“It’s 2.30am and I’m in a convoy of cars heading east from Margaret River to the Helms Forest. A long, dark train of headlights is an amazing sight. The driver of my car is 80 years old and a great grandmother.”
This was my opening column for November 2020 and my first experience with Nannas for Native Forests.
Many readers will have followed the Nannas’ journey since they stepped up as elders of the community leading a charge for the protection of our native forests.
Margaret River Nannas set the example with direct actions in forest coups, community rallies and bus tours into the South West forest. On November 20, 2020, thousands of people gathered outside State parliament to call on the government not to log any native forest. There were many Nannas singing original songs. Nannas Anthem. A tour and strong media coverage of the inspiring film gave the campaign a boost. The Cry of the Forest Produced by Jane Hammond
They gathered together in smaller groups across towns in the south-west. Denmark, Bunbury Perth Safety Bay Margaret River Bridgetown Rockingham Rockingham Together, they stitched leaf badges to raise awareness about our threatened forests. The tiny embroidered leaves were given away with a message: ‘We hope that stitch by stitch, leaf by leaf and conversation by conversation we can raise awareness and support the WA Forest Alliance in its efforts to enable our forests to continue to exist for our children and grandchildren.’
The result they hoped for came in September 2021 when the WA State Government announced that native forest logging in WA would end at the start of 2024.
Premier Mark McGowan said the State’s next forest management plan – covering the period 2024–2033 – would not include native forest clearing, and the government was spending $350 million to expand softwood timber plantations and $50 million to support affected workers and communities. The historic decision meant that WA would be the first Australian state to end native forest logging, ahead of Victoria’s promised phase-out in 2030.
While the Nannas celebrated they also recognised that this announcement wasn’t the end of the journey. The Nannas, with two years until the adoption date of the Forest Management Plan were focusing on public comments and bringing attention to threats such as road construction along the Gelorup Corridor and bauxite extraction.
Margaret River Heart has an exhibit of large leaves that have been crafted by Nannas in the state using felt, upcycled fabrics, and paper.
Margaret River Nannas are now moving in a different direction. With ‘Nanna-in-Chief’ Peta Goodwin standing down to pursue other environmental interests, leaf-stitching coordinator Pam Gunnell and her group came up with a new idea.
Statistics on waste in the fast-fashion industry alarm them.
Pam explains:
“Every year, Australians acquire on average 27kg of new clothing per person, chucking out a whopping 23kg. Maybe you send most of your throw-outs to op-shops, but in the end 90 per cent of the clothes, cushion covers, sheets, blankets, towels and other textiles we discard – about 800,000 tonnes per year – ends up in landfill. It is a global phenomenon. Australia is not the only country with such effective services. In many places discarded textiles pile up on beaches, on river banks and by the side of roads.’
The newly-badged ‘Nannas on the Mend’ are promoting slow fashion. In order to raise public awareness about this issue, the women have been hand sewing wearable patches from scraps. They also make coasters and mats for kitchens. To spread awareness, they hand out the patches with some information. Buy clothes that last. Recycle, repair, or repurpose clothing. This will help us all reduce the amount of waste, pollution, and unnecessary consumption.
The slow-fashion movement is good for our wallet and the environment.
Go Nannas!