{"id":269455,"date":"2025-11-07T19:37:10","date_gmt":"2025-11-07T19:37:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/269455\/"},"modified":"2025-11-07T19:37:10","modified_gmt":"2025-11-07T19:37:10","slug":"woman-caught-vandalising-iconic-sculpture-worth-68000-with-googly-eyes-news-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/269455\/","title":{"rendered":"Woman caught vandalising iconic sculpture worth \u00a368,000 with googly eyes | News World"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"\"
\n\t\tThe Cast in Blue sculpture defaced with large plastic eyes in Mount Gambier in southern Australia (Picture: Facebook\/Amelia Vanderhorst)<\/p>\n

A woman was accused of \u2018reckless indifference\u2019 after defacing an iconic Australian piece of art with googly looking eyes.<\/p>\n

Amelia Vanderhorst placed the large plastic stickers on the Cast in Blue sculpture in the city of Mount Gambier, according to local news reports.<\/p>\n

The 19-year-old was caught on CCTV defacing the artwork, which the city now faces an estimated A$2,500 to repair, after removing the eyes caused damage to the paintwork.<\/p>\n

Mayor Lynette Martin said in September the stickers were not \u2018harmless fun\u2019 but \u2018wilful damage\u2019 and added the council would pursue costs from those responsible.<\/p>\n

She said: \u2018I think it\u2019s inappropriate and disrespectful and there\u2019s many members of our community who\u2019ve embraced Cast in Blue.<\/p>\n

\u2018Rectifying the damage will result in significant repair expenses.\u2019<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Woman
\n\t\tNicknamed \u2018Blue Bob\u2019, the sculpture was erected in July this year to mixed reception (Picture: City of Mount Gambier)<\/p>\n

Ms Vanderhorst told a court she was ill and did not enter a plea. She was accused of being \u2018recklessly indifferent\u2019 to the damage she had caused and was advised to get herself legal representation in time for her next hearing in December.<\/p>\n

Appearing at Mount Gambier Magistrates court by phone<\/a> on Tuesday, she told the court she was also \u2018really high on pain meds\u2019, ABC News reported.<\/p>\n

Known locally as \u2018Blue Bob\u2019, the piece was designed as a mythical version of the unique megafauna and inspired by an ancient marsupial found in caves in south east Australia<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"
\n\t\tThe sculpture taped up while being restored following vandalism in September (Picture: City of Mount Gambier)<\/p>\n

The colour is supposed to represent the city\u2019s iconic \u2018blue lake\u2019.<\/p>\n

The sculpture initially attracted a mixed reception for its unusual design andA$136,000 price tag, against a backdrop of increased council rates.<\/p>\n

It was vandalised just two weeks after it was erected in July, when chunks of paint were cut of it.<\/p>\n

However no charges were pursued for that incident, despite police reviewing CCTV footage.<\/p>\n

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For more stories like this, check our news page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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