Nannas report on the Campbelltown Koala Rally and Rising Tide’s Sydney Splash, and explain what Nanna Teams do.
Sydney Nannas were in Campbelltown on Saturday morning for a rally and march to save the south western Sydney koalas and their habitat from housing and road developments.
Local activists spelt out that it’s not necessary to destroy the habitat of the koala colony to increase the housing supply. Many hectares of koala habitat are being cleared for housing because it’s cheaper to do that than to do what the NSW Chief Scientist’s recommends. Increasing the density of housing near Campbelltown was called for as an alternative to more sprawling grey rooves on cleared land, which damages water resources and erases the region’s heritage.
We caught up with members of Save Sydney Koalas who’ve fought to save the koalas for many years. And to our surprise we met some local Knitting Nannas who’ve been quietly working on local environmental campaigns, including saving the koalas. They’ll soon be decked out in Nanna t-shirts.
It was good to hear from Les Shearim, of Wild Things of Smith’s Creek fame. Nannas recommend the koala-spotting walks along Smith’s Creek that Les takes visitors on, usually at weekends.
On their return from Campbelltown to Sydney, the Nannas joined up with others who had set up a Nanna stall at the Rising Tide Sydney Splash in Surry Hills.
Rising Tide activists are near the end of a very busy bus tour of major cities in the eastern states where they’ve hosted gatherings to build a mass movement for change and to promote the People’s Blockade in Newcastle and the Canberra Wave in November.
Sydney Nannas will again join the blockade and work with other Nanna loops to build the size and success of what is expected to be by far the biggest blockade so far. Nannas will provide Nannacare and other support for the Protestival with stalls near the beach.
Last year a few Nannas from different loops were among the 109 people arrested. Whether to be part of the arrestable part of the blockade will again be up to individual Nannas.
The event attracted wide media attention locally and internationally, exposing the massive contribution of Australian coal exports to global warming. It is an impact that tragically our federal and some state governments are bent on increasing with coal expansions.
Nanna Bernie was the MC of the Sydney Splash and Nanna Jackie was among the many representatives of different groups to speak briefly about their actions and plans to support the blockade.
Speakers included DOBBY (First Nations hip-hop artist), Grant Howard (a coal miner), Polly Hemming (Director of the Australia Institute’s Climate & Energy program) and Craig Foster (human rights activist). First Nations poet from Brewarrina, Cliodhna Magire, read a moving poem and DOBBY performed to send us all off at the end.
Rising Tide kayakers set out early on Sunday morning from the Man O’War Steps by the Opera House to deliver a petition to the Prime Minister’s Sydney residence at Kirribilli House. The petition’s message was “If you aren’t going to do anything about climate change, we will.” The kayakers were welcomed at a support rally at the adjacent Lady Gowrie Lookout.
Registrations are open for the People’s Blockade in Newcastle and the Canberra Wave. A guide to the two events is here.
Move Beyond Coal’s Tanya Plibersek Call-A-Thon
Nanna Cathy joined the Move Beyond Coal campaign to keep the pressure on Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek by making sure her office receives calls about coal every half hour. Cathy spoke with one of her staffers for about 10 minutes and found it easy to do. Cathy encourages us all to give it a go.
Nanna Teams
Our membership is growing, and as Nannas joining our group have different skills and interests, we have formed teams. We leave it to each Nanna to work out what will work for them, so joining a team is totally optional. We do what we enjoy, when we can, either on the streets or from home.
We have teams for
- Creativity – craftivism – knitting and other crafts, and a new one for art – co-ordinating signs and banners, messaging and design.
- Topics we are interested in – climate change, coal and gas, koalas and logging, water and waste. You don’t have to know a lot about a topic to join a team – it’s a good way to learn as you go.
- Media – what works with messaging. Using teamwork to reach new audiences.
- Letter and submission writing. Someone does a first draft, others on the team offer possible additions and edits.
Water Team Report
Nanna Penny attended a Water for Rivers Zoom meeting on Monday 1 July on behalf of SKNAF’s Water Team and two issues came up.
1. Are Our Power Stations Poisoning Us?
A Citizens Inquiry into Health Impacts of Coal Fired Power Stations in the Central Coast regions will be held at Halekulani Bowling Club Budgewoi on 25 August from 1pm-5pm. Future Sooner will give Central Coast and Lake Macquarie residents an opportunity to tell their stories about the health issues they’re facing. More details here
There are very high rates of cancers and asthma in the Budgewoi region surrounding the location of Eraring and Vales Point Coal Fire Power Plants. Lake Munmora is badly polluted and there are unsealed ash dams at Doyalson.
In June 2022 a proposal to redevelop 45ha at Doyalson for housing, recreation and health services was approved by Central Coast Council. Concerns were raised about health impacts on the new residents as the site is between two large ash dams connected to Vales Point Power Station and the former Lake Munmorah Power Station. Coast Community News
2. Powerpoint presentation on how Australia’s water systems function
Water 4 Rivers plan to share this presentation with other organisations in a more digestible and easily shared format for posting on social media with a link to more in depth sources of information.
Craftivism Team Report
A crafternoon will be held on Saturday 13 July 1.30pm at Elizabeth’s house. If you haven’t met us before, this is a good introduction to our group. Contact us for details. You don’t need to knit or crochet to attend!
Sydney Knitting Nannas have been asked to provide a series of up to three knitting, crochet and craft afternoons on the Northern Beaches.
The Australian Museum is commissioning us to knit a climate scarf for their collection.
Elizabeth is knitting a koala face for another climate activist group.
Art Team
An Art Team will be formed due to popular demand. Prior to now, our signs have been mostly done by individuals. This will continue, but with many new members and our growing understanding of how to improve our messaging we will be coordinating our artwork for the best effect. Please contact us if you would like to join this group.
Letter Writing Team
It has been a busy couple of weeks for our writers and editors.
- A card was sent to Matt Kean congratulating him on his appointment as Chair of the Climate Change Authority.
- A letter was sent to Chris Bowen thanking him for meeting with the Nannas in Canberra and included follow up questions
- Submissions were lodged for
– Post-mining Land Use Inquiry
– EPA’s Draft Climate Change Assessment Requirements and a Guide for Large Emitters.
Support For Coal Reliant Communities – Due before Friday 12 July
The NSW Government is seeing community feedback on an Issues Paper discussing a way forward to manage the transition away from coal: Future Jobs and Investment Authorities.
The aim is to assist coal communities to attract new industries and investment. However, a case is also included in the Issues Paper to allow for coal expansion. Two submission guides are available from Mudgee District Environment Group and Hunter Renewal.
A submission by Knitting Nannas will be sent in but individual Nannas can give their own feedback too.
Nannas are reading
Protest in Peril Report launch – Human Rights Law Centre
What’s happening with the climate crisis and heat-trapping emissions in Australia. The Guardian
The Daily Aus offers young Australians a digestible and engaging way to access the news. Recommended by our grandchildren.
Nannas are watching
The Story of Two Forests –Shea’s Nob 50kms from Dorigo and Gladstone State Forest 10km from Bellingen.
Nannas are listening to
Hope at the coalface – can this coal town thrive in a post-carbon future? Big Ideas ABC Listen
Forthcoming Events