Nannas gathered on Thursday 5 February for the funeral of our dear friend and fellow Knitting Nanna Heather Goodall.
Heather was with us for three years and we deeply appreciated her warmth, enthusiasm, curiosity and intellect combined with her commitment to justice and getting things done. It was heartening to learn more from speakers at the service about how this way of being enabled Heather to make real changes in many fields over her lifetime.
When Heather joined us she was straight into Nanna action – always happy to join a knit-in or protest, or to do research and write submissions and letters. We noticed that if Emeritus Professor Heather Goodall was involved in getting a letter done and signed off for us, we were more likely to get a reply. She also chaired many of our meetings with grace and care.
Nannas are deeply grateful for all Heather’s contributions to our work. In an unassuming way she shared her knowledge of the history of struggles of Aboriginal people, and the reasons for the poor state of our outback and coastal rivers and wetlands. And so much more was acknowledged when she received the Order of Australia in 2024.
This week we are thinking of Heather’s family in their grief, and hoping they find peace in their loss. We would also like to thank them for suggesting that friends make a donation to the Knitting Nannas in lieu of taking flowers to her funeral. Thank you to all the people who donated to us, we appreciate your generosity and assure you that the funds will be used in a way that honours Heather’s memory.