From a mesmerising robotic Rubik’s cube solving machine to a stunning Gates of Mordor, there was an impressive range of creations from Otago’s own Lego Masters at Lake Hāwea’s first Brick Show this past weekend.

The Central Otago Brick Show 2020 was instigated by 14-year-old Ben Pell of Hāwea Flat, and was only the second official Lego brick show to be held in Central Otago (one was held in Cromwell in 2018).

With the help of the Lego Users Group Otago (LUGO), the show at the Lake Hāwea Community Centre featured both Lego sets and original creations (known as MOCs - “my own creation”).

Nine or so Dunedin LUGO members exhibited their creations, alongside other Otago members and locals. There were 35 tables of displays, including Jurassic Park, a scale model of Dunedin’s Tunnel Beach with an array of pirate ships, a Hobbit garden, Star Wars, Friends, Harry Potter, and Speed Champions. 

Bryan Clark (15) of Lake Hāwea, with his Star Wars display. PHOTO: Wanaka App

There was also a display of MOCs from local children, brick pits for children to play with, a raffle of Lego sets, and a popular option for children to design their own Lego mini-figures.

More than 1000 people attended the show during the two days (November 14-15). 

"We had so many great, positive comments and lots of kids who were so excited and inspired to continue with their own Lego building," Ben's mother Catherine said.

Stu Hardisty’s scale model of Dunedin’s Tunnel Beach. PHOTO: Wanaka App

Bryan Clark (15) of Lake Hāwea displayed robots for the MOC competition, and his collection of Star Wars ships and Battle of Loth sets, representing about two days of building. 

Konnor Shan watches his EV3 robotics creation solve a scrambled Rubik’s cube. PHOTO: Wanaka App

“I think the appeal for me is I can just basically grab something from pop culture or something I enjoy, and make something completely new,” Bryan told the Wanaka App.

After seven-year-old Konnor Shan from Queenstown attended a Brick Show last year he told his mother he wanted to enter a show. On the weekend his Lego EV3 robotics model attracted a lot of attention: the model solved scrambled Rubik’s cubes by scanning the cube’s sides and following an algorithm.

Caz Rickerby with her Jurassic Park display, which included a smoking volcano, thanks to a diffuser hidden within the volcano’s core. PHOTO: Wanaka App

Aleksander Hay (14), a LUGO member from Dunedin, displayed a set of a figure playing a piano, and an impressive MOC of the Gates of Mordor, complete with hobbits Frodo and Sam in a cave.

Aleksander Hay with the Gates of Mordor. PHOTO: Ruth Heath

Damien Lund, a glazier from Alexandra, spent approximately 60 hours constructing his street scene with a row of two-storey buildings - each with complete rooms, including a dentist’s surgery and a dance studio. 

The palace was part of a Disney display. PHOTO: Wanaka App

He also displayed a laboriously made set of the Taj Mahal, and a range of other large sets. Lego-building is his only hobby, Damien said, and his creations have taken over the space in his home.

Damien with his Taj Mahal model. PHOTO: Wanaka App

“It is de-stressing to sit down and create something out of nothing,” he said.

Children make the most of the brick pit. PHOTO: Wanaka App

As well as a Kids' Model Building Competition there were prizes awarded for the best and most inventive exhibitions.

"The kids' building competition showed the immense talent within our local community. It was judged by three experienced Lego model builders who have exhibited at many shows around the country," Catherine said.

The results were:

6 and Under:

1st Archie Popperwell

2nd Elsie Baker

3rd Sam McCulloch

7-11 years:

1st Jasper Phillipson

2nd Lochy Hawkins

3rd Sophie Bull

3rd Milo Adams

12-16 years:

1st Bryan Clark

2nd Ash Buckland

Brick Show instigator Ben Pell (14), of Hāwea Flat, displays his Lego Technic Volvo truck. PHOTO: Wanaka App

Catherine said the organisers hope to make the Brick Show an annual event, although the next show is likely to be 16 months away. She said the Lake Hāwea Community Centre committee is also hoping to host a hobby show in the future.