New brick-building buddies Henry Pinto and Cade Franklin win Lego Masters

Henry Pinto and his new brick-building buddy, Cade Franklin are “totally pumped*” to be crowned the Lego Masters of Australia.

The show, which features grown men and women making weird and wonderful Lego sculptures, has been an instant Australian TV hit and has now earned Mr Pinto and Mr Franklin a whopping $100,000 in prizemoney.

The two were paired by Channel 9 for the show and started working together after just one phone call — but they have become firm friends.

Their relaxed and calm style has won them millions of fans as their Lego builds became ever more difficult.

They finally took home the prize after building an impressive model of Poseidon, the God of the Sea*, emerging from the waves, complete with sea dragon and a ship, after a marathon* 28-hour session.

After the first episode, eBay reported a rise of 89 per cent in its sales of Lego toys.

Mr Pinto, the director of a property valuation firm in Sydney, and Mr Franklin, a video games designer from Brisbane, are self-confessed* Lego addicts — and both have very understanding wives.

“My wife is incredibly supportive,” Mr Franklin said.

“On our two-week honeymoon, she wanted to go to Paris. So we spent a week in Paris and a week at Legloland in Denmark.”

“My wife would have killed me for that!” Mr Pinto said in reaction. 

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Both attend adults-only Lego clubs and have around 200,000 Lego pieces in their collections.

“It’s totally nerdy. I think it’s because I have a very stringent* corporate* job, where it’s high pressure and high performance, so saw it as a really creative outlet,” Mr Pinto said.

“I try not to build for the sake of it, but only when I am really inspired — like a mad scientist — but that will only last for three to six months.”

Both have a plan for their share of the winnings.

Mr Pinto said he would do “whatever my wife wants to do with it”.

“She held the fort with three children while I did this. If she, maybe, gives me $1000 to buy some more Lego, she can do what she likes with the rest of it,” he said.

Mr Franklin said he “will be buying some more Lego — I have a list of what I will be purchasing. And I really want to take my family to Legoland in Denmark”.

GLOSSARY

• pumped: excited
• Poseidon, the God of the Sea: a god from Greek mythology
• marathon: long-lasting or difficult activity
• self-confessed: admit it themselves
• stringent: strict
• corporate: a large company

EXTRA READING

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This six-year-old boy earns $14 million

QUICK QUIZ

1. How long have Mr Pinto and Mr Franklin known each other?
2. How much prizemoney did they win?
3. What was their winning Lego creation?
4. What is Mr Franklin’s normal job?
5. How much have Lego sales increased by on eBay since the show started?

LISTEN TO THIS STORY

CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
1. Lego debate
Is Lego the greatest toy ever invented?

Split the class into two and assign one group the Yes argument and the other side the No argument. Form at least 3 points for your side that illustrate why your argument is correct.

Hold a debate with 3 members from each side presenting the arguments. Teacher to decide on the winner.

Time: Allow 45 minutes for this activity, including debate.
Curriculum Links: English, Critical and Creative Thinking

VCOP ACTIVITY
After reading the article, with a partner, highlight as many connectives as you can find in pink. Discuss if these are being used as conjunctions, or to join ideas and create flow.

HAVE YOUR SAY: What is the most amazing creation you have ever made with Lego?
No one-word answers. Use full sentences to explain your thinking. No comments will show until approved by editors.