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Warrandyte teenager, Sam Hume, wants to become a pilot. But he also sees magic as part of his future.
The 13-year-old won two awards at the Melbourne Magic Festival in July. He won first place in the Australian Junior Close Up Magic Competition and third place for Stage Magic.
“I was pleased that I improved from second place last year—I’m always trying to improve,” Sam told the Diary. “I’m a bit of a perfectionist but magic is also just fun to practice. Magic is probably always going to be a hobby for me.”
Known as “Sam the Magic Man”, the Year 8 student is no stranger to the spotlight. He has showcased his magic tricks in talent shows since primary school and also took second place at his high school’s annual talent show last year.
Sam first became interested in magic when he was about 11 years old. Before long he started magic lessons and has since developed an “obsession” with cards.
“I found this book that said how to do really simple card tricks and after that I pretty much fell in love with the cards. Just the handling of the cards and the control you have—it’s something of an obsession actually.”
Sam usually practices for a couple of hours every day and his tricks also involve illusions, rubber bands and coins.
Sam said his favourite part of performing is watching the audience’s reactions.
He performs his magic tricks at corporate functions and children’s birthday parties—and believe it or not, he says adults are easier to trick.
“You get some people who are just astonished and then you get others who are just frustrated trying to figure out how you did it,” Sam said. “Kids are more visual, whereas adults take more notice of it and they appreciate it if you show more skill. Adults are more demanding with skills, but they are easier to fool.”
He meets with the Australian Institute of Magic every fortnight to discuss and learn new tricks with other like-minded magicians.
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Brianna Piazza 