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Simon Scholtens came out of the LEGO closet in 2015. He is one of thousands of adult LEGO users in Australia who build intricate and imposing constructions. “I loved LEGO as a kid, ever since I was 4 or 5. When I became a teenager, it was put away in a closet. In 2007, they started releasing the adult collectible sets, and I walked past one in Myer and just thought, you know what, I want this. It all started from there,” Mr. Scholtens said. Mr. Scholtens met local LEGO legend Graham Draper by chance when Mr. Draper came to one of his open houses, “He got wind that I was a LEGO fan in the closet. There are a few of us there, but we’re coming out of the closet these days,” Scholtens said. Since then, the pair have become good friends and founding members of GONGLUGS, Wollongong Lego Users Group. Together, they set up the annual Illawarra Brick Show, with Mr. Scholtens’ real estate business as the main sponsor.The brick show raises money for local children’s charities and this year more than 220 builder table displays Read more: Illawarra LEGO fan brings his traveling show to Batemans Bay to kick off state tour Mr Scholtens showcases one of his own builds, a 1.5 display meter of a train crossing the snowy Alps. “I build madly after working hours. I shudder to think of how many bricks there are in it,” he said. The brick show, taking place this weekend at Berkeley Sports Stadium, is expected to be the biggest yet. said Mr. Draper. “We have a lot of new exhibitors bringing next-level releases,” he said. “I have a guy who has never exhibited. He spent two years in confinement building a castle plan with a quarter of a million pieces. It’s his passion but it never happened.” With LEGO masters traveling from all over Australia to show off their creations, it’s a weekend not to be missed, Mr Draper said. Lord of the Rings towers with majestic architecture, there’s something for everyone. March 12 and 13, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Illawarra Sports Stadium in Berkeley. More information on the event and the sale of tickets here. Read more: Nitro Circus to operate as normal in Wollongong despite rain Illawarra Mercury’s newsroom is funded by our readers. You can sign up to support our journalism here. news below…

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Simon Scholtens came out of the LEGO closet in 2015. He is one of thousands of adult LEGO users in Australia who build intricate and imposing constructions.

“I loved LEGO as a kid, ever since I was 4 or 5. When I became a teenager, it was put away in a closet. In 2007, they started releasing the adult collectible sets, and I walked past one in Myer and just thought, you know what, I want it. It all started from there,” Mr. Scholtens said.

Mr. Scholtens met local LEGO legend Graham Draper by chance when Mr. Draper came to one of his open houses.

“He got wind that I was a LEGO fan in the closet. We’re a few out there, but we’re coming out of the closet these days,” Mr. Scholtens said.

Since then, the duo have become good friends and founding members of GONGLUGS, Wollongong Lego Users Group. Together they set up the annual Illawarra Brick Show, with Mr. Scholtens’ real estate business as the main sponsor. The Brick Show raises money for local children’s charities and this year more than 220 tabletop displays from LEGO builders across the country will be on display.

Quite a build: Simon Scholtens exhibits his Snowy Alps train build at the Illawarra Brick Show. Photo: Sylvia Liber

Mr Scholtens is exhibiting one of his own constructions, a 1.5 meter display of a train crossing the snow-capped Alps.

“I build madly after hours. I shudder to think how many bricks there are in it,” he said.

The brick show, taking place this weekend at Berkeley Sports Stadium, is expected to be the biggest yet, Draper said.

“We have a lot of new exhibitors bringing next-level releases,” he said. “I have a guy who has never exhibited. He spent two years in confinement building a castle plan with a quarter of a million pieces. It’s his passion but it never saw the light of day.”

With LEGO masters traveling from all over Australia to show off their creations, it’s a weekend not to be missed, Mr Draper said. From Lord of the Rings towers to majestic architecture, there is something for everyone.

March 12 and 13, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Illawarra Sports Stadium in Berkeley. More information about the event and ticket sales here.

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