An Indigenous-Australian artist is pleading with Australia Post for help after her irreplaceable painting worth $4000 became lost in transit over Christmas.Bobbi Lockyer spent more than 100 hours painting a one-of-a-kind commissioned artwork for a customer and, like many of her pieces, sent it via express post.Lockyer, who is based in Darwin, told nine.com.au she was instructed to pack her tube in a cardboard sleeve before paying the postage and sending it away.
Bobbi Lockyer spent over 100 hours painting the one-of-a-kind artwork. (Supplied)
On Christmas Eve, Lockyer’s customer sent a frantic message.
The only thing that had arrived on her doorstep was the empty cardboard sleeve.
“She sends me a picture of the empty cardboard sleeve and my heart just dropped,” Lockyer explained.
“I immediately drove down to the post office on Christmas Eve, it was so busy and I waited in line.”
Lockyer said she was told Australia Post would open up a case and trace the package route to find where the tube containing the painting became lost.
For the past several weeks, it’s been an agonising waiting game.
The only thing that had arrived on the customer’s doorstep was the empty cardboard sleeve. (Supplied)
“It’s heartbreaking for me and for the customer who was expecting this piece and she’s paid this money,” Lockyer said.
“I’ve offered her to redo it. Obviously, it wouldn’t be identical, but I would redo it absolutely or refund her. But I just feel like the accountability from Australia Post has been zero.”
She is waiting, with fading hope, for the painting to be recovered before starting all over again.
Lockyer said she didn’t pay for extra cover on the item.
Extra cover is recommended for items with a higher value.
In a statement shared with nine.com.au, an Australia Post spokesperson said it was in contact with Lockyer.
“Australia Post’s processing and delivery teams work hard to handle every item with care and deliver them safely, however in a network of this size, things do occasionally go wrong,” the spokesperson said.
“We have apologised to the customer and continue to search for the item throughout our network.”
Most Australia Post services come with up to $100 compensation for loss or damages.
Claims for compensation are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
The commissioned piece is worth $4000. (Supplied)
The renowned artist, whose work has been featured at the Australian Open in the past, said the experience has dented her trust in the national postage system.
Lockyer’s studio is in the NT and most of her paintings are commissioned by customers who live interstate.
“There was a lot of tears and I just thought I’m never going to send paintings again through Australia Post,” she said.
“It’s made me worried for future work.”
According to Australia Post, per the Australian Postal Corporation Act 1989, and the Australian Consumer Law, the service “does not accept liability for any consequential or indirect loss or damage arising due to any failure related to our service”.