Last Week Sydney Nannas visited MPS offices, worked on their crafts and plotted with other Nanna loops (groups).
Visit to Chris Bowen’s office
Sydney Knitting Nannas visited the Fairfield electoral office of Chris Bowen, the Minister for Climate Change. We were there to draw attention to the Albanese government’s inaction on coal and gas mining and exports, which are doing enormous harm and are the key drivers of climate change.
We were pleased to be joined by Melville Fernandez, one of Chris Bowen’s constituents and a representative of Voices for Power. Melville works with Voices for Power to assist people in Sydney’s western suburbs to understand their options as energy consumers, and to reduce their energy costs as much as possible. Through this work, he is very aware of the distress caused by rising power bills and rising temperatures in the west of Sydney.
Our visit to Chris Bowen’s office was part of the broad campaign by the climate movement for real reform of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act, so that it protects the environment. What Nannas want:
- assessment of developments must consider climate impacts,
- developers must disclose the full emissions of their projects, including Scope 3,
- a strong, independent EPA must be created along with robust National Environmental Standards,
- matters of National Environmental Significance must be protected from climate harm,
- regional Forestry Agreements must be removed from exemptions.
Visit to Blue Mountains MP
Blue Mountain Nannas Anne, Catherine, Nola, Eartha and Michelle joined forces with Macquarie Alliance to encourage their federal Labor MP, Susan Templeman, to speak up and save Scott Reef. They also talked to members of their community and got signatures on the Save Scott Reef petition.
Nanna Catherine looked resplendent as Queen Neptune – protecting all living creatures of the sea.
Crafternoon
Nine Nannas at our recent crafternoon chatted around the afternoon tea table or relaxed back in the lounge room. They worked on current projects and helped one another out with their knitting or crochet sticking points. They talked about yarns, patterns and techniques, planned a new fracking banner and made some new squares for Julie Paterson’s Menindee Loop project.
Several conversations were going on at the same time, about craft, recent issues and life matters, providing opportunities for building skills, friendships and mutual support. They were so engaged they forgot to take photographs for this report.
Regional Nannas Zoom
Ten Knitting Nanna loops connected at the recent Nannas’ Regional Monthly zoom. As always, it was interesting to hear what other Nannas are doing and to look for ways to support each other’s actions. We’re looking forward to catching up in person at the Rising Tide People’s Blockade of Newcastle coal port in late November.
Nannas are watching
Professor Ben Saul and Chris Sidoti address the National Press Club of Australia on the topic “Palestine recognition: necessary but insufficient”. (ABC iVIEW)
Nannas are listening
Changing Australia: William Tilmouth and fighting for future generations (ABC Listen)
Nannas are reading
Shareholders are demanding ANZ and NAB face up to nature destruction (Australian Conservation Foundation)
Back to Obeid? Fast-track housing laws a stalking house for fast-track mines (MichaelWestMedia)
Economics rather than environmental concerns could sink Woodside’s proposed Browse gas project (ABC News)
Treasury forecasts Australia’s fossil fuel exports will fall from the A$220bn in 2023 to just A$30bn annually by 2040 – just 15 years from now. (Tim Buckley)
Intense rain, landslides and potholes everywhere: how climate change is trashing Australia’s roads (The Conversation)
Forthcoming Events