COVID-19 taking the sizzle out of democracy sausage stalls

Schools and community groups are being forced to decide whether or not to go ahead with their ‘democracy sausage’ sizzles on QLD council election day, as the coronavirus continues to tighten its grip.

Schools and community groups are being forced to decide whether or not to go ahead with their ‘democracy sausage’ sizzles on QLD council election day, as the coronavirus continues to tighten its grip.

With March 28 fast approaching, the group behind the event planned at Macleay Island Community Centre Hall is among those who’ve made the tough call not to proceed over health and safety fears for volunteers and those attending.

The proceeds were to have gone to fundraising for Macleay Island Local Ambulance Committee.

“We decided to cancel yesterday (Sunday),” organiser Cheyne Collingwood said.

“It is disappointing, but we are an island community, so we’ve got to be very careful – I don’t think anyone will be doing one on Macleay now.”

The Girl Guides’ sausage sizzle planned at the Lavalla Centre, Paddington, has also been cancelled.

Sausage sandwiches and stalls selling cakes, jams, pickles and craft will still be on offer at St. Oswald’s Anglican Church Hall at Banyo though, with organiser Dianne Barnham confirming their event will go ahead as planned.

“We had a meeting on Sunday and will press ahead, unless council stops it for some reason.

“We are very used to having barbecues with the public, and always have the proper stalls and hygiene.

“People still have to come and vote – and of course everybody is concerned about it, but life just goes on as normal. No-one here is in isolation at this stage.”

Then-Australian Opposition Leader Bill Shorten and his wife Chloe eat a democracy sausage after casting their votes in the 2019 Federal Election. Picture: AAP Image/Lukas Coch.

At Wondall Heights State School, the decision’s been made to cancel the bake sale, but organiser Sarah Wilson said the team was still looking at selling sausages and ice creams.

“We’re having a meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) for the P and C, but at the moment it’s going ahead,” she said.

“It’s not all about the virus – it’s the amount of people who’ve decided to do postal votes. It’s hard enough with all of this going around – but if people aren’t going to be coming, it makes it even more difficult.”

Aspley State School was planning to hold a stall to fundraise to build more shade at the school, but committee member Alice Long said they’re waiting to see what Brisbane City Council advises.

“We’re having a meeting tomorrow night – our volunteers are all concerned.

“We’ll work out all the pros and cons and make the call closer to the day, but things seem to be changed at an hourly rate. We’re still keen to provide it and we may well do with all the hygiene measures in place.”

Grant Anderson at Bethania Community Care said their event will go ahead but they’re keeping a close eye on things, and taking extra precautions.

“By this weekend we’ll make a final decision – but it’s not only polling day for us – we have two community feeds as well,” Mr Anderson said.

“At the one on Thursdays we get 150 people turning up every week, so we’ve got to make what might be a harsh call there.

“We can still go home and have a meal, but the homeless and disadvantaged don’t get that opportunity.”

The disco at Beenleigh State School has been cancelled, but the school’s Susan Brooks said a decision was yet to be made on their polling day sausage sizzle and cake stall.

Organisers of events planned at Waterford West State School, Mansfield State School and Seville Road State School at Holland Park, all confirmed meetings are being held today to decide whether or to proceed.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner is hopeful election day fundraisers can continue “in a safe way. Picture: Peter Wallis.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said he hoped election day fundraisers could still continue “provided its done in a safe way, just to manage the risk” but that each group would make its own decision.

“Election Day is often a fundraiser for P & C’s and other sporting clubs, selling the democracy sausage, and that’s certainly something I don’t want to miss out on,” he said.

“I’ll be going on Election Day just to get the democracy sausage.”

“So we need to work with groups to make sure we can help in any way possible as a council to get them through this time, just as we work with small business as well and other community organisations,” he said.