A big week for Nannas with a rally for forests, attending the Rising Tide court case and lots of plotting and planning for future events.
National Action Rally for the Forests
There was a great turnout for the Bob Brown Foundation’s rally for the forests at Sydney Town Hall on Sunday 3 November. Nanna Bernie did a top job as MC, introducing very informative speakers. There were strong arguments for protecting our forests from North coast ecologist Mark Graham, researcher Dr Phil Zylistra, Emily from Rising Tide, Uncle Bruce Shillingsworth, Conservation Projects Officer Kate Carroll and Greens MLC, Cate Faehrmann.
Stopping native forest logging is about protecting precious carbon sinks as well as vital habitat for koalas, greater gliders and other threatened species.
At a rally in Mullumbimby former Magistrate David Heilpern called NSW Forestry Corp a “criminal organisation” and clearly listed their crimes. Facebook video here
Rising Tide Blockade
The NSW Supreme Court found in favour of the NSW Police Force in rejecting Rising Tide’s application for a Form 1 on both land and water. A Form 1 is not about permission, it’s about police authorising any public gathering. Rising Tide put in a Form 1 a long time ago, and police objected to it for safety reasons. When this happens it’s up to the Supreme Court to decide.
It is illegal to block waterways, roads, bridges, railway tracks but if you have a Form 1, you are indemnified from being prosecuted during the length of that Form 1. So if police think you are blocking any of the above, you will be asked to move on, and if you don’t, you can be arrested.
We can still go on the water but moving into the shipping channel, which is 150 metres from the beach, is illegal. This decision has the potential for more chaos. Nanna Media Release here.
Nannas from around the state are actively planning to join the Rising Tide Protestival to support a fun, family event focussed on stopping coal and protecting the climate.
Rising Tide organisers will meet with Newcastle Council this Thursday. It is hoped that Council will agree to the event using the areas around the beach for the stage, stalls, camping and toilets.
The alternate plan is that camping will be moved to Maitland Showground 40 minutes drive away from the beach – there is lots of camping space, facilities and halls for meetings. And we would still go to the beach for the blockade. Stand by for the update on this after the meeting.
Thursday 14 November – Nine Rising Tide activists will be in Newcastle Court. They were arrested on 24 September for blocking a coal train.
See all Rising Tide events
The full Rising Tide program has been released for November 19-28
Portrait of a Nanna
A portrait of Nanna Elizabeth by Vanessa Wright has been hung in the Portia Geach Award Exhibition and is on display at SH Ervin Gallery until 15 December. The knitted koala in the portrait is on Vanessa’s bike. For the people’s choice award please click here.
Youth climate delegation from Tuvalu and Kiribati
A youth forum was held at Lane Cove library on Tuesday 5 November. We heard heartbreaking stories about how at king tides, storm surges and inundation occurs across the islands and there is only brackish water to drink, which cannot be improved by boiling.
Miriam Moraitis from Kiribati said, “We can’t plant crops. We do not want to wake up every day worrying. We are fighting for our children. We didn’t cause the climate change but we are dealing with it. We need a global call to action – urgent action to protect our homes and cultures.”
Sea water is rising through the ground and destroying crops. The delegates spoke of fearing that their islands will be destroyed within their lifetime.
Appeal lodged against Tanya Plibersek’s decision on gold mine at Blayney
In August, the federal Environment Minister, Tanya Plibersek, made a protection order under Indigenous heritage legislation to protect the headwaters of the Belubula River from a proposal by Regis Resources to build a massive tailings dam for a gold mine. The company has appealed in Federal Court saying the decision is legally invalid. There will be actions when the hearing begins. (ABC News)
Lock the Gate’s Summer Holiday Postcards
Nannas signed postcards at their last in-person meeting and they will be gathering more in the coming weeks for delivery to LTG by 22 November. LTG will then send them to the Joint Standing Committee on Net Zero Future at NSW parliament in the first week of December. There is space on the for senders to send their own short messages.
11-22 November – COP 29
There will be lots of focus on the climate in the news during COP 29, the UN’s Climate Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Four Nannas joined a combined choir in singing ‘Tomorrow’s Sun’ in a performance with the Sydney Youth Orchestra. The video produced will be shown at COP 29. It was a very enjoyable experience for the Nannas and we look forward to seeing the video. Organised by For All Earthkind.
Thursday 14 November – ACF Protect Country and climate!
5.30 for 6.00 at Marrickville Town Hall, 303 Marrickville Road.
A community forum to demonstrate to the Albanese Government that our community says NO NEW COAL AND GAS! Speakers are coming from WA and the NT to tell us about the huge new projects they are working hard to stop.
Let ACF know if you’re coming and see the program: RSVP here.
Meet the Knitting Nannas at their stall before or after the event.
Friday 15 November – Lendlease AGM
9am protest 200 Pitt Street – Save Sydney Koalas
Lendlease is saying ‘no koalas have been killed in our section of Appin Road.’ That’s untrue – two have been killed and two badly injured. Lendlease can do a lot more to protect our koalas and the AGM is a chance to tell shareholders what is needed.
Saturday 16 November – Nature Conservation Council Conference
9am – 5pm – Greenhouse Climate Tech Hub, Level 3, 180 George Street
The theme is how to reach out to new audiences and include more people in the movement for nature.
There are conference presentations and workshops from 12 to 5. Further information and register for the event here
Nannas are watching
Polly Heming from the Australia Institute – “When it comes to climate, the government seems to want praise for doing some right things while doing more wrong things.” (The Australia Institute Twitter)
Speeches from Halloween Spooktacular at action at Whitehaven Coal AGM (Move Beyond Coal)
Inquiry into nuclear energy generation briefing by Don’t Nuke the Climate
The Antisocial Network – Memes to Mayhem
This film is narrated by the former kids who invented memes and viral posts … without originally fully understanding what they were doing, and then how it evolved into Anonymous, and QAnon, finally leading up to Trump’s attempt to overturn democracy…
Nannas are reading
Five independent MPs have released a joint statement calling on the major parties to release 2035 emissions reduction targets ahead of the next federal election. (Women’s Agenda)
Nannas are Listening to
The ‘secret’ proposal that could fast-track fracking in the NT
Forthcoming Events