Parliament House security may not allow knitting needles inside but yesterday they allowed Knitting Nannas – an elderly environmental protest group – to meet with Federal Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen. They even gave him a hand-knitted climate change scarf.

These mild, middleclass and conservative nannas (grandkids are not a pre-requisite, nor is knitting) are also stubborn, refusing to stand by and watch “acts of stupidity and greed, [and want] to save the land and the water for the kiddies”.

Knitting Nanna Judi Summers, who’s travelled 12 hours from Lismore to knit and “knag”, has joined 43 fellow Nannas on the lawns of Parliament House today to sit, knit, plot, have a yarn and a cuppa and annoy all politicians equally.

“I have five grandkids and they’re really proud because they’re learning all about climate change at school and they know why we’re doing what we’re doing,” Judi said. “They’re really proud that they’ve got a nanna who’s a Knitting Nanna.”

As it happens, Judi does knit and is currently working on some cushion covers. She is also working on Federal Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen.

“He actually listened, he was very courteous and he gave us an extra 15 minutes on the original meeting so we were pretty chuffed,” Judi said. “He heard all our questions and gave us responses, some were automatic responses, which is what government does. They recognised that we know what we’re talking about.”

What Knitting Nannas are talking about is climate change and an end to fossil fuels. Their “nannafesto” states: We peacefully and productively protest against the destruction of our land, air, and water by corporations and/or individuals who seek profit and personal gain from the short-sighted and greedy plunder of our natural resources.  We support energy generation from renewable sources, and sustainable use of our other natural resources.  

Yesterday the Knitting Nannas were at Civic’s light rail stop, speaking with the public and handing out fliers. They’re benign appearance is a refreshing change from the usual young, boisterous activists. These knitting nannas are helping the planet by stealth.

“We’re a bit quirky,” Judi said. “The public were very warm and welcoming.”

Other Nannas have travelled from Albury, south coast, Illawarra and Ulladulla. Judi and six other Nannas are from Lismore, where Knitting Nannas first began in 2012.

The story of the Knitting Nannas Against Gas and Greed (KNAG) began when a handful of older women joined an anti-coal seam gas group in Lismore. They took action when the Northern Rivers was being targeted for CSG mining by Metgasco,

Rather than making teas and taking minutes (which they were asked to do), they devised their alternative activism as a form of ‘guerrilla surveillance’.

Knitting Nannas will be on the lawns of Parliament House today from 10am to 2pm.

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