Who is Ryan McNaught?
Ryan (aka Brickman) is a LEGO Certified Professional – one of only 23 individuals worldwide and the sole representative in the Southern Hemisphere. His exhibition, LEGO Star Wars is currently on display at Melbourne Museum. Ryan can also be seen on LEGO Masters Australia on the Nine Network.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
Look after my body better. Who knew that 20 and 30 year-olds think their body is indestructible?! I never got into distance running until later in life and it’s dramatically affected by everything I did (or didn’t do) to look after my body earlier in life.
Who inspires you and why?
I take inspiration from so many places and so many different fields; my fellow LEGO certified professionals are by far and away the most inspirational for me from a career point of view.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I think I’d paint the world with an equality brush: everything from food, wealth, healthcare… wouldn’t it be awesome if everyone had the same opportunities?
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Anywhere my loved ones are. I travel a lot for work and rarely try to go back to the same place twice, as there is so much more to see in the world. But right now the cold mornings are no fun, so I’m going with the Maldives.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
That’s an awesome question! Of course it’s to my new LEGO Star Wars: The Exhibition at Melbourne Museum, but after that must-see. Can’t-live-without highlight, as a former country person, it’s the Central Deborah Gold Mine in Bendigo – it’s amazing and totally unique!
What are you currently reading?
I’m currently reading a book by a chap named Simon Kohler who worked for Hornby model railways for ever. It’s about the product development lifecycle in bringing a new product line to life. He’s very honest in the mistakes he made, and that’s a great free learning opportunity.
What are you currently listening to?
I usually have either a mix of 80s music or a lot of podcasts: Sizzletown, From the Hideout and Sports Bizzare are all always played.
Happiness is?
That’s a tie, either: the feeling of fresh crisp sheets, or the look on people’s faces when they get to enjoy my work.
What does the future hold for you?
I’ve got a massive list of things I’d love to create, build and share. I’m not sure my lifetime will be long enough, so I am always working on what the next biggest and best thing I’ve ever made is.
Ryan is the brainchild behind and creator of LEGO Star Wars: The Exhibition – which is currently on display at Melbourne Museum until January 2026. For more information, visit: www.museumsvictoria.com.au for details.
Image: Ryan McNaught (supplied)