By day, Doug Marr manages the financial intricacies of a construction firm as a general manager. However, when evening falls, this former electrical tradesman retreats to his Newcastle shed, where he channels his hands-on expertise into crafting something far more extraordinary.
From Spreadsheets to Sci-Fi Armour
For many, hobbies involve gardening or weekend sports. For Marr, it means fabricating towering, seven-foot-tall wearable exoskeletons that appear to have marched directly out of a video game. Indeed, many of his creations are inspired by popular culture from TV shows and games like Fallout.
These intricate cosplay pieces not only captivate crowds with their impressive scale and detail but have also become powerful tools for philanthropy, helping to raise nearly $300,000 for various charities.
A Foundation Built on Practical Skills
Marr's professional journey began on the tools, working as an electrical tradesman and instrumentation fitter. He developed practical skills from a young age, learning alongside his father, a mechanical engineer.
"I like building things," Marr shared in an interview. "That's always been my outlet."
The catalyst for transforming his hobby into a significant charitable endeavour came from his children. When his son and daughter expressed interest in attending video game and pop culture conventions in costume, Marr assessed the commercially available options and believed he could produce superior quality.
"I've got a pretty heavy competitive streak," he admitted. "If I want to build something, I want to build it well—and I just couldn't accept the stuff that I bought at the shops... I knew it could be better."
Engineering Excellence and Personal Resilience
Driven by this pursuit of excellence, Marr delved into advanced 3D fabrication techniques. He was determined to create costumes that were not merely static displays but functional wearable art.
Leveraging his trade background, he engineered innovative mechanisms, such as heel-and-toe systems integrated into the boots of his massive suits. He masterfully combines materials like foam, metal, 3D-printed components, and custom electronics to achieve an optimal balance between durability and manageable weight.
Each suit represents weeks to months of dedicated work during late nights, but Marr finds the effort profoundly rewarding.
"The first time I put on power armour, it was one of the greatest feelings ever," he recalled. "It was awesome. No word of a lie, it is brilliant."
Turning Adversity into Altruism
While his power armour creations project an image of invincibility, Marr personally understands life's fragility. Three years ago, he suffered a massive stroke, a harrowing experience that forced him to relearn basic functions like walking and talking.
"It was a very, very humbling experience," Marr reflected. "But, I had a lot of help around me, so for me I wanted to be able to give back."
This profound personal motivation transformed his cosplay hobby into a formidable fundraising engine. Through auctions of custom-made helmets, props, and unique builds inspired by Fallout and other entertainment franchises, Marr has directed substantial funds to charities including Cure Cancer Australia and Four Paws.
To formalise and expand these efforts, he founded the Wasteland Collective. This group unites makers from across Australia and New Zealand to collaborate on charity builds and organise giveaways, amplifying their philanthropic impact.
Recognition from Hollywood and Home
Marr's meticulous attention to detail has garnered attention far beyond local convention crowds. The producers of the Fallout TV series took notice, commissioning him to build a T-60 power armour suit for the show's Australian premiere in Sydney last year.
Working against a tight deadline with assistance from his son, Marr delivered the suit—a full-circle moment for the father who began this journey a decade ago simply to create cool costumes for his children.
Despite this international recognition, Marr remains grounded in his Newcastle community. He is currently preparing to showcase more of his creations at the city's inaugural major pop culture convention, Newy-Con, scheduled from the 27th of February to the 1st of March at the Newcastle Showground.
Building a Lasting Legacy
For Doug Marr, the ultimate goal extends beyond crafting impressive armour.
"I've always wanted to help people," he stated. "I also wanted to be able to be a role model for my children to show that it's better to give than to take. And if you have the ability to give, then you should give... so I wanted to be able to leave behind a legacy that my kids will be able to look back and say, 'Oh look what Dad did, maybe I can do that as well.'"
Through his unique fusion of trade skills, creative passion, and charitable spirit, this Newcastle dad continues to turn science fiction into tangible social good, inspiring both his family and the wider community.
