A memorable ‘3rd Aussie Sausage Sizzle’ event for Curtin Sarawak

Miri – 28 January 2016 – Over 370 staff and students of Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) marked Australia Day on 26 January with their ‘3rd Aussie Sausage Sizzle’. It was the highest attendance ever for the annual Australian barbecue event.

The event featured generous servings of authentic Aussie sausages on a bun and condiments prepared by a team of staff volunteers, a variety of drinks, custom giveaways and a lucky draw.

Those who attended also got free snapshots taken at a special photo booth set up for the occasion, and the opportunity to purchase a wide variety of Australia-themed merchandise from the university’s bookshop.

Completing the Australian theme of the event were table decorations in the Australian national colours, buntings with Australian and Australia Day flags, and the screening of Australian entertainment shows on a big screen.

In his opening speech, Chief Operating Officer Kingsley Francis Charles said the event was an opportunity to celebrate 60 years of Australia-Malaysia relations this year, and Curtin Sarawak’s connection with Curtin University, one of Australia’s leading universities.

He also said that as the Sausage Sizzle is the university’s first major event each year, it was a great way to start off a new year at the campus.

The event was jointly organised by Curtin Sarawak’s Corporate Communications in collaboration with the Human Resources, Campus Services and General Administration departments.

Australia Day is celebrated annually on 26 January to commemorate the arrival of the First Fleet of 11 convict ships from Great Britain, and the raising of the Union Jack at Sydney Cove by its commander Captain Arthur Phillip, in 1788.

In contemporary Australia, the celebrations reflect the diverse society and landscape of the country and are marked by events for the community and family such as official community awards and citizenship ceremonies welcoming new immigrants into the country.

At Curtin Sarawak, it is celebrated by its staff who come from some 15 nations, including Australia, and this year included a number of Intensive English Programme (IEP) and Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students.

It is has been celebrated with an Aussie sausage sizzle giving the experience of a typical Australian barbecue and the taste of Australia’s beloved ‘sausage on a bun’ (hot sausage with sautéed onions and a squirt of ketchup on a hotdog bun) since 2014.

Staff members enjoying their Aussie ‘sausage on a bun’.

Everyone got a souvenir button badge.

Chief Operating Officer Kingsley F Charles addressing the staff and students.

Staff volunteers at the barbecue grill.

Photo booth a big hit with staff and students.