What is a sausage sizzle in Australia?
A sausage sizzle in Australia is a very basic barbecue run as a fundraiser for charities or community organisations. It is particularly associated with election day, when Australians eat ‘democracy sausages’ after voting.
A sausage sizzle is an Australian tradition that doesn’t make a great deal of sense to an outsider. After all, isn’t it just a barbecue? Well, not quite.
A sausage sizzle in Australia is somewhat distinct from a barbecue, although it might not look like that to the untrained eye. Especially if you come from a culture where barbecues aren’t a big thing.
Difference between a sausage sizzle and a barbecue
So, what is a sausage sizzle in Australia? Well, it tends to be a community fundraising event, and kept very simple. If you go to a sausage sizzle, don’t expect to get too much more than a sausage wrapped in a single slice of white bread. You’ll probably get some tomato ketchup to squirt on said sausage and bread. There may even be some fried onions if they’re pushing the boat out.
Some sausage sizzles are more elaborate than this, with perhaps the odd burger and vegetarian sausage. Or even, in a fit of decadence, proper hot dog sausage rolls.
These sausages will generally be overpriced, and everyone will know it. But, because it’s a fundraising event for a charity or community organisation, no-one will really mind. It’s a social occasion, a chance to show a bit of community spirit, and get a rudimentary, egalitarian feed.
What is a barbecue in Australia?
A barbecue in Australia, however, tends to be a private affair. It’s a family and friends thing, and several degrees more elaborate than a sausage sizzle. You’ll have several different types of sausages, burgers, steaks and chicken, with marinades, spices, vegan and vegetarian options. There will probably be several types of salad, too. The barbecue in Australia is pretty much a competitive sport.
Democracy sausages: Sausage sizzles on election day
In recent years, the sausage sizzle has come into its own on a somewhat surprising day. They have become a fixture on election day in Australia. People go into vote, then buy a ‘democracy sausage’ on the way out. The name is tongue in cheek, the money goes to community groups, and democracy sausages on election day has very quickly become an Australian tradition.
At the last general election, it’s estimated that around a third of polling stations had a sausage sizzle outside. That figure will probably be higher in the 2022 General Election.
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