A 19-year-old woman from Mount Gambier has been charged with property damage after allegedly placing googly eyes on the city's controversial Cast in Blue sculpture. Amelia Vanderhorst appeared in Mount Gambier Magistrates Court for the first time on Tuesday, facing one count of damaging property related to the incident that allegedly occurred on September 13.

According to court documents, police allege that Vanderhorst was "recklessly indifferent" as to whether her conduct would damage the sculpture. Police have estimated the damage at less than $2,500. The artwork, which sits next to the Cave Garden in Mount Gambier, has become a focal point of local controversy since its installation.

The Cast in Blue sculpture has faced significant public backlash both for its appearance and its hefty price tag of $136,000. The controversy has been amplified by the timing of the purchase, as the City of Mount Gambier increased rates by 10 percent in 2024 and by 8 percent in 2025. The artwork is intended to represent a mythical version of the megafauna that once inhabited the South East region, rendered in the distinctive blue color of the city's iconic Blue Lake.

Installed in July, the sculpture quickly earned the local nickname "Blue Blob" among residents. The artwork's troubles began almost immediately after installation, with chunks of paint being chipped off approximately two weeks later. Despite the council providing CCTV footage to South Australia Police, no charges were filed in connection with that initial vandalism incident.

The situation escalated on September 15 when the council reported that stickers had been placed on the sculpture. Officials discovered that the adhesive could not be removed without causing damage to the sculpture's surface, leading to the charges against Vanderhorst. The googly eyes incident represents the most recent in a series of vandalism attempts targeting the controversial public art piece.

During her court appearance via phone on Tuesday, Vanderhorst did not enter a plea and explained her situation to the court. "I am very sick at the moment," she told the magistrate. "I'm just really high on pain meds as well." Magistrate Koula Kossiavelos advised Vanderhorst to secure legal representation before her next court appearance scheduled for December.

Mayor Lynette Martin has taken a firm stance on pursuing costs from those responsible for damaging the sculpture. At the time of the September damage, Martin stated that the council would seek reimbursement from the perpetrator. "People don't have to like it, but they don't have to be creating willful damage in this way," Martin said. "I think it's inappropriate and disrespectful and there's many members of our community who've embraced Cast in Blue."

The mayor emphasized the financial impact of the vandalism, noting that "rectifying the damage will result in significant repair expenses." This stance reflects the city's commitment to protecting public art investments, despite the mixed reception from the community. The sculpture continues to divide opinion among residents, with some viewing it as an innovative addition to the city's cultural landscape while others see it as an expensive mistake.