Charlotte Varcoe
MOUNT Gambier/Berrin icon Alex McIntyre – best known as Human Lego Man – will hang up his Lego suit after almost two years.
Mr McIntyre first came back onto the Blue Lake City scene in his iconic Human Lego Man suit.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr McIntyre thought the local community seemed a little down, sparking the want to bring joy back to the main street.
Throughout his time as Lego Man, Mr McIntyre would travel across the region donned in his colourful suit, waving and interacting with the community to bring smiles to as many faces as he could.
Initially, Mr McIntyre donned the suit in 2013 when he built his first prototype with his mother, who has since passed away from cancer.
A decade on and Mr McIntyre would never have dreamed of the accomplishments he would make.
During 2023, Mr McIntyre not only brought smiles to South East residents, but he also raised more than $12,000 for the Cancer Council after walking from Naracoorte to Mount Gambier/Berrin in the suit.
Speaking with The Border Watch, Mr McIntyre said after a very busy year in the colourful suit, his passion had diminished.
“Most of the passion I once had was gone and every time I went into the Lego room at home to create new content and new costumes I just kept avoiding it,” Mr McIntyre said.
“I woke up one morning and thought I had given it all I could give.”
Recently Mr McIntyre experienced a fright when he was attacked by a dog while in the suit which he said made him realise how vulnerable he was.
“I used to be so active but I think I am getting a bit too old for all this stuff and the incident made me realise that,” he said.
“The best part of being Lego Man was the 100 kilometre walk but also all the media coverage and talking to each different news group.”
Mr McIntyre’s creativity did not end with the traditional Lego Man outfit with other costumes such as a Lego Batman, medieval outfit and a Lego police outfit also hitting the streets.
“The new costumes were good, it was also good fun collaborating with the local police for Coffee with a Cop,” he said.
“I did enjoy that and the Blue Light Disco as well, it was just fun for everyone and a good challenge for myself.”
Mr McIntyre said moving forward he was not finished with making costumes with him and a friend planning a Clone Trooper suit.
“If people want to make suits like that they just need to give it a go because if they try and fail then they know where they failed and they can make it better,” he said.
“Hot glue is also a saviour and I wish I knew about it earlier.”
Mr McIntyre said overall he was blown away by the support of the community.
“I do hope the new Lego men and ladies out there come out and do a few things in the community too,” he said.
“I think people should follow suit and give building costumes a go because it is fun.”
