with Bailey Myers between Broken Hill and Peterborough. He set off from Perth in March and is walking to Newcastle to raise funds for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. Anne asked if she could have a photo with the knitted Nannas and he was delighted “they are always protesting at Parliament – they are great!” he said.
Nannas are Watching
Mid-coast Knitting Nannas Dominique Jacobs and Helen Kvelde are two extraordinary women taking a stand for nature and for future generations.
When the NSW Government rushed through tough new anti-protest laws in 2022, they knew they had to act. Represented by EDO, Dom and Helen lodged a successful constitutional challenge to the laws, which saw the harshest elements of the legislation struck out. Environmental Defenders Office YouTube
Screenings around Australia of The Koala film are listed here
Forthcoming Events