A 19-year-old Mount Gambier woman has appeared in court accused of damaging the city's controversial Cast in Blue sculpture by sticking googly eyes on it. Amelia Vanderhorst faces one count of damaging property over the incident, which allegedly occurred on September 13.
According to court documents, police allege Vanderhorst was 'recklessly indifferent' as to whether her conduct damaged the sculpture. The artwork, known locally as the 'Blue Blob', was installed in July and cost the City of Mount Gambier $136,000 at a time when rates increased by 10 per cent in 2024 and 8 per cent in 2025.
The sculpture received public backlash over its appearance and cost. It is meant to represent a mythical version of the megafauna once found in the South East, coloured after the city's iconic Blue Lake. Two weeks after installation, chunks of paint were chipped off, but no one was charged despite CCTV being passed to police.
On September 15, the council reported that stickers were placed on the sculpture, and the adhesive could not be removed without damaging its surface. Mayor Lynette Martin said the council would pursue costs from the person responsible, stating, 'People don't have to like it, but they don't have to be creating wilful damage.'
Vanderhorst appeared in Mount Gambier Magistrates Court via phone on Tuesday and did not enter a plea. Magistrate Koula Kossiavelos advised her to find a lawyer before her next appearance in December.
