by Lukas Mack
This month’s issue of the Build Night Break Down is jam-packed with all the regular Buildapalooza goodness you’ve come to expect, plus highlights from PerthLUG’s first Annual General Meeting. Join me as we break it all down!
Just a quick note for those new here: Buildapalooza is PerthLUG’s regular social event, where on the second Monday of every month we bring along a Lego set and just build and socialise. We’re a friendly bunch from all walks of life. It’s just $5 for non-members to help keep the lights on. Where & when at the bottom of the page.
We’ll get to prizes, the Parts Draft and our build highlights in just a moment, but first, let’s start off with some coverage of PerthLUG’s first AGM. The AGM is a big milestone for the club. It’s where financial members have the opportunity to hear reports from key committee members and vote on important matters, as well as available committee positions. The full details will be covered in the minutes, but let’s take a moment now to highlight some key moments.
Our outgoing President, Dale Horsley, introduced the meeting while reflecting on the group’s long history. PerthLUG traces its roots back 11 years (or so; let’s not get technical here), where Dale and Richie had the bright idea of connecting Lego fans from around our great city. Together with Richie, Dale has given so much to directing our fine club and fostering the genuine values of creativity, inclusivity and shared passion that PerthLUG is known for. Dale will continue to be a huge presence within PerthLUG and we thank you for the overwhelming contribution you’ve made to Perth’s LEGO community.
The question of who should be our next President was put to the members to have their say in what can only be described as the friendliest election of all time. Matthew (a.k.a Spud) Williams and Michael Brennan presented members with two genuinely amazing options. Ultimately, Spud was tasked with taking up the challenge. We thank Michael for throwing his name in the hat. PerthLUG is lucky to have this range of talent. Congratulations Spud; your years of participation and experience in our community will undoubtedly lead us to further glory.
The next position up for grabs was Treasurer. Silvia May vacates this role, but the positive impact of this powerhouse cannot be understated. Like Dale, Silvia will continue to be very involved about the place, no doubt. Thank you for guarding the pursestrings and setting us up so strongly Silvia. The position is now filled by Helen Stapledon, who brings a wealth of experience helping PerthLUG every month for many years. Our finances are surely in safe hands. Thank you both.
Our LEGO Ambassador position is a bit of a unique role: it’s our formal go-between PerthLUG and the big brick company. Co-founder Richie Moir passed the torch earlier this year to Kim Brackman after many years of service. Richie has dedicated countless hours to communications, reports, organising LugBulk orders and probably a hundred other tasks I’m unaware of. Though Richie will continue to work for this community on other projects like our Brickmas Appeal, we thank you for all that you’ve done and who you are. Richie leaves the work of Ambassador in the very capable hands of Kim who presented a thorough report to the meeting. Thank you both.
One final position change on the committee; famous MOC builder, YouTuber and Parts Draft conductor extraordinaire Ben makes way for Krista Gecko as General Committee Member. Krista brings a breadth of board experience and an honest voice to the position. Thank you Ben and welcome aboard Krista.
As mentioned, full details of the AGM will be released later (if they haven’t already at the time of publication), but now let’s jump into the prizes at Monday night’s Buildapalooza.
Our members’ draw this month saw THREE lucky winners take home lovely LEGO prizes! Robert C picked up the charming City Camper Van 60454: love the dark red colour on that wheeled beast. Meanwhile, Doug D snagged the WALL-E and EVE 43279. Ambassador Kim accepted the prize on behalf of Doug. I cannot guarantee that Doug will see this set. Sorry Doug. Lastly, and absent on the night, Daniel S won a perfectly timed City Advent calendar. Congrats to all our lucky members.
We’re not quite done with the prizes just yet. How’s this sweet and delectible sampling of LEGO Ideas goodness: the delicious-looking Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory 21360? Perhaps it’s a good thing this author didn’t win the extra-special bonus raffle because that set certainly looks appetising! I’m sure this set will bring our winning team of Kate & Andrew A many, many hours of enjoyment. Enjoy.
Now to this month’s parts draft. Up for the sorting this time round was the Harry Potter Charms Class 76442. What’s all this Parts Draft thing then? It’s a great resource for all MOC builders to take home decently useful quantities of Lego parts. Each participant contributes a set and the group divvies up the pieces. If you’d like to join in, just follow us along at our PerthLUG Facebook page and you’ll get the heads up on which set to bring along next month.
Aaaaand now it’s time for the Build Night Build Reviewww! I always love to scout about the hall and take a gander at what sets folk have brought along. Thanks to the supreme patience and generosity of our Buildapalooza patrons, I have a small sample to share here. Let’s start with Krista’s GameBoy. Wow, this thing brings back those childhood memories. Krista noted the overall attention to detail, like the button actions and the accurate scaling. It’s even better in person with that lenticular ‘screen’. 10/10.
Next cab off the ranks, Jordan finishes the buildable C-3PO from a galaxy far, far away. This build has been a labour of love over many months. I recall when this was just an unfinished leg some time ago, but goldy is finally all built. The pose and silver details really do go a long way to finish off this fancy protocol droid.
Here’s a story to celebrate. I highlighted a Speed Champions set many, many moons ago. I had a blast chatting with its owner, Ash, about his chase for a couple of the final sets. Ash has now caught up on all Speed Champions sets released so far and is now working his way through building the back catalogue he’s collected. What a remarkable achievement to complete the collection. The Mini Coopers (set 75894) you brought along Monday are super – that adorable classic red Mini nearly made its way home with me, I swear.
Let’s finish up the Build Review with some clever Christmas sets – ’tis (nearly) the season after all. Natalia had a couple of GWPs to share, including the little Firework Celebration 40689 and the charming Ballerina & Nutcracker Scene 40701. The dancer pirouettes and everything; absolute winner of a GWP and one that had completely danced me by! Steaming along with Christmas cheer, Joanne impressed with the teenie tiny special moving 3D printed LEGO train, as well as its big brother, the Icons Holiday Express Train. Lovely how the season brings families together, ain’t it? And finally, Joh brings it home with her latest inclusion to the home display, the Festive Gingerbread House. A solid build to end us off. Thanks to everyone again for sharing your builds.
A couple of quick reminders before we wrap this one up:
There is still time to contribute to our Brickmas appeal, supporting CanTeen WA and tough kids doing it tough this Christmas. If you can, we invite you to donate a small (new) LEGO set at next month’s Buildapalooza or Minifigapalooza. Your generosity is so appreciated.
Our next LEGO Buy & Sell day, Minifigapalooza, is coming up real soon on Sunday, December 7th, 2-5pm at South Perth Community Centre: Corner Sandgate and South Terrace in South Perth. Pick yourself up a bargain or ten, just in time for Santa. So perfect you’d think we planned it that way!
And that’s it. We’re done and dusted for another issue of the Build Night Break Down. Thanks for joining me in this epic AGM special. Buildapalooza is back again next month at 7-11pm, Monday, 8th December at our usual spot — John McGrath Pavilion, off Hensman Street, South Perth. See you there.
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