Bunnings sausage sizzles are essential fundraisers for thousands of charities across the country. Photo: Henk Tobbe.
Hardware chain Bunnings has apologised for a “miscommunication” that led to the cancellation of a vegan sausage-sizzle fundraiser at its Fyshwick store, but it’s too little, too late for Little Oak Sanctuary.
The animal rescue organisation and sanctuary, based in Manar near Bungendore, has raised thousands of dollars at four different sausage sizzles outside Canberra Bunnings stores since the first at Gungahlin in 2014.
Founders James and Kate Luke only had one altercation halfway through running one outside the Fyshwick store in 2016 when a staff member demanded they sell meat options alongside the vegan sausages.
“The guy said it was an official requirement and in the paperwork, but I was like, ‘Well, I’ve looked through the paperwork, and I’m pretty sure it didn’t say that, but if that’s the case, we’re going to have to pack up because it’s against our ethics and we won’t do it’.”
She later received an apology from Bunnings Australia and assurance they would be welcome to hold more vegan BBQs at its Canberra stores.
The couple have since hosted them at Gungahlin and Belconnen – where the staff were “lovely” and the community reactions “fantastic” – and when they summoned the courage to return to Fyshwick Bunings on 23 June, they were even offered an additional slot on 10 August.
Kate certainly wasn’t expecting the phone call she received this week.
Kate Luke, Little Oak Sanctuary cofounder. Photo: Little Oak Sanctuary.
“Everything was progressing really well, and the activities officer was really friendly with us. But she called me on Tuesday, saying she’d seen our Facebook event listing advertised as a vegan sausage sizzle, and she was like, ‘What’s that about? You have to sell a beef option as well’.”
The sanctuary subsequently posted a statement to its Facebook page, expressing “deep sadness” with Bunnings.
“We are not going to sell the bodies of the animals we are trying to save, not now, not ever,” it read.
“We were counting on the funds for our winter fundraiser. We are devastated Bunnings has made this decision, not just for our organisation but also for other community groups who are choosing to take genuine action for animals and the climate.”
Bunnings has since apologised for what it describes as a “slight miscommunication” and says the slots remain open to Little Oak Sanctuary.
“Unfortunately, there was a slight miscommunication, and we’re working to contact the group to let them know we’re more than happy to honour their two scheduled fundraising dates,” regional manager David Williams said.
“We always try to cater to the preferences of community groups where possible, and we allow vegan-only sausage sizzles provided they’re discussed prior with the store, in line with our guidelines.”
Bunnings says they allow vegan-only sausage sizzles “provided they’re discussed prior with the store”. Photo: Michelle Kroll
In a letter to Kate, Bunnings managing director Mike Schneider was more personal.
“Asking you to cook and supply a meat option along with vegan sausages was not the right thing to do and not in keeping with our guidelines and I’m sorry our team provided you with this advice,” it read.
He also supplied the charity with a $500 gift card “to assist with your fundraising efforts”.
However, Kate says two instances are enough, and they’ve washed their hands of Fyshwick Bunnings.
“We’ve had some other organisations reaching out to us to hold fundraisers with them, so we’re moving forward with those, or we’ll hold our own thing. But yeah, we don’t want to repeat.”
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