Curtin Sarawak to celebrate Australia Day with ‘3rd Aussie Sausage Sizzle’

Miri – 19 January 2016 – To mark Australia Day and celebrate being part of Curtin University, Western Australia’s largest and most multicultural university, Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) will be holding its ‘3rd Aussie Sausage Sizzle’ involving about 300 of its staff this 26 January.

Students currently undergoing Curtin Sarawak’s Intensive English Programme (IEP) are also invited to the annual barbecue at the foyer of the university’s Harry Perkins Lecture Theatre.

“We are very excited to hold our Aussie Sausage Sizzle for the third consecutive year as it always gets a good turnout of staff. It’s a great way to start off a new year at our campus, besides celebrating our connection with Australia and Curtin University, one of Australia’s leading universities,” said Dean of Research & Development Professor Clem Kuek, one of the organisers and an Australian.

He said those attending can expect generous helpings of authentic Aussie sausages on a bun prepared by a team of staff volunteers, drinks, custom giveaways and a lucky draw. They will also get to purchase Australia-themed merchandise, watch Australian entertainment shows on a big screen, and get free snapshots taken at an Australia Day photo booth.

The event is being jointly organised by Curtin Sarawak’s corporate communications, human resources and general administration departments. Supporting the event are Eastwood Golf & Country Club, Indocafe Malaysia, Click on Me Instabooth and Casa Gallery.

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. It is has been celebrated with an Aussie sausage sizzle giving staff 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.

Curtin staff enjoying last year’s Aussie Sausage Sizzle.

Australia-themed merchandise a feature of the annual event.