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The Well-LUGazette - August 2026

  • pete
  • 18 hours ago
  • 4 min read

Kia ora Well-LUG members,

Welcome to the very first edition of the Well-LUGazette!

One of the things that makes Well-LUG special is our members. We have talented builders, collectors, event organisers and volunteers spread across the lower North Island, all with great stories to tell.

The aim of the Well-LUGazette is simple.  Every couple of months, we'll share what's happening around the LUG, celebrate our members, showcase amazing builds, and keep everyone up to date with upcoming events and LEGO news.  It’s a trial, so please share your feedback – if we don’t hear that you’re enjoying it, we’ll not know to keep it going.

So, we hope you enjoy the first edition:

👋A Word from our President

As I write this, we're right in the middle of our the busiest time of the year for Well-LUG.

Our Brick Shows are the public face of our club, but what visitors see when they visit is only possible because of the many hours our members, you all, invest throughout the year. From designing and building displays, to planning events, volunteering, mentoring new members and simply sharing ideas, every one of you helps make Well-LUG what it is.

One of the things I'm most proud of is that we're more than a club that enjoys LEGO. We're a community. We celebrate each other's successes, learn from one another and have a lot of fun along the way.

I hope this new newsletter helps strengthen those connections even further. Take a few minutes to read the stories, celebrate the achievements of fellow members, and if you've got something you'd like to share in a future edition, please do share.

Thanks for everything you do for Well-LUG, and I look forward to seeing many of you at our upcoming events.

Happy building!

-Chris

Earlier this year, Well-LUG members Tony and Rachael, Marianne and John, and Alex travelled to Billund, Denmark, the birthplace of LEGO, as part of a group tour for AFOLs.

Their journey took them behind the scenes, through LEGO House, LEGOLAND and around the town where it all began. Along the way they made lifelong friends, rediscovered their inner child, and came home inspired.


👉 Read the full story »

This month we're shining the spotlight on one of our members.

If you've spent any time around Well-LUG, chances are you've met Russell Whitlock. As our Secretary, Russell is one of those members who quietly keeps things moving behind the scenes, while always finding time to lend a hand wherever it's needed.

Russell is a familiar face at Wellington Club Days and is just as likely to be found driving across the region to support events across the wider Well-LUG community. His willingness to get involved and help out is one of the many reasons he's such a valued member of the club.

When it comes to building, Russell has carved out a niche all of his own. Rather than building large displays, he specialises in miniature LEGO creations, recreating iconic vehicles from film and popular culture in remarkably small scales. One of his favourites is the legendary James Bond Aston Martin, proving that great LEGO models don't have to be built with thousands of pieces to make an impact. Of course, Russell has a perfectly practical explanation for his love of miniature builds... in real life he drives an MX-5, and with a boot that doesn't leave much room for transporting large LEGO creations, building small has become something of a necessity! It's a story that always gets a laugh, but there's no denying he's become a master of the miniature.

Away from LEGO, Russell lives in Upper Hutt, works in Wellington's CBD, and enjoys spending time with his family. Whether he's helping organise the club, supporting an event, or sharing one of his latest creations, he's always approachable and happy to chat with fellow members.

If you'd like to learn more about Russell, check out his YouTube channel: 👉 Russell Whitlock on YouTube

Thanks, Russell, for everything you do for Well-LUG. We're lucky to have you as part of the team!

Wellington[CONTENT TO COME] Next Monthly Meeting 📅 1-3.30pm, 22nd Aug 📍 Te Matapihi ki the Ao Nui, Wellington Central Library Palmerston North[CONTENT TO COME] Next Monthly Meeting 📅 [CONTENT TO COME]📍Palmerston North Boys High School

Hawke's Bay[CONTENT TO COME] Next Monthly Meeting 📅 [CONTENT TO COME]📍Napier Intermediate School

Whanganui[CONTENT TO COME] Next Monthly Meeting 📅 [CONTENT TO COME]📍Elms Restaurant at St John's Club, 158 Glasgow Street



The Wellington Brick Show is only a few weeks away and preparations are well underway. Exhibitors are putting the finishing touches on their displays, volunteers are getting ready, and the organising team is counting down to another fantastic weekend.

If you're exhibiting, now's the time for those final checks. If you're volunteering, thank you. We couldn't do it without you.

👉 Buy your Wellington Brick Show tickets »

New LEGO Ideas sets released

It's a big month for LEGO Ideas fans, with three new fan-designed sets now available: The X-Files, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and La Catrina. Plenty of inspiration if you're looking for your next build.

Read more:

Every LEGO set launching in August

August is one of the busiest release months of the year, with new LEGO Ideas, Icons, Super Mario and other themes arriving in stores. If you're planning your next purchase, it's worth checking out the full release list.

Read more:

  • Welcome to our newest members [CONTENT TO COME - RUSSELL?]

  • Buy / Sell / Swap [DO WE WANT THIS?]

  • Volunteer opportunities

    [CONTENT TO COME - DO WE HAVE ANYTHING?]

  • Congratulations

    [CONTENT TO COME - SOMETHING ABOUT THE GRUFFALO?]

Two Legends of Well-LUG recently met Brickman at the Christchurch Brick Show... oh, and Barny and Tyla were there too.
We'd love your feedback

This newsletter is for our members, and we'd love your help shaping future editions.

Have an interesting build? Been to a LEGO event? Got a collection you'd like to share? Know someone who deserves a Member Spotlight?

Just email with your ideas, stories and photos. Till then, see you next edition of the Well-LUGazette!



 

How would you rate this edition of the Well-LUGazette?

  • 5 - It was great

  • 4 - It was good

  • 3 - It was okay

  • 2 - It was poor


 
 
 

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