By Eugene Boisvert for ABC News<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\nThe Cast in Blue sculpture after it had googly eyes put on it.
\nPhoto: Supplied: Facebook\/Amelia Vanderhorst\n<\/p>\n
A 19-year-old Mount Gambier woman has appeared in court for the first time accused of damaging the South Australian city’s controversial Cast in Blue sculpture by sticking googly eyes on it.<\/p>\n
Amelia Vanderhorst is charged with one count of damaging property over the incident, which allegedly occurred on 13 September.<\/p>\n
According to court documents, police allege Vanderhorst was “recklessly indifferent” as to whether her conduct damaged the sculpture.<\/p>\n
Police estimated the damage at less than A$2500.<\/p>\n
Controversy over cost<\/p>\n
The Cast in Blue sculpture received some public backlash over its appearance and because it cost the City of Mount Gambier $136,000 at the same time as rates increased by 10 percent in 2024 and by 8 percent in 2025.<\/p>\n
The artwork is meant to represent a mythical version of the megafauna once found in the South East, but in the colour of the city’s iconic Blue Lake.<\/p>\n
Cast in Blue was installed in July and is known locally as the “Blue Blob”.<\/p>\n
About two weeks after its installation, chunks of paint were chipped off it, however, no-one was charged over that incident, despite the council passing CCTV onto SA Police.<\/p>\n
Then on 15 September, council said stickers were placed on the sculpture but the adhesive could not be removed without damaging its surface.<\/p>\n
Vanderhorst was charged over the incident.<\/p>\n
Costs to be pursued<\/p>\n
Appearing in Mount Gambier Magistrates Court via phone on Tuesday, Vanderhorst did not enter a plea.<\/p>\n
“I am very sick at the moment,” she told the court.<\/p>\n
“I’m just really high on pain meds as well.”<\/p>\n
Magistrate Koula Kossiavelos advised Vanderhorst to find a lawyer before her next appearance in December.<\/p>\n
At the time of the September damage to the statue, Mayor Lynette Martin said the council would be pursuing costs from the person responsible.<\/p>\n
“People don’t have to like it, but they don’t have to be creating wilful damage in this way,” Martin said.<\/p>\n
“I think it’s inappropriate and disrespectful and there’s many members of our community who’ve embraced Cast in Blue.<\/p>\n
“Rectifying the damage will result in significant repair expenses.”<\/p>\n
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