For 20 years, Brickvention has been the beating heart of Australia’s AFOL community, a place where imagination runs wild, friendships are forged, and creativity is celebrated on a truly monumental scale. At the beginning of that story is Sue Ann Barber, a long-time member of both the Australian and international LEGO communities, and one of a small group of community-minded, forward-thinking AFOLs who founded Brickvention.
Through decades of building, organising, and connecting AFOLs from around the world, Sue Ann has helped shape not just an event, but a community, one built on friendship, creativity, and a shared love of LEGO bricks.
As Brickvention marks its 20th anniversary, Sue Ann reflects on the origins of the event, the memories that still make her smile, and the community that continues to inspire her year after year.
When was your first Brickvention, and what do you remember most about it?
Sue Ann: My first Brickvention was the very first one in 2006 at Melbourne University. I remember being blown away by the creativity and skill levels of my fellow AFOLs, and the community created by a shared passion.
From day one, Brickvention was about more than builds, it was always about people.
What was the inspiration for the creation of Brickvention in the first place?
Sue Ann: Brickvention was created to give the AFOL community somewhere to meet and to share their common interests.
We’d been having unofficial “National Meets” in different parts of Australia and we wanted to make it a more structured event, in line with the events we had heard about in other countries. Originally, Brickvention was meant to move around the country, but that didn’t happen, so it became a Melbourne thing, and a great excuse to catch up with other AFOLs and show the wider community what can be achieved with LEGO bricks.
What started as an idea quickly became an annual tradition.
What’s your favourite Brickvention memory?
Sue Ann: Gosh, after 20 years there have been so many moments. Meeting all of our fabulous guest speakers is definitely up there. Being able to include John Peddie – the man who brought LEGO to Australia – as a guest will always be a highlight.
My second favourite memory was hearing about the kid who went home after attending one of the public days and immediately started “playing Brickvention” with their own LEGO bricks.
Inspiring the next generation has always been part of the magic.
What keeps you coming back each year?
Sue Ann: The community and their amazing creations. I’ve met so many lovely people through the AFOL community and, sometimes, Brickvention is the only time I see them in person.
Once you’re part of the Brickvention family, it’s hard to stay away.
What was your first MOC at Brickvention, and how did people react to it?
Sue Ann: I had three displays at the first Brickvention. There was Doctor Who’s TARDIS, The Rock Festival, and two cabinets of LEGO merchandise.
The Rock Festival had the best response. In the days before Collectable Minifigures and Build-a-Minifig walls in LEGO stores, people were amazed at the number of minifigs — and they loved all of the different bands represented at the festival.
Sue Ann’s Rock Festival and Tardis builds will be making a return to Brickvention after 20 years. Make sure you check them out at Brickvention 2026!
What does the Brickvention community mean to you?
Sue Ann: Friendship, happiness, laughter, and good times.
Sometimes the simplest answers say the most.
Have you made lasting friendships or connections through Brickvention?
Sue Ann: Yes, definitely. I’m still great friends with many of the people I’ve met over the last 20 years, and I look forward to seeing them every year.
We’ve said it before, Brickvention friendships don’t end when the doors close.
What’s something most people don’t see or realise about what goes on behind the scenes?
Sue Ann: Unless you have organised an event like Brickvention, you have no idea of the sheer amount of work involved in organising and setting up the event. As it is all volunteer-run and organised, it can sometimes feel like having a second full-time job!
A labour of love – powered entirely by passion.
What does 20 years of Brickvention mean to you personally?
Sue Ann: I am personally delighted that Brickvention has made it to 20 years. We certainly would never have imagined it back in the early 2000s when we first thought about creating the event.
I have so much love for the event and have spent a lot of time telling people how amazing it is – and how they should clear their calendar so they never miss it.
Twenty years on, the excitement is still contagious.
If you could describe Brickvention in three words, what would they be?
Sue Ann: Mind-blowing. Community. Creativity.
From humble beginnings to its place as one of the world’s great LEGO fan events, Brickvention’s story is inseparable from the people who built it. Sue Ann Barber’s passion, warmth, and commitment have helped shape two decades of creativity – and a community that continues to grow, inspire, and amaze.
Want to follow Sue Ann’s creative journey? Find her on Instagram at @mortonhall_afol.
Want to meet Sue Ann in person? Join us at Brickvention 2026 at the Royal Exhibition Building, 17–18 January. Tickets via Humanitix.