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Lego event brings magic to Ballina

Have you ever wondered what a Lego Big Prawn would look like? Hundreds of Lego fans clicked at the 2023 Ballina Brick Event. Watch the video.

2023 Ballina Brick Event

Lego lovers enjoyed a magical treat in Ballina for the third annual two-day Ballina Brick Event.

The event showcased creations from many talented builders who had their pieces on exhibition built entirely from Lego.

Building on success of previous events the 2023 Ballina Brick Event fan showcase welcomed back fans of all ages.

Hundreds filled the Ballina RSL to see exquisite train displays, a massive Theme Park, Agents Airport and the incredible Magical World of Harry Potter in Lego, plus many more.

Brick Events organiser Adrian Murphy with his massive theme park display at Ballina RSL club on Sunday, April 16.
Brick Events organiser Adrian Murphy with his massive theme park display at Ballina RSL club on Sunday, April 16.

Organiser Adrian Murphy said the privately run group of brick enthusiasts have now had their work shown in Ballina for the third year running.

“It’s also the tenth year that Brick Events have had shows across NSW,” Mr Murphy said.

“We just basically build whatever we like and come down and put on a big display for the public.”

Mr Murphy said the displays are all from private collections from fans of Lego.

“It’s people’s passion, so we [Brick Events] organise it all and they come in to play with us.”

He said due to the sheer size of some of the dioramas Lego builders can take hours to carefully assemble their displays.

Donna Went, from Redlands in Brisbane said she hasn’t outgrown her childhood love of Lego.

“I’ve always been interested in architecture, castles specifically,” Ms Went said.

“It all started with my son’s eighth birthday when I bought him a Harry Potter Lego set castle.

“It began with the Great Hall and then its just slowly built organically from then on.”

Donna Went, from Redlands, Brisbane, with her Harry Potter-themed Lego diorama at the Ballina RSL Club on Sunday, April 16.
Donna Went, from Redlands, Brisbane, with her Harry Potter-themed Lego diorama at the Ballina RSL Club on Sunday, April 16.
Donna Went estimates over one million Lego bricks make up her Harry Potter-themed Lego diorama.
Donna Went estimates over one million Lego bricks make up her Harry Potter-themed Lego diorama.

Ms Went has been building for 12 years and displaying for 10.

“I wasn’t into Harry Potter until my son brought the book home. Now I’m obsessed with both Lego and Harry Potter,” Ms Went said.

Ballina Lego master builder Coopa Donnelly, 15, showcasing the Ballina Big Prawn among many other creations, at the Ballina Brick Event in the Ballina RSL Club on Sunday, April 16.
Ballina Lego master builder Coopa Donnelly, 15, showcasing the Ballina Big Prawn among many other creations, at the Ballina Brick Event in the Ballina RSL Club on Sunday, April 16.

Ballina teen Conna Donnelly has been into Lego “almost his entire life”, winning Lego contests regularly at the Hawkesbury Show in Sydney.

“Lego is endless creativity,” Mr Donnelly said.

“It’s easier than model-building, in a way.”

Finding inspiration via Instagram, real life and other Brick Events he then puts his mind to a concept and builds it with Lego.

The 15-year-old is exhibiting for the second time at Ballina.

“Hopefully in the future I can travel around,” he said.

Event staff said the 2023 showcase has been the biggest in Ballina yet with some of the profits of the Ballina Brick Event going towards Camp Quality - Helping Kids face cancer.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/lismore/lego-event-brings-magic-to-ballina/news-story/88faf7e107995c4b2f40bcff474fb55b