Aussie icon returns as Bunnings sausage sizzles back on menu

Fire up the barbecue, an Aussie icon is returning to Victoria in another sign of ‘normality’ amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The barbecue is firing up as an Aussie icon makes a comeback.

The Bunnings sausage sizzle is set to return to Melbourne in early December and selected regional Victorian stores from November 14.

The smell of fried onion has been a notable absence from the hardware store giant after the popular community fundraiser was suspended in March due to COVID-19.

The snags, slapped on thin, white bread and enjoyed with a squirt of sauce and sprinkling of onion, have become a cultural staple for many Australians.

Due to COVID-19 cases, Victoria has been the last state to bring back the barbecue, but Bunnings confirmed on Monday its plans to get sizzling again.

“Victorians have done such an amazing job flattening the curve, and we hope bringing back sausage sizzles will be yet another sign we can reclaim a sense of normality while remaining COVID safe,” Bunnings chief operating officer Deb Poole said.

The Bunnings snags will be back in Victoria soon. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jenny Evans

The sausage sizzles are an important fundraiser for hundreds of community groups across Victoria.

This time around, they will include COVID-19 safe steps, including increased cleaning and hygiene measures.

The hardware giant will also consult with the government and community groups and follow latest health advice before confirming return dates.

A sign at Bunnings Pascoe Vale, advising sausage sizzles are suspended. Picture: Supplied via NCA NewsWire

“We know our customers love to support these groups by stopping by the sausage sizzles, and our store teams can’t wait to help restart this weekend tradition,” Ms Poole said.

“The feedback from community groups and customers in states where we’ve brought the fundraisers back has been phenomenal.

“The community groups have done an excellent job prioritising customer safety with the new physically distanced layouts and additional hygiene measures we have in place.”

Bunnings sausage sizzles have already returned to other states, using COVID-safe measures. Picture: Tim Hunter.

More than 40,000 sausage sizzles are run by local community groups every year.

The first community sausage sizzle was run 26 years ago at Bunnings Sunshine in Melbourne.