By Eugene Boisvert for ABC News
The Cast in Blue sculpture after it had googly eyes put on it. Photo: Supplied: Facebook/Amelia Vanderhorst
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.
Amelia Vanderhorst is charged with one count of damaging property over the incident, which allegedly occurred on 13 September.
According to court documents, police allege Vanderhorst was "recklessly indifferent" as to whether her conduct damaged the sculpture.
Police estimated the damage at less than A$2500.
Controversy over cost
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.
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.
Cast in Blue was installed in July and is known locally as the "Blue Blob".
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.
Then on 15 September, council said stickers were placed on the sculpture but the adhesive could not be removed without damaging its surface.
Vanderhorst was charged over the incident.
Costs to be pursued
Appearing in Mount Gambier Magistrates Court via phone on Tuesday, Vanderhorst did not enter a plea.
"I am very sick at the moment," she told the court.
"I'm just really high on pain meds as well."
Magistrate Koula Kossiavelos advised Vanderhorst to find a lawyer before her next appearance in December.
At the time of the September damage to the statue, Mayor Lynette Martin said the council would be pursuing costs from the person responsible.
"People don't have to like it, but they don't have to be creating wilful 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.
"Rectifying the damage will result in significant repair expenses."
- ABC News
