“Well behaved women seldom make history”, the bold black and yellow T-shirts of the Illawarra Knitting Nannas Against Greed (IKNAG) proclaim.

All due respect, but when the time comes to record the local fight for environmental justice, the Nannas will definitely be making the history books.

For more than 10 years, IKNAG (the K is silent) has been campaigning for a better world, using everything from peaceful knit-ins to beautifully crafted knitted signs and wit as sharp as needles to make a point.

“Our overall aim is to work to protect the environment for our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren – for future generations,” Nanna Cherry says.

“This encompasses a range of work – including protecting our air, water and biodiversity, respecting First Nations culture, taking action on climate change, and trying to stop deforestation.

“We are not seen as threatening,” adds Nanna Anne, “and perhaps not always taken all that seriously – but we should never be taken lightly.”

How the Nannas began

The Illawarra’s Knitting Nannas cast on well over a decade ago, when community concerns over the risks of coal seam gas mining triggered big protests in the region.

“I was asked, by Illawarra Stop Coal Seam Gas (CSG), to set up a blockade group to help protect the Greater Sydney drinking water catchments,” Nanna Cherry recalls.

“Having never been involved in a blockade before, I decided to go up to the Bentley blockade in the Northern Rivers region. There was a huge protest to stop CSG in that area. The first Nannas were there as activists, as well as doing many things to assist the people at the campsite who were working to stop CSG mining.

“A welfare tent was set up at the camp and I was so impressed by these women and what they were doing. The Northern Rivers Nannas were the first in Australia, and had a broad focus on environmental protection. I came back to the Illawarra and said, ‘We’ve got to start a Knitting Nannas group down here.’”

The campaign to Stop CSG in the Illawarra was a huge success. It resulted in the government  of the time buying back the petroleum exploration licences and protecting the drinking water of about 5.3 million people.

From gas to greed

Originally, the group was known as the Illawarra Knitting Nannas Against Gas, but after the success of the Stop CSG campaign, they changed the word ‘gas’ to ‘greed’.

One of IKNAG’s first actions involved just a few nannas at a knit-in outside the Electoral Office in Engadine when the Liberal Party’s Lee Evans was the Member for Heathcote.

“We started to put up some of our signs,” Nanna Cherry remembers. “We sat down with our knitting, waiting to speak to the politician about the importance of protecting our water.

“The office staff were not too pleased about it, so they rang the police. Following the arrival of three police cars and five police officers, we were advised that we should have applied for a permit.

“To add to the drama, the local media the following day had an article in the local paper with the headline ‘Raw Terror’. It was the best publicity we could have hoped for.”

“To make it even funnier,” Nanna Shirley adds, “the politician wasn’t even in their office that day!”

On to climate action and more

Since the Stop CSG victory, IKNAG has continued to lobby politicians, undertake actions, participate in rallies, write submissions and letters asking for action on the environment, and work with like-minded groups locally and nationally.

The Nannas are happy to provide support for Good for the Gong, Electrify Illawarra, the Tomorrow Movement, Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC), Yes to Renewables, Rising Tide, 350.org, Protect Our Water Alliance (POWA), Protect Our Water Catchment Inc, the Wilderness Society, Lock the Gate and other groups.

“Our main priorities are working to stop mining in the drinking water catchment; calling for action on climate change; promoting electrification in the Illawarra; and the need for a just transition for workers from the fossil fuel to the renewable energy industries,” Nanna Cherry says.

Nanna Anne says: “As older women, we can honestly say that we’re not working for us, we’re doing everything we can to help build a sustainable environment for future generations, clean air and water, biodiversity and a liveable climate.”

When it comes to polarising issues – such as Australia's emerging offshore wind industry – Nanna Cherry says: “We acknowledge community concerns and base our views on contemporary science.” 

‘You’ve got to have a laugh’

In their environmental actions, the Nannas use peaceful defiance and enjoy weaving in a bit of fun.

“We like to use humour,” Nanna Anne says.

“One of the signs at the IKNAG pre-election rally read: ‘Wearing socks with sandals is a sin, so is nuclear energy.’

“It makes a big difference, you’ve got to laugh, and it draws people in – makes it easier for them to stop and have a chat.”

When it comes to sharing their message, Nannas Cherry and Annie are renowned for creating beautiful knitted signs, while Nanna Margi – who is new to IKNAG – has a talent for saying it through song.

“I’m still learning about all the many threads and loops,” Nanna Margi says. “What I’ve brought to the nannas is that I can make music, I’m a poet and I love to write parodies. I discovered that the Sydney Nannas have a choir, and they do remarkable satirical takes on well-known songs.

“So for an electrification rally a few weeks ago, I came up with something based on I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor. ‘Electrify … I will survive’ – it sounds sort of similar. So I sang it outside the council chambers, and they loved it. It just lifted the morale and enthusiasm.”

How to help

You don’t have to know how to knit, or be a nanna, to join IKNAG. There is a role for everyone.

Nanna Shirley says: “We have a diverse group with many skills, and that’s one of the things that helps us work together so well.”

Men can join IKNAG as roadies, and talents other than knitting are welcomed, including all forms of communication, singing and playing instruments, research skills, being good at investigative work, and just loving speaking to people.

Nanna Cherry says: “We could do with more social media skills, people who know how to promote things on different platforms.”

Those who are short on time, or otherwise unable to attend actions or rallies, can help too. Nanna Anne organises Armchair Actions, so people can take part by signing petitions, making submissions and writing letters.

New Nannas and Roadies are always welcome.

Find out more

Follow IKNAG on Facebook. Contact Nanna Cherry on 0408 674 305 or via email, or email Nanna Anne K.

Read more in the Nannafesto.

IKNAG will hold a Social Gathering on Friday, July 25, from 2-5pm at Wollongong Library in the Theaterette, with two special guests: local Aboriginal Elder Aunty Shas and local activist Sharon Callaghan. RSVP via their Facebook Event Page.