Election over, Nannas were back to Nanna business last week! We stood with the Gomeroi against Santos Gas in the Pilliga, we pushed for another council to ban gas in new builds due to health concerns and we knitted and crocheted microbes (not core Nanna business, but fun and very creative).
Stand with Gomeroi – Tuesday, 6 May
The Gomeroi people appealed the decision by the National Native Title Tribunal (NNTT) to allow Santos to go ahead with gas production leases in the Pilliga Forest without their consent. The Federal Court determined the NNTT erred at law by declining to have regard to evidence on climate impacts. The Court rejected the Gomeroi’s other challenges to the Santos project on their traditional lands, but ordered that the case be sent back to the NNTT for a decision on climate grounds only.
The Gomeroi, Unions, Lock the Gate, Nannas, Rising Tide and politicians were at the Stand with Gomeroi rally. We gathered outside the Federal Court where there was a Welcome to Country and a smoking ceremony. Then the group of at least 200 people marched to parliament house to hear speeches.
Suellyn Tighe, a Gomeroi woman from Coonabarabran, spoke about how the late Professor Will Steffen provided comprehensive data on the climate impacts to the first NNTT hearing. His evidence was not considered, however. He was a highly respected scientist and global climate change expert who contributed to five Intergovernmental Pannel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports. So, his evidence should have been top notch.
For the latest hearing, the Gomeroi were asked to provide 120 pages from five experts. This was restrictive because it was important to include many graphs, which take up a lot of space.
The court’s decision has been delayed once, and was expected to come down on 9 May 2025 after a meeting in WA, but it has been delayed again until 19 May.
Nannas handed over the big Santos Gas get out of Pilliga Forest banner, painted by Nanna Cathy H, to Suellyn to take home to Country.
The Pilliga Project is a great 30min documentary about the Pilliga, the Santos project and coal seam gas mining processes.
Illawarra Council – Illawarra Nannas – Monday, 5 May
Nanna Eury joined the Illawarra Nannas outside the Council chambers when the Council were about to debate the issue of no gas connections in new builds due to the health risks. About 50 people were there, mostly health professionals spoke, and a local Nanna sang a rousing song.
Illawarra groups, including the Nannas, have been working on an environmental plan they want the Council to adopt. The Council says that no gas in new builds is a good idea, but they are waiting for the Minns government to make a statewide ban as has happened in Victoria. In the meantime, other NSW Councils have banned it. Illawarra and Sydney Nannas will continue to push both local councils and Premier Minns to implement the bans.
Exploring gut health through knitting – Thursday, 8 May
A walk-in installation, Gut Feelings, is being knitted, crocheted and crafted as a model of the human intestines. Four Nannas joined in learning about gut health while knitting and crocheting microbes for Science Week in August. For more sessions, see the website.
Election 2025
Now that Labor has been returned to government with a big majority, we must campaign for
- No new coal and gas – no extensions, as well as no new mines
- No subsidies, and higher taxes for coal and gas
- Continuing rollout of renewables
- Environmental laws that really protect the environment, as promised since before the 2022 election
- Democracy reforms
With such a big majority Labor have no more excuses.
Vale Tracy Sorenson
At our recent meeting at Customs House, Nanna Tracey acknowledged the recent passing of the founder and initiator of River Yarners, author and creative Tracy Sorenson from Bathurst.
Tracy crocheted all her organs when she was undergoing cancer treatment in 2014. In her second novel, The Vitals, her internal organs narrate the story.
Arts Out West have paid tribute to Tracy’s life here. There is also a link to a beautiful video of the River Yarners work for While the World Waits.
Forthcoming Events