They’re not common in the UK, but in Australia, Sausage Sizzles are very popular.

People grill sausages outdoors and serve them on long rolls / buns with generous amounts of tomato ketchup.

Sausage sizzles are used for all sorts of fundraising activities. My daughter’s school has them every so often, as do many societies and charities.

Now a row has blown up because of the “un-Australian” attitude of Gold Coast City Council. The council has refused a permit for a lifesaving club to have sausage sizzles on the esplanade – which they have traditionally done every Sunday in summer.

Whichever way they dispute is eventually resolved, it crystallised in my mind another Australian cultural icon – the sausage sizzle.

Australia has already exported the “barbie” to the UK – but not, unfortunately, typical barbie weather. I wonder how long it will take for the sausage sizzle to catch on in Britain?